Restoring Mission Control

• The restoration of Apollo Mission Control Center features the authentic consoles used to monitor nine Gemini, all Apollo moon missions and 21 space shuttle missions.

• These missions include the flight of Apollo 11 that first landed men on the moon, the Apollo 13 mission that famously experienced an in-flight emergency and 40 other space missions.

• Restoration of the National Historic Landmark began in July 2017 and was coordinated by JSC with funds raised by Space Center Houston.

• Located on the third floor of Building 30 on the JSC campus, five distinct, interrelated areas make up Apollo Mission Control Center. The historic Mission Operations Control Room (MOCR-2) includes the consoles used by flight controllers and large group display screens. Behind the screens is the summary display projection room, known as the “bat cave.”

• Adjacent to MOCR-2 are two support rooms: the Simulation Control Room (Sim Room) and the Recovery Control Room, which served to coordinate support following splashdown. A wall with large windows separates MOCR-2 from the Visitors Viewing Area, a dedicated space where family members and VIP guests were able to observe mission controllers without disrupting them.

• The restoration project focused on all areas of Apollo Mission Control Center, with the goal of accurately portraying how the area looked the moment the moon landing took place on July 20, 1969.