Now Open at Lone Star Flight Museum!
The newest edition to the many aviation-inspired experiences at the museum! SPACE GALLERY offers a deeper understanding of what it was like for Space Shuttle astronauts to train, live and work in space, the exhibit features the NASA Crew Compartment Trainer-2 (CCT-2) and EVA Airlock System, the Space Shuttle Motion Base Simulator and other artifacts from NASA, including a Rover and Humanoid.
SPACE GALLERY also marks a new, expanded view of the museum’s aviation content that includes the evolution of aviation to aerospace. Much of the early development at NASA was rooted in aviation. Astronauts often began their careers as pilots, served in the military, or had STEM-based backgrounds.
The exhibit content focuses on each of the training systems and the early years of how they were used within the NASA astronaut training program. SPACE GALLERY also features the journey of many pilots that went on to become astronauts and the legacy of aerospace that begins with aviation and the early years of flight.
Highlighting this history, the exhibit includes a series of cases and displays with medical kits, shuttle tools, astronaut sleeping bag and other artifacts that detail what life in space is like for an astronaut. Adding a personal aspect to the exhibit are several personal items from retired NASA astronauts, including Mike Forman, mayor of the City of Friendswood and Gene Cernan, the last astronaut to walk on the moon.
A viewing platform will allow visitors to peek inside the middeck of the CCT-2 and the airlock system, and scheduled tours inside the rover will also be offered on a regular basis. Adding an immersive and interactive aspect to the exhibit are three touchscreens that will take visitors through the anatomy of a shuttle, a virtual tour inside the CCT-2 middeck and flight deck and a history of the space shuttle missions.
SPACE GALLERY is included in your general admission and FREE for members! Continue to visit our calendar of events for SPACE GALLERY Hangar Talks and special programs.
SPACE GALLERY was made possible by the generous support of
NASA Johnson Space Center
Museum of Flight • USM
SMS-MB Sponsors
Texas A&M University
Association of Space Explorers • The Boeing Company • Carl Brainerd
Dr. Bonnie Dunbar • Michael Foreman • Jacobs Technology
KBR – Clear Lake • Dr. Dimitris and Magdalini Lagoudas • Preston E. Page
Crew Compartment Trainer-2 (CCT-2)
Designed to offer a deeper understanding of what it was like for Space Shuttle astronauts to train live and work in space, the exhibit features the recently acquired CCT-2 and EVA Airlock System. Get up close to dozens of artifacts, interactive touch screens and a view platform to peek inside.
Shuttle Mission Simulator Motion Base (SMS-MB)
The original simulator that trained every Space Shuttle crew. In April 2022, volunteers completed a 5,000 hour restoration project of this original 1970s Link Flight Simulation simulator. It was delivered to Johnson SpaceCenter in support of the first Space Shuttle Mission in 1981. SMS complex at the Johnson Space Center included three full-fidelity, fully functional Space Shuttle Orbiter cockpit replicas that were used to train Space Shuttle flight crews and mission controllers. These included the Motion Base, the Fixed Base, and the Guidance & Navigation Simulator(GNS). The Motion base, displayed here, included the forward portion of the cockpit mounted on a hydraulically powered full motion system. It was used mostly for ascent and entry/landing training.
Small Pressurized Rover (SPR)
NASA tests a variety of rover concepts for future planetary exploration missions. This SPR was part of a 2010 week-long field test in Arizona. The NASA-led team included NASA Engineer and LSFM Volunteer, Chris Looper. His team conducted technology experiments to support future exploration missions, such as long-term living on the moon.
Centaur Humanoid Robot
NASA’s future lunar and martian missions will require advanced robotic systems to assist humans. The Centaur is a mobile, dexterous system designed with this future role in mind. The design allows for robotic use of human tools and interfaces while in remote locations such as rough terrain and varied environments.