Space Center Houston, Where Apollo History Lives On

Space Center Houston, where Apollo history lives on

Space Center Houston and Apollo Era Subject Matter Experts on Hand William T. Harris, Space Center Houston, president and CEO  Harris oversees the strategic direction of the nonprofit science and space exploration learning center, Space Center Houston.  The center is leading the fundraising for the $5 million restoration campaign to restore Historic Mission Control by the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 in July 2019.  The nonprofit will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 with a Thought Leader Series featuring Apollo era astronauts, flight directors and flight controllers, a space film series, a moon art exhibit, and Pop-up Science Labs with hands-on STEM learning experiences. A public celebration event will be held at Space Center Houston on July 20, 2019.  As the next step in its ongoing fundraising campaign to restore Historic Mission Control, Space Center Houston will host a fall luncheon To the Moon and Beyond on Oct. 23. The luncheon will honor Apollo flight director Gene Kranz. Paul Spana, Space Center Houston, exhibits director, space historian  Spana supports the planning of the Historic Mission Control visitor experience. He has contributed to the planning of the NASA Tram Tour experience to the Historic Mission Control Viewing Room and the screens inside Historic Mission Control representing milestones of the Apollo 11 mission.  He can speak to the restoration being done inside the Historic Mission Control. Illuminated flight control consoles and wall displays will recreate an authentic Apollo-era control room configuration. When completed, the room will display a historically accurate look of the iconic control for future generations.  Spana has more than 30 years of museum experience and has managed the development of the multi- exhibit complex Independence Plaza, the biggest project of the nonprofit Space Center Houston since opening in 1992.

William “Bill” Reeves NASA CAREER (1967-2001) APOLLO EXCERPTS:  Flight Controller, Flight Control Division, Lunar Module Systems Branch, Electrical and Instrumentation Systems Section (1967-1973)

Robert J. “Bob” Wren NASA CAREER (1962-2000) APOLLO EXCERPTS:  Senior Structural Dynamics Engineer and Manager of Vibration and Acoustic Test Facility (1962-1968)  Manager for Apollo S/C 2TV-1 CSM (Command and Service Module) Test Program (1968)  Manager for Apollo LM-2 (Lunar Module) Drop Test Program (1968-1969)  Manager for Structural Design (Saturn-Lifted and Shuttle-Lifted Space Station) (1969-1975)

A collection that brings the Apollo era to life Give your readers a close look at the legacy of the Apollo program within Space Center Houston’s museum collection. See the Apollo 17 command module, the last crewed missions to the moon, touch a moon rock and visit Historic Mission Control. Discover The Real Thing.

Space Center Houston’s Apollo era exhibits and artifacts include:  The actual presidential podium used during President John F. Kennedy’s speech, “We choose to go to the moon,” given at Rice University, Houston, Texas in 1962.  A spacesuit collection featuring Commander Pete Conrad’s spacesuit worn during his Apollo 12 lunar walk, with moon dust still on it.  Apollo era flight director Gene Kranz’ memorable red, white and silver sequined vest worn while directing Apollo 17, the last mission to land on the moon.  The Lunar Roving Vehicle Trainer that astronauts used to prepare for missions to the moon. The vehicle, which has no steering wheel or brakes, was used for Apollo 15-17 missions.  A prototype of the Apollo 13 lithium hydroxide canister device, which was fashioned together by the astronauts with the help of the engineers in Mission Control. Made up of a flight manual cover, socks and duct tape, the device filtered the dangerous levels of carbon dioxide in the lunar module.  The Lunar Vault, kept in a pure nitrogen environment, which holds the largest collection of rocks, core samples, sand and dust on public display.  An actual moon rock you can touch – one of only eight touchstones in the world.  The Lunar Module LTA-8, which helped with the development of the first Lunar Module flown in space during Apollo 9.  Space Center Houston takes visitors to Historic Mission Control at NASA Johnson Space Center aboard the NASA Tram Tour.