Cover Page

Man in Space Resource Description

INSTALLATIONS

The 18 installations that house the 26 Man in Space sites and supported various aspects of the early space program are administered by NASA, the Air Force, the Army, and the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission. As stated earlier, the Smithsonian does not house any of the Man in Space sites, but through its loan program several space artifacts are housed at the other installations. These installations are important to the Man in Space story because of their association with the early space program and because most of them currently provide interpretive/educational information through their visitor centers, organized tours, and/or teacher resource centers. Access to many of the Man in Space sites is highly regulated, so off-site interpretation at visitor centers or through other programs and media will be critical in relaying the Man in Space story to the public. The Alabama Space and Rocket Center and the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum are discussed here because the Alabama Space and Rocket Center houses one Man in Space site--the Saturn V space vehicle on loan from the National Air and Space Museum.

Each installation's role in the early American space program is described in the 1984 "Man in Space National Historic Landmark Theme Study." The following discussion is confined to the interpretive/educational programs at each installation as they relate to the Man in Space theme.

ALABAMA SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER

Exhibits at Alabama Space and Rocket Center

The Alabama Space and Rocket Center is adjacent to the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. It serves as the official visitor information center for Marshall and is state-run and financed partly through private donation. An outdoor rocket park includes Apollo/Saturn V, Redstone, and Mercury/Atlas rockets and many others. The museum features an Apollo command module, Mercury spacecraft, and lunar-landing training vehicle. Other areas of the museum include a photo mural displaying important events in Wernher von Braun's life, illustrations of different types of technology developed for the space program, and hands-on exhibits. The center also contains the Spacedome Theater, featuring Omnimax films, a gift shop, and a fast-food cafeteria.

In 1982 the Space Camp program was implemented at the Alabama Space and Rocket Center to provide learning experiences in space history and technology. The highly successful program has continued to grow and is now a year-round program warranting its own newly built wing. Attendance for the 5-day 1987 program will reach 10,000.

The Alabama Space and Rocket Center utilizes Marshall as a part of its interpretive effort. It offers bus tours of nearby Marshall facilities and test sites where historic rockets were developed and tested and astronauts trained. There is little focus on the Redstone test stand, propulsion and structural test facility, Saturn V dynamic test stand, and neutral buoyancy space simulator and their roles in the early American space program. The Saturn V space vehicle is adequately interpreted and its role in sending men to the moon is discussed. Approximately 400,000 people visited the center in 1986.

AMES RESEARCH CENTER, CALIFORNIA

Ames has no visitor center, but it does have a staging area for guided public tours (under contract) and a teacher resource center. Plans are underway to develop a visitor center with an auditorium and exhibits focusing on Ames' contribution to NASA's national space goal. Interpretation of the unitary plan wind tunnel is limited. Visitation at Ames in 1986 was 20,000.

Marker commemorating the first U.S. orbital flight by John Glenn, complex 14, Cape Canaveral

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FLORIDA

In 1966 the Air Force converted complex 26 into a space museum. The museum is funded by the Air Force Eastern Space and Missile Center. It was established by local personnel who realized the need for preservation and interpretation at Cape Canaveral. The Air Force Association (a private organization) provides volunteers who staff the space museum and interpret the Air Force's mission and history at the installation.

Currently, Air Force personnel conduct tours of Cape Canaveral for VIPs and organized groups. A bus tour of Cape Canaveral is available through the Spaceport USA visitor center. In addition, the Air Force has constructed kiosks that display historic photos and information at complexes 14, 19, 26, and 34. The kiosk at launch complex 26 is available to those on the bus tour; the remaining kiosks are open only to VIPs and organized groups. In 1986 approximately 85,000 people visited Cape Canaveral.

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA

There is no visitor center at the base, but the newly opened Jimmy Doolittle Airpark displays Air Force aircraft that was tested at Edwards as well as a plaque designating Rogers Dry Lake as a national historic landmark. Visitors must obtain passes at the main gate to gain entry to Edwards. The airpark provides views of the dry lake. Public and VIP bus tours originating from the airpark are conducted on a periodic basis, and the base hosts an annual open house to familiarize visitors with their operation. Interpretive media is limited, and the current tour programs highlight existing and future programs. The Air Force is seeking a private entity to build and operate a visitor center at the airpark site. Visitor attendance in 1986 totaled 7,600 on tours and approximately 500,000 people at the open house.

Marshall Space Flight Center

GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, ALABAMA

Marshall's visitor center and teacher resource center are housed in the Alabama Space and Rocket Center. The exhibitry provides information on Marshall's existing programs; it does not discuss the Redstone test stand, propulsion and structural test facility, Saturn V dynamic test stand, and neutral buoyancy space simulator. Interpretation of the Man in Space sites is provided on a bus tour of the Marshall facilities that originates from the Alabama Space and Rocket Center. Although the tour narrative highlights the sites, it does not explain their role in the early American space program and their importance to the first manned moon landing. The tour attracted over 131,000 people in 1986.

GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, MARYLAND

Exhibits at Goddard Space Flight Center

The visitor center at Goddard is outside the facility gates, which permits unrestricted visitor access. It is currently undergoing redesign and updating of exhibits. The half of the center that has been redesigned features hands-on exhibits focusing on NASA's present achievements and future goals, such as the space shuttle, space station, and space research. The other half of the visitor center features prototypes and models of satellites and the Gemini XII spacecraft. The center also houses the teacher resource center. The spacecraft magnetic test facility is not interpreted. Renovation of the entire center will be complete within a year. Forthcoming exhibits will focus on Robert Goddard's significant work in aeronautics and rocketry. Visitors may also tour other Goddard facilities with guides; however, the spacecraft magnetic test facility is not a part of the regular tour and can only be visited by reservation. Over 73,000 people visited the center in 1986.

GOLDSTONE DEEP SPACE COMMUNICATIONS COMPLEX, CALIFORNIA

There is no visitor center at the complex, and no interpretive programs are offered. VIP tours may be arranged to the Pioneer deep space station.

HUGH L. DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH FACILITY, CALIFORNIA

The Dryden visitor center is on the grounds of Edwards Air Force Base, and visitors must obtain passes at the main gate. The visitor center contains an auditorium, a gift shop, and a cafeteria. NASA personnel present a film and conduct tours of their facility twice a day. The film provides a historical perspective of the center's role in aviation and aeronautics, and the tours focus on existing and future programs.

Displays at the visitor center feature a model of the shuttle and exhibits of various aspects of the Apollo program. Exhibits of Rogers Dry Lake are displayed, and its importance to flight testing over the years is discussed. Approximately 25,000 people per year tour this facility.

JET PROPULSION LABORATORY, CALIFORNIA

There is no visitor center at the laboratory, but a small area inside the fenced installation contains exhibits, artifacts, and an auditorium that is open on a limited basis to tour groups. The teacher resource center provides educational information about JPL and NASA programs to educational institutions, civic and professional organizations, and the general public. Open houses are held on an irregular basis. Organized groups may visit several of the JPL facilities, including the space flight operations facility and the twenty-five foot space simulator. However, the Man in Space story is not adequately interpreted. Approximately 20,000 people visit the laboratory per year.

JOHN F. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA

The space center contains the Spaceport USA visitor center operated by TW Services under contract with NASA. It contains two theaters, one of which is an IMAX facility, a museum, a gift shop, a cafeteria, a rocket park, and a sales and information area for tours of the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. The museum, named the Gallery of Spaceflight, houses exhibits focusing on the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo manned flights and other NASA programs. Exhibits contain artifacts of the space effort, such as the Gemini IX capsule and space suits. Approximately 2.2 million people visited Spaceport USA in 1988.

Two tours are offered for a fee--one of Kennedy, the other of Cape Canaveral. The bus tour of Kennedy stops at the Saturn V space vehicle and provides views of the vehicle assembly building, launch pads 39A and B, a crawler-transporter, and a mobile launcher. The bus tour of Cape Canaveral stops at launch complexes 5/6 and 26 and the original mission control center and passes numerous other launch sites and support facilities. The tour at the Kennedy Space Center focuses on the space shuttle program; the tour at Cape Canaveral highlights past and present programs. Neither tour adequately interprets the role of the Man in Space sites in the moon landing and the events leading up to that occasion.

Gallery of Space Flight at Spaceport USA, Kennedy Space Center	Rocket exhibit area, Kennedy Space Center
Spaceport USA bus tour, Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral	Gallery of Space Flight, Kennedy Space Center

LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER, VIRGINIA

The Langley visitor center is operated under contract. It is inside the research center's gates, and nonmilitary personnel must obtain passes before entering. Two aspects of Langley research are interpreted--aeronautics and space. As at other visitor centers around the country, the interpretive focus is on existing and future programs and the Man in Space sites are not highlighted. Exhibits feature labeled photographs about the solar system, the evolution of aircraft, launch vehicle development, and wind tunnels. Artifacts include the Apollo 12 spacecraft and a Mercury test capsule used in unmanned research. Tours of the visitor center are offered. The visitor center has an auditorium, teacher resource center, and gift shop, and there are picnic tables and a

refreshment stand just outside. Group tours to other facilities at Langley, including the variable density tunnel, full scale tunnel, eight-foot high speed tunnel, and rendezvous docking simulator, can be arranged, and they are occasionally opened for general public viewing. In 1986 over 200,000 people visited Langley.

Langley is currently negotiating to move the visitor center outside its gates to a site in the city of Hampton. The city is promoting the move, with the cooperation of NASA. The new visitor center, proposed to open by 1990, will feature new exhibits.

Visitor center at Langley Research Center

Exhibits at Langley Research Center

LEWIS RESEARCH CENTER, OHIO

The visitor center at Lewis is inside the research center's gates, and people must obtain passes before entering. It is also operated under contract. The visitor center features a gift shop, a theater, a teacher resource center, and lectures in the evenings. Interpretive exhibits focus on the solar system, manned space program, rocket propulsion, and aeronautics. There are displays concerning the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo projects, and Skylab 3 is exhibited. Interpretive media concerning the rocket engine test facility and the zero gravity research facility is limited. Tours of the visitor center are available for school groups and adult groups of 20 or more. One day a week the adult tours include stops at other Lewis facilities, including the Man in Space sites. In 1986 nearly 90,000 people visited the Lewis Research Center.

Preliminary negotiations are underway with the Cleveland Growth Association to move the visitor center out of the Lewis facility to a location in Cleveland. If this happens, exhibits are expected to change and become hands-on, reflecting present and future NASA achievements.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, TEXAS

Exhibits at John Space Center

The Johnson visitor center is within the installation, and visitors must obtain passes. It includes a newsroom, a press television studio, an auditorium, and exhibit areas. Interpretive exhibits feature the history of the manned space effort. Artifacts include a lunar lander; Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space suits; Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft; moon rocks; and chronological displays of the manned space program. A teacher resource center is in the visitor center, and a cafeteria and gift shop are in a separate building. A rocket park, featuring a complete Saturn V, is nearby. A self-guided tour, including a brochure about other Johnson facilities, is offered. The Apollo mission control center is a part of this tour and may be seen on a reservation basis. Limited interpretive media about the mission control center and the space environment simulation laboratory is provided at the visitor center.

Plans are now underway, if financial backing can be obtained, to build a new visitor center outside the installation. The new center would be operated by a concessioner like the one at the Kennedy Space Center.

NATIONAL SPACE TECHNOLOGY LABORATORIES, MISSISSIPPI

This visitor center has exhibits focusing on the work conducted at the laboratories and a teacher resource center. Daily public and school tours of the test complex are offered under contract. The rocket propulsion text complex is interpreted at the visitor center, but its role in the early American space program is not explained. Visitor attendance in 1986 reached 90,000.

PLUM BROOK OPERATIONS DIVISION, OHIO

Most NASA facilities here, including the spacecraft propulsion research facility, are inactive or in standby status. There is no visitor center, and VIP tours must be arranged in advance.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, which opened in 1976, features 23 exhibit areas focusing on aviation and space. Artifacts include aircraft and spacecraft, missiles, rockets, engines, propellers, space suits, uniforms, instruments, medals, and insignia, all of which contributed to the historical and technological achievements of air and space flight. The Apollo to the Moon Gallery features interpretive media and artifacts relating to the events leading up to the lunar landing. The Rocketry and Space Flight Gallery features exhibits on the history of rocket development. The Milestones of Flight Gallery features the Mercury spacecraft Friendship 7, Gemini 4 spacecraft,' and Apollo 11 command module. The museum offers public tours, recorded tours, a planetarium, an IMAX theater, a cafeteria, a library, gift shops, archives, and an associate membership program.

As part of its artifact loan program, the museum has loaned Saturn V space vehicles to the Alabama Space and Rocket Center, the Johnson Space Center, and the Kennedy Space Center. Although the museum interprets aspects of the Man in Space theme, it does not focus on the 26 Man in Space sites or the strategic role they played in landing men on the moon. Approximately 7.4 million people visited the museum in 1986.

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA

Vandenberg Air Force Base has no visitor center. Approximately 50,000 visitors a year, primarily on group tours, come to the base. Few visitors except VIPs tour space launch complex 10. The base hosts occasional open houses, which attract 70,000-90,000 visitors.

Several volunteer groups are planning to rehabilitate space launch complex 10 for occasional public use and hope to begin planning for a visitor center.

Entrance to launch complex 33, White Sands Missle Range

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NEW MEXICO

The visitor center is inside the Army installation, and visitors must obtain passes. It contains a museum with interpretive displays and objects illustrating the history of White Sands. The center contains some information on launch complex 33 and its early role in rocket development. A static rocket display is approximately 1 mile from the visitor center. Attendance in 1986 exceeded 3,500 people.

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Last Modified: Wed, Nov 29 2000 10:00:00 am PDT
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