Johnson Space Center

The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s center for human spaceflight training, research, and flight control. The center consists of a complex of one hundred buildings constructed on 1,620 acres (656 ha) in the Clear Lake Area of Houston which acquired the official nickname “Space City” in 1967. Johnson Space Center is home to NASA’s astronaut corps and is responsible for training astronauts from both the U.S. and its international partners. It has become popularly known by its central function “Mission Control”, from the Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle Programs. Originally known as the Manned Spacecraft Center, it grew out of the Space Task Group formed soon after the creation of NASA to co-ordinate the US manned spaceflight program. A new facility was constructed on land donated by Rice University and opened in 1963. On February 19, 1973, the center was renamed in honor of the late U.S. president and Texas native, Lyndon B. Johnson. JSC is one of ten major NASA field centers.