The NASA Johnson Space Center gives visitors a chance to learn about outer space, technology and take a behind-the-scenes tour of NASA to learn about all the human adventures into space. The Space Center in Houston is the only place in the world where visitors can see and learn how astronauts train for their missions, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the complex, and land a space shuttle all in one place!

About the Space Center

The venue was established as the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) in 1961 and the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) is now responsible for the design, development and operation of human space flight. It has been the world leader in human space flight operations for more than three decades.

The Johnson Space Center is the training base and home for astronauts, and is also the site of Mission Control. The venue is an active site for many space operations, including the development, production and delivery of Space Shuttle orbiters, testing of spacecraft associated systems, the integration of experiments for human space flight, and for providing scientific engineering and medical research. The center is also responsible for selecting and training astronauts and the operation of human space flights.

Attractions to Explore at the Houston Space Center

Visitors can explore a number of attractions and exhibits at the Houston Space Center. These include:

• Space Center Theater: Learn about what it takes to be an astronaut, and how astronauts prepare for space flight. The movie is shown on a 5-story tall screen and tells visitors about the training program for astronauts, and also gives visitors a chance to experience weightlessness. Visitor can view the earth from space and see what happens during the takeoff phase.
• NASA Tram Tour: Take a behind-the-scenes journey through NASA’s Johnson Space Center and learn about the Historic Mission Control Center. This is also the place to see astronauts train for upcoming missions.
• Astronaut Gallery: This unparalleled exhibit outside the Space Center Theater features the world’s largest collection of spacesuits and dozens of portraits and crew photos.