Austin News

The history of Texas' involvement in the space race during the 1960s and 1970s is marked by significant contributions to America's space endeavors. In 1961, Houston was selected as the site for NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center, which was later renamed the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center on February 17, 1973, after the former President from Texas.

During these decades, the Johnson Space Center became a hub of innovation and played a crucial role in overseeing some of NASA's most notable missions, including the Gemini and Apollo programs. Texas emerged as a pivotal player in advancing America's space ambitions during this era.

The Mercury Seven, America's first class of astronauts, contributed to Houston's reputation as "Space City." The Johnson Space Center's Mission Control was integral to managing historic missions such as Gemini 8 in 1966 when astronauts executed an emergency landing after a thruster malfunction. Neil Armstrong's quick thinking during this mission was praised by Pilot David Scott: “The guy was brilliant. He knew the system so well. He found the solution, he activated the solution, under extreme circumstances… it was my lucky day to be flying with him.”

Three years later, Mission Control orchestrated Apollo 11's moon landing. Neil Armstrong's famous words upon landing on the lunar surface—“Houston, Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed”—highlighted Texas' critical role in winning the Space Race.

Texas has produced accomplished astronauts like Ed White, Michael Fossum, Shannon Walker, and Loral O’Hara. The Johnson Space Center remains central to astronaut training and continues its legacy in space exploration.

Today, NASA’s operations in Texas support over 40,000 jobs and contribute more than $9 billion to the state's economy. Texas’ historical role in space exploration is characterized by resilience and cooperation that inspire future generations to explore new frontiers.