The Johnson Space Center (JSC) is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) center for human spaceflight, where human spaceflight training, research, and flight control are conducted. It was built and dedicated in 1961, with Major General Leighton I. Smith, Jr., as its first director. The center has since been home to all of America’s manned spaceflights and is now responsible for developing hardware, software, life support systems, and procedures for NASA’s future missions. JSC is also responsible for operating the International Space Station (ISS).
Johnson Space Center’s main campus is located south of Houston near Clear Lake City in unincorporated Harris County. The site includes facilities such as the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center—the nerve center that controls all human spaceflights—as well as astronaut training facilities and laboratories where researchers work on advancements in science and technology that will enable humans to live and work in deep space. JSC also manages NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center – White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico; the Sonny Carter Training Facility at Ellington Field near JSC; and the Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans where Orion spacecrafts are being built.
The origins of Johnson Space Center can be traced back to the early days of America’sspace program when President Dwight D Eisenhower created NASAin response to the launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Unionin 1957(Baker et al.). In 1958, Congress appropriated funds for NASAto begin operationand selectedHoustonas the site for a new Manned SpacecraftCenterbecauseof its proximity toGus Grissom-led Mercury Sevenastronauts who were living there at that time(Heppenheimer). Construction began on what would becomeJSCin September 1961and itwas formallydedicated on September 8th1962by President John F KennedywithMajor GeneralLeighton Smithservingas its first director(Baker et al.).
During its early years, JSC focused primarily on supporting Project Mercurywhich saw American astronauts make six suborbital flights between 1961-1963(Heppenheimer). On February 20th1962, AstronautJohn Glennbecame the first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7 marking a major milestone in U.S historyand solidifying America’s place as a leading power inthe burgeoningSpace Race withthe Soviet Union(Baker et al.). Followingthe successof Project Mercury , attention turned towards developing Apollo Program which would see humans land on Moon within a decade(Heppenheimer). Key advances during this time period included developmentof new rockets like Saturn Vthat could carry larger payloads into orbit as well asthe creationof extravehicular mobility units or lunar rovers that would allows astronauts greater range while exploring lunar surface(Baker et al.). On July 16th1969 , an unmannedApollo 11 spacecraft launched fromKennedy Space Centerto begin mankind’s journeyto another worldwhen it became first manned craft landon moon less thana week later on July 20th 1969 . Upon their returnto Earth , Neil Armstrongand Buzz Aldrinto instant global celebrities hailed as heroes by people around world (Heppenheimer)(Baker et al.)
With successful completionof Apollo Program goals , United States turnedits attention back towardsEarth withinitiationofthe SkylabProgram which sawfirst American spacestationbeing orbitedand inhabitedfor extendedperiodsof time beginning in 1973 (Heppenheimer)(Baker etal.) However by late 1970’s public interest infuture of manned spaceflight had begunto wane somewhat resulting decrease funding from Congress despite efforts by NASA Administrator Robert A Frosch test market idea commercializingspaceflight through development reusable spacecraft calledShuttle Orbiter Vehicleor “Space Shuttle” . After multiple delays due cost overruns other problems , STS-1mission finally took offfrom Kennedy Spacewith ColumbiaShuttle on April 12 1981 becoming first orbital flight reusable spacecraft (Heppenerhimer)(Baker etal.) Although initial years operation were marked number challenges including two fatal accidents Challenger disaster 1986
In wake ofChallenger mishap , presidential panel chairedby formerSecretary State William P Rogersrecommended series reforms be implemented improve safety culture within NASA . These changes led increased focus mission planning safety reviews which helped reduce risk future accidents although they also caused significant delays schedule something that continues plague agency this day according report issued GAO earlier year (GAO)(Wadell) Despite these setbacks however Shuttle quickly became one most recognizable symbols 1980’s 1990’syielding valuable data about long term effects microgravity human body conducting multitude scientific experiments over course 30 year lifespan program before being retired 2011 STS-135 mission Atlantis . Retirement Shuttles left only Soyuz vehicles capable carrying crew members International Spacestation meaning Americans now must purchase seats Russia order travel into orbit something seenmanyasa national embarrassment given nation’shistory leadership role field aerospace exploration . With end Shuttle program however came renewed hope formanned exploration beyond low Earth orbitwith introduction Constellation Program 2009 under Obama Administration whose goal was develop advanced rocketshipsendhumansbacktomoonwithin next few decades time allowing them use base establish permanent presence Mars sometime 2030 followed eventual colonization Red Planet Unfortunately budgetary reasons forced cancellation project just 2 years after it began leaving uncertain what if any US government initiatives will take its place moving forward leaving private sector companies like SpaceX Elon Musk fill void until something else comes along pick up mantle affordable reliable access outer space