Launching in the fall of 2011, Space Center Houston is introducing the New Discount Tire NASA Tram Tour. Space Center Houston, in partnership with Discount Tire Company and NASA, is reinventing the classic behind-the-scenes tour of Johnson Space Center.
To keep pace with the rapid evolution of new and ongoing programs at NASA, the New Discount Tire NASA Tram Tour will highlight astronaut training for the International Space Station, development of deep space manned missions and advances in space robotic technologies. Exciting new exploration vehicles will be brought out of NASA labs and to the forefront of regular tour routes. "Visitors will witness the leading edge of NASA technology. The next time they see this equipment it will be on the surface of another planet or possibly an asteroid!" said Jack Moore, Public Relations at Space Center Houston. "We want our guest to feel like they are part of history in the making." Guests on the New Discount Tire NASA Tram Tour will see engineers, scientists, and astronauts shaping the future of exploration on a daily basis.
The reboot of the NASA tour builds on the longstanding relationship Space Center Houston celebrates with Discount Tire Company. Larry Allen, Vice President of Discount Tire Company, added "We believe it is important to share the remarkable history and the bold future of crewed spaceflight with Space Center's visitors. We are proud to be part of the NASA tour and we are very excited about the coming changes."
In addition to the upgraded tour experience, historic locations, such as the famed Apollo Mission Control Center and the impressive Saturn V Moon rocket, will continue to be key parts of the experience. Amidst the exciting new changes, Richard Allen, President and CEO of Space Center, plans to preserve certain hallmarks from the classic tours. "We are exploring incredible new technologies, but we want to balance that with the personal touch our guests currently enjoy. We are very proud to relate NASA's story and we want the New Discount Tire NASA Tram Tour to deliver an exciting and educational experience to each our visitors."
ABOUT DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY
With more than 800 stores in 23 states, Discount Tire Company has grown to become the world's largest independent tire and wheel retailer today. Discount Tire offers the largest tire and custom wheel selection of any tire retailer. The company sells leading brands such as Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone, Yokohama, Kumho, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, Hankook, Falken, along with Discount Tire exclusive brands such as Silver Edition and Roadhugger. Discount Tire also offers wheels from Enkei, Konig, Liquidmetal, TSW, Akuza and exclusive brands including MB Wheels and G-games.
ABOUT SPACE CENTER HOUSTON
As the Official Visitor Center for NASA's Johnson Space Center, Space Center Houston is the only place on earth that gives guests an out-of-this-world journey through human adventures in space. Since 1992, this $75 million, 180,000 square foot complex has entertained and informed over 11 million guests from every corner of the globe. Space Center Houston features a multitude of permanent exhibits, attractions, theatres and exhibits. In addition, the venue presents an amazing array of traveling exhibits and astounding events created exclusively by SCH's own creative exhibit team. Space Center Houston is open every day of the year, with the exception of October 8 and December 25. Space Center Houston is located at 1601 NASA Parkway Houston, TX 77058; approximately 25 miles South of downtown Houston in the NASA/Clear Lake area. Visit www.spacecenter.org