Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center | |
 Top to bottom, left to right: Aerial view of JSC withSpace Center Houston in the foreground,Space Vehicle Mockup Facility,Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center,Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, and theSpace Center Houston Saturn V exhibit. | |
| Abbreviation | JSC |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Space Task Group |
| Formation | November 1, 1961 (1961-11-01)[1] |
| Location | |
| Owner | NASA |
Director | Stephen Koerner (acting)[2] |
| Staff | 3,200 civil service |
| Website | JSC home page |
Formerly called | Manned Spacecraft Center |
TheLyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) isNASA's center forhuman spaceflight inHouston, Texas (originally named theManned Spacecraft Center), where human spaceflight training, research, andflight control are conducted. It was renamed in honor of the late U.S. president and Texas native,Lyndon B. Johnson, by an act of theUnited States Senate on February 19, 1973.
JSC consists of a complex of 100 buildings constructed on 1,620 acres (660 ha) inClear Lake. The center is home toNASA's astronaut corps, and is responsible for training astronauts from both the U.S. and its international partners. It also houses theChristopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center, which has provided theflight control function for every NASA human spaceflight sinceGemini 4 (includingApollo,Skylab,Apollo–Soyuz, andSpace Shuttle). It is popularly known by itsradio call signs "Mission Control" and "Houston".
The original Manned Spacecraft Center grew out of theSpace Task Group (STG) headed byRobert R. Gilruth that was formed to coordinate the U.S. crewed spaceflight program. The STG was based at theLangley Research Center inHampton, Virginia, but reported organizationally to theGoddard Space Flight Center just outsideWashington, D.C. To meet the growing needs of the US human spaceflight program, plans began in 1961 to expand its staff to its own organization, and move it to a new facility. This was constructed in 1962 and 1963 on land donated by theHumble Oil company throughRice University, and officially opened its doors in September 1963. Today, JSC is one of ten majorNASA field centers and the city of Houston's primary cultural footprint, earning it the officialnickname "Space City" in 1967.
Johnson Space Center has its origins inNASA'sSpace Task Group (STG). Starting on November 5, 1958, Langley Research Center engineers underRobert R. Gilruth directedProject Mercury and follow-on crewed space programs. The STG originally reported to theGoddard Space Flight Center organization, with a total staff of 45, including 37 engineers, and eight secretaries andhuman "computers" (women who ran calculations on mechanical adding machines). In 1959, the center added 32 Canadian engineers put out of work by the cancellation of theAvro Canada CF-105 Arrow project.[3] NASA's first administrator,T. Keith Glennan, realized that the growth of the U.S. space program would cause the STG to outgrow the Langley and Goddard centers and require its own location. On January 1, 1961, he wrote a memo to his yet-unnamed successor (who turned out to beJames E. Webb), recommending a new site be chosen.[4] Later that year, when PresidentJohn F. Kennedy set the goal to put a person on theMoon by the end of the decade, it became clear Gilruth would need a larger organization to lead theApollo Program, with new test facilities and research laboratories.[5]
In 1961, Congress held hearings and passed a $1.7 billion 1962 NASA appropriations bill which included $60 million for the new crewed spaceflight laboratory.[6] A set of requirements for the new site was drawn up and released to the Congress and general public. These included: access towater transport by large barges, a moderate climate, availability of all-weather commercial jet service, a well-established industrial complex with supporting technical facilities and labor, close proximity to a culturally attractive community in the vicinity of an institution of higher education, a strong electric utility and water supply, at least 1,000 acres (400 ha) of land, and certain specified cost parameters.[6] In August 1961, Webb asked Associate Director of theAmes Research Center John F. Parsons to head a site-selection team, which included Philip Miller, Wesley Hjornevik, and I. Edward Campagna, the constructionengineer for the STG.[7] The team initially came up with a list of 22 cities based on the climate and water criteria, then cut this to a short list of nine with nearby federal facilities:
Another 14 sites were then added, including two additional Houston sites chosen because of proximity toRice University.[5] The team visited all 23 sites between August 21 and September 7, 1961. During these visits, Massachusetts GovernorJohn A. Volpe and SenatorMargaret Chase Smith headed a delegation which exerted particularly strong political pressure, prompting a personal inquiry to Webb from President Kennedy. Senators and congressmen from sites in Missouri and California similarly lobbied the selection team. Proponents of sites in Boston, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Norfolk, Virginia,[9] went so far as to make separate presentations to Webb and the headquarters staff, so Webb added these additional sites to the final review.[8]
Following its tour, the team identified MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa as its first choice, based on the fact the Air Force was planning to close down its Strategic Air Command operations there. The Houston Rice University site was second, and the Benicia Ordnance Depot in San Francisco was third. Before a decision could be made, however, the Air Force decided not to close MacDill, omitting it from consideration and moving the Rice University site to first place. Webb informed President Kennedy on September 14 of the decision made by him and deputy administratorHugh Dryden in two separate memoranda, one reviewing the criteria and procedures, and the other stating: "Our decision is that this laboratory should be located in Houston, Texas, in close association with Rice University and the other educational institutions there and in that region." The Executive Office and NASA made advance notifications of the award, and the public announcement of the location followed on September 19, 1961.[10] According toTexas A&M University historianHenry C. Dethloff, "Although the Houston site neatly fit the criteria required for the new center, Texas undoubtedly exerted an enormous political influence on such a decision. Lyndon B. Johnson was Vice President and head of the Space Council,Albert Thomas headed the House Appropriations Committee,Bob Casey andOlin E. Teague were members of the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, and Teague headed the Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight. Finally,Sam Rayburn was Speaker of the House of Representatives."[11]
The land for the new facility was 1,000 acres (400 ha) donated to Rice by theHumble Oil company, situated in an undeveloped area 25 mi (40 km) southeast of Houston adjacent toClear Lake nearGalveston Bay.[12][13][14] At the time, the land was used to graze cattle.[10] Immediately after Webb's announcement, Gilruth and his staff began planning the move from Langley to Houston, using what would grow to 295,996 sq ft (27,498.9 m2) of leased office and laboratory space in 11 scattered sites.[7] On November 1, the conversion of the Task Group to MSC became official.[1]
Tracts of land in the vicinity of the Manned Spacecraft Center were either owned or being under exclusive control of Joseph L. Smith & Associates, Inc.[15]NASA purchased an additional 600 acres (240 ha) so the property would face a highway, and the total included another 20 acres (8.1 ha) reserve drilling site.[16] Construction of the center, designed byCharles Luckman, began in April 1962, and Gilruth's new organization was formed and moved to the temporary locations by September.[17] That month, Kennedy gave a speech at Rice University on the U.S. space program. The speech is famous for highlighting the Apollo program, but Kennedy also made reference to the new Center:
What was once the furthest outpost on the old frontier of the West will be the furthest outpost on the new frontier of science and space. Houston, ... with its Manned Spacecraft Center, will become the heart of a large scientific and engineering community. During the next 5 years the National Aeronautics and Space Administration expects to double the number of scientists and engineers in this area, to increase its outlays for salaries and expenses to $60 million a year; to invest some $200 million in plant and laboratory facilities; and to direct or contract for new space efforts over $1 billion from this Center in this City.
— John F. Kennedy, Speech at Rice University, September 12, 1962[18]
The 1,620-acre (6.6 km2) facility was officially opened for business in September 1963.[19][20]
In 1961, as plans forProject Gemini began, it became increasingly clear that theMercury Control Center located at theCape Canaveral Air Force Station launch center would become inadequate to control missions with maneuverable spacecraft such as Gemini and Apollo.Christopher Kraft and three otherflight controllers began studying what was needed for an improved control center, and directed a study contract awarded toPhilco's Western Development Laboratory. Philco bid on and won the contract to build the electronic equipment for the new Mission Control Center, which would be located in Building 30 of MSC rather than Canaveral or theGoddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Construction began in 1963.[21]
The new center had two Mission Operations Control Rooms, allowing training and preparation for a later mission to be carried out while a live mission is in progress. It was brought online for testing purposes during the uncrewedGemini 2 flight in January 1965[22] and the first crewed Gemini flight,Gemini 3 in March 1965, though the Mercury Control Center still retained primary responsibility for control of these flights. It became fully operational for the flight ofGemini 4 the following June, and has been the primary flight control center for all subsequent U.S.crewed space missions from Project Gemini forward.[13][14]
NASA named the center the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center on April 14, 2011.[23]
In addition to housing NASA's astronaut operations, JSC is also the site of the formerLunar Receiving Laboratory, where the first astronauts returning from the Moon werequarantined, and where the majority oflunar samples are stored. The center's Landing and Recovery Division operatedMVRetriever in the Gulf of Mexico for Gemini and Apollo astronauts to practice water egress aftersplashdown.[citation needed]
On February 19, 1973, four weeks after Johnson's death, PresidentRichard Nixon signed into law a Senate resolution renaming the Manned Spacecraft Center in his honor. As Senate Majority Leader, Johnson had sponsored the1958 legislation which created NASA;[24][25] dedication ceremonies were held six months later on August 27.[26]
One of the artifacts displayed at Johnson Space Center is theSaturn V rocket. It is whole, except for the ring between theS-IC and S-II stages, and the fairing between the S-II andS-IVB stages, and made of actual surplus flight-ready articles. It also has real (though incomplete)Apollo command and service modules, intended to fly in thecanceled Apollo 19 mission.[citation needed]
In June 2019, the restored Apollo Mission Control Center was opened for tourists.[27]
In the wake of the January 28, 1986,Space ShuttleChallenger disaster, PresidentRonald Reagan and First LadyNancy Reagan traveled to JSC on January 31 to speak at a memorial service honoring the astronauts. It was attended by 6,000 NASA employees and 4,000 guests, as well as by the families of the crew. During the ceremony, an Air Force band led the singing of "God Bless America" as NASAT-38 Talon supersonic jets flew directly over the scene in the traditionalmissing-man formation. All activities were broadcast live by the national television and radio networks.[citation needed]
A similar memorial service was held at the Johnson Space Center on February 4, 2003, for the astronauts who perished in theSpace ShuttleColumbia disaster three days before, which was attended by PresidentGeorge W. Bush and First LadyLaura Bush. Although that service was broadcast live by the national television and radio networks, it was geared mainly to NASA employees and the families of the astronauts. A second service for the nation was led by Vice-PresidentDick Cheney and his wifeLynne atWashington National Cathedral two days later.[28]
On September 13, 2008,Hurricane Ike hitGalveston as a category 2 hurricane and caused minor damage to the Mission Control Center and other buildings at JSC.[29] The storm damaged the roofs of several hangars for the T-38 Talons atEllington Field.[29]
The Johnson Space Center is home toChristopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center (MCC-H), the NASA control center that coordinates and monitors all human spaceflight for the United States. MCC-H directed allSpace Shuttle missions, and currently directs American activities aboard theInternational Space Station. TheApollo Mission Control Center, aNational Historic Landmark, is in Building 30. From the moment a crewed spacecraft clears its launch tower until it lands back on Earth, it is in the hands of Mission Control. The MCC houses several Flight Control Rooms, from whichflight controllers coordinate and monitor the spaceflights. The rooms have many computer resources to monitor, command, and communicate with spacecraft. When a mission is underway, the rooms are staffed around the clock, usually in three shifts.[citation needed]
JSC handles most of the planning and training of the U.S. astronaut corps and houses training facilities such as theSonny Carter Training Facility and theNeutral Buoyancy Laboratory, a critical component in training astronauts for spacewalks. The Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory provides a controlled neutralbuoyancy environment—a very large pool containing about 6.2 million U.S. gallons (23,000 m3) of water where astronauts train to practiceextra-vehicular activity tasks while simulatingzero-g conditions.[30][31] The facility provides preflight training in becoming familiar with crew activities and with the dynamics of body motion under weightless conditions.[32]
Building 31-N houses theLunar Sample Laboratory Facility, which stores, analyzes, and processes most of the samples returned from the Moon during the Apollo program.[citation needed]
The center is also responsible for direction of operations atWhite Sands Test Facility inNew Mexico, which served as a backupSpace Shuttle landing site and would have been the coordinating facility for theConstellation program, which was planned to replace the Shuttle program after 2010, but was canceled in 2009.[citation needed]
The visitor center has been the adjacentSpace Center Houston since 1994; JSC Building 2 previously housed the visitor center.[citation needed]
TheJohnson Space Center Heliport (FAALID:72TX) is located on the campus.[33]
About 3,200 civil servants, including 110astronauts, are employed at Johnson Space Center. The bulk of the workforce consists of over 11,000 contractors. As of October 2014, Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies took overUnited Space Alliance's primary contract.[34] Deputy director Stephen Koerner was appointed the center's acting director in February 2025.[2]
NASA's astronaut training is conducted at the Johnson Space Center. Astronaut candidates receive training on spacecraft systems and in basic sciences including mathematics, guidance and navigation, oceanography, orbital dynamics, astronomy, and physics.[32] Candidates are required to complete military water survival prior to beginning their flying instruction. Candidates are also required to becomescuba-qualified for extravehicular training and are required to pass a swimming test.[35][36] EVA training is conducted at theSonny Carter Training Facility. Candidates are also trained to deal with emergencies associated withhyperbaric andhypobaric atmospheric pressures and are given exposure to the microgravity of space flight.[32] Candidates maintain their flying proficiency by flying 15 hours per month in NASA's fleet of T-38 jets based at nearby Ellington Field.[37]
Johnson Space Center leads NASA's human spaceflight-related scientific and medical research programs. Technologies developed for spaceflight are now in use in many areas ofmedicine,energy,transportation,agriculture,communications, andelectronics.[38]
TheAstromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) office performs thephysical science research at the center. ARES directs and manages all functions and activities of the ARES scientists who performbasic research inearth,planetary, andspace sciences. ARES scientists and engineers provide support to thehuman androbotic spaceflight programs. The responsibilities of ARES also include interaction with theOffice of Safety and Mission Assurance and theHuman Space Flight Programs.[39]
Johnson Space Center was granted a five-year, $120-million extension of its agreement with theNational Space Biomedical Research Institute atBaylor College of Medicine to study the health risks related to long-duration space flight. The extension will allow a continuation ofbiomedical research in support of a long-term human presence in space started by the institute and NASA'sHuman Research Program through 2012.[40]
ThePrebreathe Reduction Program is a research study program at the JSC that is currently being developed to improve the safety and efficiency ofspace walks from theInternational Space Station.[41]
TheOverset Grid-Flow software was developed at Johnson Space Center in collaboration withNASA Ames Research Center. The software simulatesfluid flow around solid bodies usingcomputational fluid dynamics.[citation needed]
TheTexas Space Commission was established by Texas governorGreg Abbott on March 26, 2024 at Johnson Space Center.[42]
The following persons had served as the Johnson Space Center director:[43][44]
| No. | Image | Director | Term start | Term end | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Robert R. Gilruth | November 1, 1961 | January 17, 1972 | [45] |
| 2 |  | Christopher C. Kraft Jr. | January 17, 1972 | August 7, 1982 | [46] |
| 3 |  | Gerald D. Griffin | August 8, 1982 | January 14, 1986 | [47] |
| 4 |  | Jesse W. Moore | January 23, 1986 | October 2, 1986 | [48] |
| 5 |  | Aaron Cohen | October 12, 1986 | August 20, 1993 | [49] |
| 6 |  | Carolyn L. Huntoon | January 6, 1994 | August 4, 1995 | [50] |
| Acting |  | George W. S. Abbey | August 4, 1995 | January 23, 1996 | [51] |
| 7 | January 23, 1996 | February 23, 2001 | |||
| Acting |  | Roy S. Estess | February 23, 2001 | March 31, 2002 | [52] |
| 8 |  | Jefferson D. Howell Jr. | April 1, 2002 | November 23, 2005 | [53][54] |
| 9 |  | Michael L. Coats | November 23, 2005 | December 31, 2012 | [55][56][57][58] |
| 10 | .jpg) | Ellen Ochoa | January 1, 2013 | May 24, 2018 | [56][59][60] |
| 11 |  | Mark S. Geyer | May 25, 2018 | May 3, 2021 | [61][62][63] |
| acting |  | Vanessa Wyche | May 4, 2021 | June 29, 2021 | [62] |
| 12 | June 30, 2021 | February 24, 2025 | [64][65][66] | ||
| acting |  | Stephen Koerner | February 25, 2025 | Present | [2] |
Astronauts, center directors, and other NASA employees are memorialized in a Memorial Grove near the main entrance and visitor badging center (building 110). Trees dedicated to the memory of astronauts and center directors are in a round cluster closest to the entrance, other employees are memorialized behind along a road on the facility leading to the main entrance.[67][68]
JSC put in a bid to display one of the retiredSpace Shuttle orbiters, but was not selected.[69]
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