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Author
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Topic: NASA's Historic Mission Control (Houston)
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46569
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-28-2019 08:45 AM
   
collectSPACE Houston, we have a restoration! Apollo 11 Mission Control reopensNASA's Mission Control is ready to land humans on the moon again, multiple times a day. The Apollo-era Mission Operations Control Room (MOCR, pronounced "moh-ker"), a National Historic Landmark since 1985, has been restored to appear as it did when astronauts first walked on the moon 50 years ago. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday morning (June 28) marked the completion of the restoration and the restart of the room's use, now to re-stage the Apollo 11 first moon landing during daily public tours at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46569
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-28-2019 07:41 PM
Today's (June 28) ribbon-cutting ceremony included Apollo flight directors Gene Kranz and Glynn Lunney, flight controllers Ed Fendell, Spencer Gardner and Bill Reeves, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, Johnson Space Center director Mark Geyer, Space Center Houston CEO William Harris, NASA Historic Preservation Officer Sandra Tetley and Congressman Brian Babin, among others.Photos credit: NASA  
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OLDIE
Member Posts: 305
From: Portsmouth, England
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 06-29-2019 04:02 AM
As a volunteer, working in a museum myself, I understand the constraints that archivists and conservationists work under. Having seen the pics of the restorations, I have to take my hat off to those guys (and gals) for doing such a magnificent job. Well done. |
ringo67
Member Posts: 193
From: Seekonk, Mass., USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 06-29-2019 03:09 PM
This is really beautiful restoration. Congratulations to everyone involved.I have a question, though. When I read the restoration document plan it mentioned returning the MOCR to its condition during Apollo 15. But looking at the items being placed on the consoles, it looks like they've dressed it for Apollo 11. Is this is temporary change because of the 50th anniversary, or has the period the MOCR is to be restored to been changed?
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46569
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-29-2019 03:41 PM
The overall restoration was to return the room to its Apollo 11 appearance.The consoles, however, were restored to their Apollo 15 configuration because that was considered the pinnacle of the program's technology and it was the mission for which the most documentation still exists. The room still displays the emblem plaques for all of the Apollo missions, has the Apollo 17 flown flag display at the front of the room and still has the Apollo 13 mirror display, the latter at the personal request of Jim Lovell. |
ringo67
Member Posts: 193
From: Seekonk, Mass., USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 06-30-2019 11:29 PM
Thanks for clearing that up for me, Robert. |
Skylon
Member Posts: 308
From:
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 07-01-2019 08:56 AM
No shuttle program patches for those missions this room supported? Or will they be added later? I realize the goal was to restore the room to its "Apollo Era" glory, but the display is already a little hodge-podge with Apollo 15's technology, Apollo 11 displays and patches running up to Apollo 17. And I don't think that's a bad thing. Those missions are as much a part of the room's history, and they really would not be too intrusive to the viewing experience. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46569
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-01-2019 09:02 AM
The shuttle emblems have been moved to the hallway that runs parallel to the viewing gallery, such that they are out of sight of the public but remain in the room.Here is a photo from when they were being relocated:  |
mf451
Member Posts: 70
From: NY, NY
Registered: Nov 2014
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posted 07-01-2019 09:38 AM
Robert, is there any word on tour access to the newly restored facility? I'm guessing Level 9 will no longer have the same amount of access, which is understandable (i.e. walking among and sitting at the consoles). But if Level 9 goes in the room, but only to the front, I almost think the regular tour would be better, assuming that will still go into the viewing room. I bet the view from the back will be much better than from the front. Any info on tours? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46569
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-01-2019 10:09 AM
The Level 9 tour will include access to the room, but only on the floor in front of the trench. A new electric fence has been installed that signals security if anyone tries to approach the consoles.I do not know if Level 9 has been amended to include the visitor experience in the gallery or if you are left to do that on the tram tour separately. |
NeilPearson
Member Posts: 170
From: UK
Registered: May 2013
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posted 07-01-2019 04:36 PM
What a great job they've done. It looks like time has stood still and the room is waiting for the guys to take up their stations. If Buzz visits, I'm sure he'd describe it as a "magnificent restoration"!I'm glad I took the opportunity to do the Level 9 tour in 2014 to have the chance to sit amongst that history. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46569
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-21-2019 03:51 PM
From Johnson Space Center on Facebook: "...the Eagle has landed." The Apollo 11 Lunar Module touched down on the surface of the Moon at 3:18 p.m. CDT on July 20, 1969. At the exact same time 50 years later, Apollo 11 flight controllers returned to their consoles in celebration of the Apollo 50th anniversary.  
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drifting to the right
Member Posts: 133
From:
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 07-21-2019 07:46 PM
Do I see a few pocket protectors? Seriously, this is a gathering of eagles, and I wish that everyone present 50 years ago could have been there. |
sca
New Member Posts: 8
From: Coralville, IA, USA
Registered: Aug 2013
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posted 07-25-2019 11:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
I do not know if Level 9 has been amended to include the visitor experience in the gallery or if you are left to do that on the tram tour separately.
I did the Level 9 tour on Jul. 23 and found that the tour has been amended to include the visitor experience in the gallery before allowing access to the room. Once in the room, you have access to the entire hallway on the side with the Sim rooms, the entire front of the room, and up about as far as the Apollo 13 mirror on the other side. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46569
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-06-2019 05:20 PM
TIME Magazine has named the Apollo Mission Control Center one of the Coolest Places of 2019. Astronauts get all the glory, but true STEM geeks know the people at mission control are superstars, too. Don’t believe us? Take a tour of the Apollo Mission Control Center. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46569
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-09-2021 11:08 AM
Space Center Houston tram tours of NASA's Historic Mission Control resume on Saturday, July 10 after being temporarily halted by the pandemic. A free timed ticket is required to visit Apollo Mission Control Center. Guests can get a timed ticket the day of their visit through the Space Center Houston app. Timed tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. |
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