Changing Earth logo
Search:  

Home >> Travel And Transport



Visiting the Houston Space Center

By: Wayne Gunnstone

The Houston Space Center is the best place for space exploration, especially if you have kids who are budding astronauts or just interested in space, science, or American History. A visit to this legendary landmark is an absolute must if you happen to be there on holiday. You can be sure of a great experience for learning, excitement, and fun!

The Houston Space Center offers a learning experience for both kids and adults alike. Children of all ages will find something to learn and explore space in Kids Space Place made for the budding astronauts. They will enjoy tons of hands-on activities just for kids, while they learn about space, science, and the importance of space exploration.

Age would not be a bar to enjoyment of the Space Center. You would also love the NASA tram tour, which offers exclusive insight of the Space Center. The Johnson Space Center also showcases the mission control that guided the space exploration programs of the earlier Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. Lucky ones among you might get to see actual astronauts training, but even so, you could always see the training facilities like Hanger X.

The Astronaut Gallery at the Space Center gives loads of information on the men and women astronauts who have donned the space suits. Here you would find portraits of astronauts, space suits and a variety of memorabilia. Memorial of astronauts killed in training and actual missions like Apollo One, Challenger, and Columbia is not to be missed.

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to live, sleep, and work in space, visit The Feel of Space exhibit. This interactive presentation allows individuals to see how the astronauts live while in outer space, while a Mission Briefing Officer tells their secrets and answers any questions. You can experience landing an orbiter, exploring the shuttle, or even retrieving a wayward satellite!

The Space Center Theater shows the history of space flight on the big screen. You will see how President Kennedy's daring goal to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade became Neil Armstrong's classic first line, "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". The five-storey screen presents history in larger-than-life form, so that you get transported back through history and into the future of space exploration.

Tailor-made movies showcasing different events and experiences cater to kids and adults alike. The Blast Off Theater shows the meticulous procedure put into place when a space shuttle leaves for the International Space Station. It has many actual behind the scenes activities, and amply shows the activities and emotions in mission control and mission status center.

Whatever your reasons for visiting Houston Space Center, don't miss the great calendar of events. Be sure to stop by the Space Trader for educational and unique mementoes of your trip. From odd offerings like astronaut ice cream to reproductions of newspapers commemorating the historic landing on the moon, you can find anything under the sun at the Space Trader! The center also offers a variety of educational activities, perfect for school groups or a family vacation that is as educational as it is fun. If you are in the Houston area, the space center is approximately 25 miles south of downtown, so it's well within reach on your visit!

About the author

Wayne Gunnstone is the owner of F houston, the best place on the internet for information about houston, For more articles on houston why not visit: www.fdhouston.com/articles
Click here to get your own unique version of this article: Uber Articles directory.

Article Source: http://www.changingearth.org


Please Rate this Article:

 

Not yet Rated

More articles in Home >> Travel And Transport

Powered by Article Dashboard