Space Center Houston is the official visitors’ center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center. This was Mission Control for many significant space flights since the 1960s, including the first moon landing. Today, visitors can take a tour of the grounds and learn about life in space. It’s the number one tourist destination in Houston.
The Johnson Space Center was originally called the Center for Human Spaceflight, and later known as Mission Control. It was built in 1961 as part of President John F. Kennedy’s goal to get a man on the moon by the end of the ’60s. NASA used it as a center for research and astronaut training. During flights, including the historic moon landing, the center also served as ground control. “Houston, the eagle has landed” were the first words spoken on the moon. The center still plays a central role for NASA as Mission Control and the training ground for the United States Astronaut Corps.
