Join us at Space Center Houston to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. The historic Apollo lunar landing on July 20, 1969 paved the way for future space exploration and opened the door to boundless curiosity and discovery. Experience the legacy of the first lunar landing and celebrate the 55th anniversary of the lunar landing among an array of significant Apollo artifacts under one roof.
About the Mission:
Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, carrying Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin into an initial Earth-orbit of 114 by 116 miles. An estimated 650 million people watched Armstrong’s televised image and heard his voice describe the event as he took “…one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind” on July 20, 1969. After a flight of 195 hours, 18 minutes, 35 seconds – about 36 minutes longer than planned – Apollo 11 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, 13 miles from the recovery ship USS Hornet. Apollo 11 landed safely on July 24, 1969.
Apollo Anniversary Events:
Space Center Houston is the perfect setting to celebrate all things Apollo 11 this summer – especially from the anniversary of the Apollo 11 blastoff on July 16th, through the mission’s conclusion when the astronauts safely splashed down back on Earth on July 24th. From July 16-24th, there will be unique experiences including Apollo 11-themed Pop-Up Science Labs, Mission Briefings on the Apollo 11 mission, special NASA Tram Tours featuring Historic Mission Control and so many more amazing opportunities.
Special Presentation with Dr. Jennifer Ross-Nazzal
Liftoff to the Moon: Apollo 11, July 16, 1969
12:00pm | July 16th | Destiny Theater
Join us for a special presentation from NASA Historian Dr. Jennifer Ross-Nazzal about the launch of the famous Apollo 11 mission.
Apollo 11: Stories from Mission Control
12:30pm-1:30pm | July 20 | Space Center Theater
Join us for a very special panel discussion on what it was like to be in Mission Control for the iconic Apollo 11 Mission that landed the first humans on the moon! Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to hear the perspective of the decision makers in Mission Control during this historic event.
Gene Kranz, Flight Director
Tom Hanchett, Integrated Communications Officer (INCO)
Ed Fendell, Integrated Communications Officer (INCO)
Spencer Gardner, Flight Activities Director (FAO)
Featured Film – Apollo 11: First Steps Edition
Space Center Theater | Throughout the Day
Run Time: 47 min
Apollo 11: First Steps Edition is a thrilling cinematic experience that showcases the real-life moments of humankind’s first steps on the Moon. In this special edition of Todd Douglas Miller’s critically acclaimed Apollo 11 documentary, created exclusively for science centers and museum theaters, the filmmakers reconstruct the exhilarating final moments of preparation, liftoff, landing and return of this historic mission—one of humanity’s greatest achievements and the first to put men on the Moon. With a newly-discovered trove of never-before-seen 70mm footage and audio recordings, Apollo 11: First Steps Edition joins Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, the Mission Control team and millions of spectators around the world, during those momentous days and hours in 1969 when humankind took a giant leap into the future.
Directed by Todd Douglas Miller, produced by Statement Pictures in partnership with CNN Films and presented by Land Rover. The film is distributed by MacGillivray Freeman Films.
Learn more at www.apollo11firststeps.com
Historic Mission Control Tour
Visit the iconic Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control and discover the Historic Mission Control from which NASA led Gemini and Apollo missions, including the momentous first lunar landing mission as well as early space shuttle missions.
