Touring Apollo MOCR at Johnson Space Center

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Author	Topic: Touring Apollo MOCR at Johnson Space Center
Dhb Member Posts: 31 From: Elk, Wa., USA Registered: Jan 2015	posted 10-04-2024 08:43 AM My wife and I are planning a trip to the Johnson Space Center. I have looked through the Space Center Houston website and it gave some good information, but I thought you all here may be able to help guide me to my interests. They are the Mission Control Center for the Gemini/Apollo flights. Anyone know if there is a special tour that goes behind the scenes at the MOCR and Staff Support Rooms? Are there enough displays and exhibits covering the Apollo era for someone like me to enjoy? I like the Space Science, Mars planning stuff, but what really fuels my interest is Mission Control. In order to go through the Center visiting areas at a leisurely pace can it be done in one day, or should I plan on two days? I might add: I see Space Center Houston has a Historic Mission Control Center tram tour? The description really doesn't give details on what is involved. Anyone out there did this tour? Thanks for your input!
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 53267 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 10-04-2024 09:20 AM Since 2019 when the restoration of Historic Mission Control was completed, all access to the room is through Space Center Houston tours and is limited to the gallery overlooking the front room. Whether taken there by tram (or, if and when offered, special tours) the experience is the same. You are seated in the gallery (which was also restored to its original appearance) and watch a narrated recreation of the Apollo 11 landing through the glass windows. There is no access to enter the front room or tour support rooms. If your only interest is seeing the Historic Mission Control room, then a one-day visit should be fine, as the tour is on a schedule and you are not allowed to linger in the gallery. Space Center Houston does have a number of Apollo artifacts on display, including the Apollo 17 command module, a moon rock vault and, by tram to Rocket Park, the only remaining Saturn V rocket comprised of flight hardware. The center also has a second tram tour (when offered) to view the astronaut trainers in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility. Depending on what day(s) you choose to go, you can also hear from and meet a former space shuttle-era astronaut. If those additional opportunities appeal to you (and I've omitted Independence Plaza with the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on display), you may want to plan on being there two days.
Dhb Member Posts: 31 From: Elk, Wa., USA Registered: Jan 2015	posted 10-04-2024 09:46 AM Thanks Robert, that was helpful, we'll probably plan for two days, as mentioned I am kinda interested in the other aspects of NASA, but my wife is more than I. I see there is a membership that one can sign up for. 115 bucks for two people, seems like we may go that route as well. I think that covers admission if I'm reading it correctly?
Jim Behling Member Posts: 1941 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010	posted 10-04-2024 07:55 PM quote: Originally posted by Dhb: I like the Space Science, Mars planning stuff... There is little of that. It is highly astronaut centric. A day is plenty of time.
Dhb Member Posts: 31 From: Elk, Wa., USA Registered: Jan 2015	posted 10-06-2024 09:12 AM Robert, you mention in your reply above that there is no access to the MOCR other than the gallery and whether taken there by tram or the NASA VIP tour the experience is the same. I wanted to get clarification on this. The VIP tour only gets you into the MOCR gallery? And at least not a walk around inside the MOCR? And no viewing the Staff Support Rooms?
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 53267 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 10-06-2024 11:47 AM Yes, to the best of my knowledge, when they finished the restoration, it was agreed that generally no one would have access to the inside of the MOCR in order to keep it from needing another restoration in 50 years. If there is an exception, then it is limited to the perimeter of the room. No one* gets to sit at the consoles any longer. (*Unless perhaps your name is Gene Kranz or Gerry Griffin.) There has never been any access to the support rooms other than the press being allowed in to see the consoles being removed during the restoration (and then it was only the simulation control room).

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