MANNED SPACECRAFT CENTER

More than half a century since its pages served as humanity's first roadmap to the moon, NASA's Apollo 11 flight plan has been relaunched.

NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Bob Hines sent a message from the International Space Station wishing their compatriots on Earth a happy Independence Day.

A new virtual reality experience launches you to the International Space Station, where you join the crew and see Earth like you’ve never seen it before.

Space Center Houston is honoring the dedication of the Apollo 13 crew and the flight controllers in Mission Control at NASA Johnson Space Center who worked around the clock to ensure the crew’s survival and safe return.

HOUSTON – Have you ever wondered why NASA set up camp in Texas? In 1961, NASA announced Houston as home to the Manned Spacecraft Center which would serve as Mission Control Center for the U.S. human space flight program. The ideal site that NASA was looking for at time would meet the following criteria: transportation in ice-free water by barge, a mild climate, all-weather commercial jet service, a Department of Defense (DoD) airbase that could handle military jet aircraft, a university nearby, at least 1,000 acres of land, and property that fell within certain cost parameters. Houston originally came in second place out of 23 potential sites but ultimately won after it was determined the MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa, Fla., NASA’s first choice for the site, would not be closed. According to NowThisWorld, the winning wasn’t a surprise as many politicians at the time were from Texas, including then vice president Lyndon B. Johnson who the space center is named after today.

They Splash Down Into History - Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins SafeSpacecraft Tips Upside Down After LandingHouston Chronicle front page on Thursday July 24, 1969, Evening Edition. Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins are back and safe. Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins are back and safe. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close They Splash Down Into History - Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins SafeSpacecraft Tips Upside Down After Landing 1 / 1 Back to Gallery(As it appeared in the Houston Chronicle Vol. 912 Miles from HonoluluThe spacecraft tipped upside down after splashing into the Pacific 912 miles southwest of Honolulu.