Explore the Stars at Space Center Houston
Blast off for fun this summer at Space Center Houston. The official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center isn’t far from Lago Mar which means you can spend a lot of time there. The Center offers suggested itineraries, but we thought we’d list a few of our favorites.
This exhibit is a new permanent exhibit showcasing the Artemis Program which will take humans back to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. The exhibit features interactive displays and hands-on activities, including a moonwalking spacesuit, the difference between the Artemis and Apollo lunar landing sites, photo opportunities and more.
For an extra fee, you can board a tram and explore the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC). Three tours are offered. The George W.S. Abbey Rocket Park tour takes you to see one of only three of the remaining Saturn V rockets along with other rockets that propelled space exploration. See where astronauts train for missions during the Astronaut Training Facility tour. View Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control during the Historic Mission Control tour.
Explore the science behind spacecraft and see actual rockets and lunar samples, including the Apollo 17 Command Module, a full-size Skylab training module, moon rocks and more.
This impressive exhibit features the replica shuttle Independence mounted on a full-size shuttle carrier aircraft. Explore the flight deck, crew compartments and payload bay to get an up-close look at the intricacies of space shuttles.
Discover the challenges of future Martian exploration and witness the latest discoveries from the Mars rovers during your virtual visit to the Red Planet. Engage in hands-on activities that simulate life on Mars, including growing plants in the Martian soil and designing a habitat for human colonization.
International Space Station Gallery
Enter the International Space Station Gallery to gain insight into the daily lives of astronauts living and working in space. View actual flown artifacts, including space suits, equipment and experiments conducted on board the ISS.
While touring the International Space Station Gallery, be sure to take in this 20-minute live show presented by Mission Briefing Officers. You’ll get a glimpse of the life and challenges space station astronauts deal with daily. You might even get to be part of the show.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy breathtaking footage of spacewalks, rocket launches and the wonders of the universe on a massive five-story screen.
Sign up for the family for special events at the Space Center. See special presentations, meet astronauts and attend lectures by some of the greatest minds in science. Overnight experiences offer an opportunity to camp out under the stars while enjoying hands-on activities.
Visitor Information
Space Center Houston is located at 1601 E. NASA Parkway. Tickets are $29.95 for ages 12 and up, $27.95 for seniors ages 65 and up, $24.95 for ages 4 to 11 and free for ages 3 and under. Want to save money and be a VIP? Invest in a membership. Check the summer hours here and plan your visit. Don’t forget, Lag Mar is so close, you will have plenty of extra time to explore the final frontier.
Posted on Monday, July 24, 2023