In July 1969, millions of people across the globe watched in awe as Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed their Lunar Module on the Moon’s Sea of Tranquility.  Stepping onto the lunar surface, Armstrong gave perhaps one of history’s most famous quotes; “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” The Apollo Program, with its 6 successful lunar landings, is often cited as the greatest technological achievement in human history. Visitors are invited to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the Lunar Landing and all of NASA’s Apollo era missions up close and personal at Space Center Houston. Explore and discover unique artifacts like no place on Earth. Really.

1.) Presidential Podium–“We Choose to Go to the Moon”

In a famous speech at Rice University on Sept. 12 1962, behind this very podium, President John. F Kennedy boldly stated his challenge to put a man on the Moon by the end of the decade. The mission was a success with Apollo 11, and this unique piece of history can be viewed on permanent display featured as part of Space Center Houston’s “On Human Destiny” film presentation.

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We have been offered quite a few artifacts over the past years. From spare parts for a Saturn V Moon rocket to a cigar butt smoked by a former flight director, it is always interesting to see what shows up at our front door. While each item carries with it an interesting piece of history, it doesn’t always meet the criteria for our permanent collection. However, there are those rare and amazing pieces you just can’t pass up.

Moments after the explosion on Apollo 13, any hope of landing on the Moon was abandoned. Despite the disaster, history would ultimately label Apollo 13 as NASA’s most “successful failure”. Space Center Houston is now honored to host a rare artifact from one of NASA’s finest hours. An artifact that would today be forgotten on the surface on the Moon if things had gone as planned.

(above:)This checklist would have been the guidebook for the Apollo 13 crew while on the Lunar surface.

On a perfect mission, Jim Lovell would have picked up this artifact shortly after landing. It is a collection of pages held together with three metal rings. Although it is marked as the “final copy,” various pages are marked in longhand with last minute notes and reminders. The Apollo 13 Lunar Surface Checklist would have served as the crews guide during the exploration of the lunar surface. Although it conjures up memories of a nearly disastrous mission, it also gives some unique insight to the mission planning and how an alternate reality might have played out. (more…)

Not one, not two, but ALL three Jonas Brothers have autographed this guitar, and YOU can WIN it at Space Center Houston! Come out to SCH to check out the all new jam packed rockfest featuring Jonas Brothers music and dancing from the new Disney Channel movie Camp Rock! While you’re there rockin’ out to the awesome stage performances hosted by Radio Disney 1590 am, you can enter to win this fabulous, one-of-a kind Gibson Melody Maker Jonas Brothers guitar! Your friends will be soooo jealous!! Hurry in for your chance to win, there’s one show only at 2pm every Saturday and Sunday until July 27! Bring your Jonas Brothers’ spirit, and get ready to Rock!

*Camp Rock exhibit sponsored by your Texas Area Ford Dealers!

Camp Rock exhibit is included in Daredevil Discount ticket purchases at spacecenter.org!

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Space Center Houston offers exciting educational Day Camps for children of various ages that are out of this world! Campers will learn in a fun and unique environment where they can explore the wonders of space through hands on activities and one-of-a kind space exhibits.