Space Center Houston

 December 11, 2020 

Today we went to Space Center Houston,
the nonprofit gateway to NASA Johnson Space Center.

The entrance is marked with 2 T38 Falcons.

We were greeted by lots of Christmas Decorations

as they have a Galaxy Lights holiday show going on at night.

As soon as you enter the building you are not sure what to look at first.

So of course, they have an app to enhance your visit

Here Jim is using the app to book the NASA Tram Tour,

our chance to go on site at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC).

"Located on 1,600 acres, JSC is the training base and home to our nation’s astronauts and the site of Mission Control Center, where a talented cadre of flight controllers support the work of our women and men in space."

The tram station sat among these planetary decorations.

We set off on the Tram and saw various buildings such as Mission Operations,

Space Environment Simulation Laboratory, and Mission Control Center Space Station.

(from the outside only)

They also pointed out that Schwinn bicycles have been 

on campus since the 1960s and were ridden by the likes of John Glenn.

"Pedaling their way towards deep space, bicycles have been the go to method. Currently there are about 200 Free Range Bicycles at JSC. Free Range Bicycles belong to nobody, except NASA, and are available for anybody to use."

The tour took us by a Mercury Redstone Rocket with Mercury capsule on top

We also saw Apollo test rocket "Little Joe 2"

The highlight of the tour was going in to see 

a Saturn V rocket.  It is very large, I took this picture from far

away to be able to get the whole picture of the rocket in it.

You enter the building and walk right up to the rocket engines.

And then you take the long walk past each stage of the rocket.

Stage 2

Stage 3

Can you imagine connecting these on the ground?

Or disconnecting while out in space?

The rocket we looked at is the real thing and flight ready.

And all of this was controlled here on the ground in Houston

with this equipment.  We have come a long way in the 

last 50 years when it comes to computers.

The tram tour took us back to Houston Space Center

where went to see the Space Shuttle Independence.

The Space Shuttle is atop of a 747

which is how it was transported.

Here is the cockpit of the Shuttle

looks like there a quite a few things to keep track of.

Jim looking over the shuttle flight deck.

Selfie inside the shuttle

Time for a quiz.  What is this for?

Think about what the shuttle did.

It is the satellite motor cradle, of course.

The shuttle put numerous satellites including

"Chandra X-ray Observatory. The first six TDRS satellites. Two DSCS-III (Defense Satellite Communications System) communications satellites in one mission."

355 people have flown on the NASA Shuttle program 

and they all used this

potty or one just like it.

Here is a video of the Mid Deck to show you

where the potty is on the shuttle.

Here's what is on the mid-deck

Lockers 

Launch and entry suit

Sleeping bag, which is strapped up to the ceiling,

your weightless so if not strapped in you would float around.

Air lock

"The airlock is sized to accommodate two fully suited flight crew members simultaneously. Support functions include airlock depressurization and repressurization, extravehicular activity equipment recharge, liquid-cooled garment water cooling, EVA equipment checkout, donning and communications." 

EMU suit for space walks

 "The Extravehicular Mobility Unit (E.M.U) is an independent anthropomorphic spacesuit that provides environmental protection, mobility, life support, and communications for astronauts performing extravehicular activity (EVA) in Earth orbit. "

And let us not forget the contribution from our neighbor to the north, Canada.

"The remote manipulator system – named Canadarm in honor of the country that built it

 – flew for the first time on Nov. 13, 1981. "

Here's Jim about to jet off into space,

first step walk thru the Orbiter Access Arm, then 

to the White Room and the on board the rocket.

There is one more rocket outside,

Falcon9 by SpaceX

"Falcon 9 is a reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth orbit and beyond. Falcon 9 is the world’s first orbital class reusable rocket. Reusability allows SpaceX to refly the most expensive parts of the rocket, which in turn drives down the cost of space access."

Time to go back inside for some more exhibits.

Let's checkout the Skylab Trainer

Check out the bottom of this astronaut's shoes.

The triangle taps on his shoes allow him to hook into the walls

of the trainer when he does not want to float around.

No signage on this shower situation in the trainer,

apparently they shower in this tube, horizontally.

Now wouldn't that be unique.

And now for something we all remember

Mercury capsule

Gemini missions

Apollo capsule

Apollo Moon landing

After on small step. . . 

Collecting samples of rocks and soil

The Lunar Rover for getting around on the moon.

Behind glass and in nitrogen to preserve them

it's actual moon rocks.

And lunar soil, which is glass-like

and actually the dust that landed on their suits

and persons cut into their suits and skin.

The lunar module

Thanks for joining us in touring

Space Center Houston.