Shuttle Mock up used for training
We got up a little more leisurely this morning, since the Space Center didn’t open until 10 AM. Harris had decided to come here, saying that as we were going to the space shuttle launch, we ought to see where mission control is as well. As we drove up to the gate, we noticed a sign that said “Parking $6”. (We had thought it would be $4). Sigh. But we didn’t really want to walk a long way to the Center, since we anticipated a lot of walking once there. We were very pleasantly surprised when the attendant just waved us through! Free parking! We don’t know why, but we took it.
Shuttle's space role is "cargo mover"
The first thing we did was get in line for a tram tour. We didn’t have to wait as long as we thought we would have to. The people working there told us it was a light day. Good thing Harris planned to come on a weekday!
Astro robot for working in space
The tram tour took us on a little drive past many buildings where astronauts train and the missions are managed. We got out of the tram twice, once to tour a facility where training actually takes place, with full size mock ups of the space station. The second time was to tour the “rocket building”, that had a Saturn five rocket and the Apollo capsule that sat on top of it. So incredible to see all the little parts that make up such a huge rocket system.
The new lunar rover
Then it was back to the center for more displays and movies about various space missions, from the first unmanned rockets through the space shuttle missions and even information about what’s next for NASA. We even got to touch a moon rock!
Each tree represents an astronaut who has died
We spent about 5 hours in the center, and saw about 60% of it. About 4 o’clock we were maxed out with info and decided to stop. We headed for Beaumont to an RV park rated 5 stars in Woodall. Although it’s nice we’re trying to figure out why the high rating.
The huge Saturn V rocket
These longhorn (really long) bulls reside at the Space Center
Two tuckered-out visitors at the end of the day
Miles driven today= 105
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