The 747 shuttle carrier aircraft at Independence Plaza was originally used by NASA to ferry the space shuttles across the country.
The restored Apollo Mission Control Center was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985.
The Saturn V rocket displayed in the Starship Gallery is one of only three remaining flight-ready rockets of its kind in the world.
The museum houses the Lunar Roving Vehicle trainer used by astronauts to practice driving on the moon.
Independence Plaza is the only place in the world where the public can enter both a shuttle replica and the 747 carrier aircraft.
The facility includes a 'Moon Rock' that visitors can touch, retrieved during the Apollo 17 mission.
The building's design integrates significant amounts of interactive, STEM-based educational exhibits for younger visitors.
The center is located on the campus of Johnson Space Center, which covers 1,620 acres.
Space Center Houston is the official visitor center for NASA Johnson Space Center, the primary hub for U.S. human spaceflight operations. It houses the largest collection of space artifacts in the southwestern United States, including over 400 space-flown items. The facility features the historic Mission Control Room used during the Gemini and Apollo programs, which has been restored to its 1969 appearance. Visitors can view the Independence Plaza, which displays a full-scale high-fidelity space shuttle replica mounted on top of a 747 shuttle carrier aircraft. The museum offers tram tours that provide access to the working grounds of Johnson Space Center, including the Astronaut Training Facility. It serves as an active research and education center dedicated to the history and future of space exploration. The site showcases the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and multiple crew-capable spacecraft modules. It acts as a gateway for the public to interact with ongoing space program developments.
Inside the fuselage of the NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft at Independence Plaza.
Arrive at the entrance early to secure a tram tour reservation, as these frequently reach capacity by midday.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes, as the facility involves significant walking between exhibit hangars and outdoor displays.
Download the official app before arrival to access real-time schedules for tram tours and special presentations.
Attempting to see everything in under three hours, which leads to skipping the extensive tram tour and the Starship Gallery.
Closed annually on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Casual, respectful attire; photography is permitted in most areas, though some restricted zones on tram tours prohibit cameras.
