Recently, I had the opportunity visit Space Center Houston (in Houston, Texas--of course!) This post is the first of a series on hardware featured at Space Center Houston and an inside look at the Johnson Space Center.
This was my first visit to the space center in Houston. Compared to the Kennedy Space Visitors Center, Space Center Houston was considerably smaller. The center is basically set up for kids and casual visitors. As for serious space history buffs Space Center Houston was less than ideal. With that said I did enjoy my visit and the opportunity to see historical spacecraft on display.
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| Here is the business end of this Falcon 9. It has been flown 7 times (and it shows!)! |
My focus on this installment will be the Space X Falcon 9 first stage on out door display. This was my first close look at a Falcon 9. My impressions were that this rocket was robustly built! The Space X Falcon 9 is a partially reusable heavy-life launch vehicle that can carry cargo and crew into Earth orbit. The first (booster) stage carries the second stage and payload to a certain altitude, after which the second stage lifts the payload to its ultimate destination.
The Falcon 9 first stage, B1035 is displayed horizontally and elevated 14 feet off the ground near Independence Plaza. It’s one of only two SpaceX Falcon 9 boosters on display and the first commercial space exhibit for Space Center Houston. Both stages are powered by SpaceX Merlin engines, using cryogenic liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene as propellants.
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| The landing legs are displayed in flight position. |
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| A look at the deployed grid fins. |
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