For 30 years, the visitors center at The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in southeast Texas has chronicled NASA’s voyages of human spaceflight and endeavored to inspire people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Now, the nonprofit Space Center Houston—the official visitors center—is pursing an ambitious master plan to transform the 100-acre site as humankind enters a new era of supporting space exploration with NASA’s Artemis missions that will place the first woman and person of color on the moon’s surface.
“We’ve pivoted to concentrate on human space exploration past, present, and future,” says William T. Harris, the complex’s president and CEO. “The new vision and our new brand ideology underscore a strategic plan that’s been in the works since 2017 to bring space and people closer together. After 30 years, we needed a new brand identity to reflect who we are now and where we’re going in the future.”
With the global space industry projected to grow nearly five times its current size by 2050, Space Center Houston recently provided a glimpse of a renewed facility—including two massive structures—the attraction says will give guests front-row seats in the development of rovers, robotics, and lunar landers. The addition will also provide a look at two enclosed, simulated cosmic terrains: one of the moon, and the other of Mars. An exhibit hall elevated over the two terrains will allow the public to observe astronaut training firsthand while experiencing what’s ahead in space exploration as humans return to the Moon and visit Mars.
“NASA established the Artemis Accords, building on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. More than a dozen nations have signed on at this point. This is why it’s critical for us to empower people of all ages and backgrounds to take part in science learning ... to enable innovation and space exploration.”
In addition to the simulated surfaces of the moon and Mars, the Lunar/Mars facility will include labs to design and test instruments and techniques for surface exploration, and support testing lunar and Mars rovers on a one-mile indoor track.
“We know people learn best by doing,” says Harris. “We plan to expand our immersive learning experiences with the addition of the Lunar/Mars facility. We want you to be a part of space exploration.” He adds that with new ambitions, new challenges, and new players, including commercial space partners, Space Center Houston will focus on facilitating new triumphs in space. Further details about the center’s new plans are anticipated later in 2023.
