Our newest addition launched as part of two NASA missions. As it approaches its landing target, two retro burns are performed to ease the rocket into a safe landing. The core is equipped with extendable landing legs that deploy as the core gets closer to the ground. Together with a second stage, it’s known as the Falcon 9 v1.2 (Block 3). Its nine engines Merlin 1D help it lift payloads into space and land the core safely on the ground. The core itself is about 47.7 meters tall, 3.1 meters in diameter. Walk underneath this marvel of reusable space technology and learn more about how it is making space more accessible. It’s one of only two SpaceX Falcon 9 boosters on display and the first commercial space exhibit for Space Center Houston. In our newest exhibit, the Falcon 9 core, or first stage, B1035 is displayed horizontally and elevated 14 feet off the ground near Independence Plaza. Thanks to the generosity of SpaceX, get an up-close look at that future for yourself. The future of space travel is reusable rockets. As part of its Falcon 9 rocket series, SpaceX has proven it can launch, land and reuse a stage of a rocket. Interactive exhibits show guests the physics behind this impressive, improbable pairing.SpaceX continues this tradition with its reusable rocket program. Inside the plane, guests see, touch and hear the story of the historic plane, NASA 905, from its life as a commercial airliner, through modifications and its ferrying missions. Visitors can appreciate the cramped space astronauts shared for up to two weeks at a time. It was opened and enlarged to allow guests to experience all areas. The shuttle interior was completely renovated. The center found an innovative way to air condition the plane without changing the infrastructure of this huge artifact and providing visitors an authentic experience. The afternoon sun heats the metal side, causing the front landing gear to move. Open-air vestibules allow visitors to assemble as they wait to board each aircraft. Inside the eight-story, 5,500-square-foot structure, two elevators and a stairway provide efficient and ADA-compliant access to all levels of the aircraft, including the flight deck and mid-deck of the shuttle, as well as the 747 shuttle carrier aircraft. Could they be mounted permanently in the historic mated position? Innovation and ingenuity scaled all obstacles, creating a unique, exciting experience for guests. The original plan was to nestle the shuttle and SCA side by side. The project’s challenges didn’t end there. In moving the SCA, 110 power lines were moved. In moving the shuttle, one power line had to be moved.

Moving the massive vehicles was an even more immense task. It took 40 days to take NASA 905 apart at Ellington Field.

Boeing engineers had never disassembled one if their jets outside a hangar. Getting the shuttle replica from Florida to Houston was a mammoth undertaking, and the shuttle replica needed extensive renovations to be displayed.Ī week before the new shuttle exhibit broke ground, Space Center Houston received a mate for its shuttle replica – the original and historic shuttle carrier aircraft NASA 905. The science and space learning center was honored to display this reminder of the Space Shuttle Program. Shortly after the last shuttle mission landed in 2011, Space Center Houston acquired a 25-year-old high-fidelity shuttle replica. Explore our photo gallery chronicling the creation of the international landmark Independence Plaza as well as the journey of historic NASA 905 and shuttle replica Independence to Space Center Houston. Creating Independence Plaza was a feat of engineering in itself.

Nasa houston tour