[sci.space.shuttle] Visiting JSC: still possible?

p515dfi@mpirbn.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de (Daniel Fischer) (02/05/91)

Did the Gulf Crisis affect the access of foreign (touristic) visitors to the
Johnson Space Center? We would like to look around there on (Saturday) June
15th this year: could someone advise us on whether we would be admitted at
all, which parts of JSC would be accessible, and also which public transport
from the airport (IAH) or Houston proper exists to JSC? 

Thanks for help    from p515dfi@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de       Daniel Fischer

Nanook@psycho.fidonet.org (Keith Dickinson) (02/07/91)

In a message posted by Daniel Fischer at 1:3610/75.0 on 05 Feb 91  you said:
 >
 > Did the Gulf Crisis affect the access of foreign (touristic) visitors to
 > the Johnson Space Center? We would like to look around there on (Saturday)
 > June 15th this year: could someone advise us on whether we would
 > be admitted at all, which parts of JSC would be accessible, and also
 > which public transport from the airport (IAH) or Houston proper exists
 > to JSC?

At this point in time, foreign visitors have complete access to the
"Space Port Visitors Information Center" and the standard tours.  Be
aware that security has been heightened in reguards to monitoring the
tours, though there are no restrictions that I know of.

Just don't be caught inside the base without a badge if you aren't on
a bus!

Keith


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dcn@cbnewsd.att.com (david.c.newkirk) (02/12/91)

I just visited the Johnson Space Center (Feb. 9th) and none of the more
interesting buildings were open.  Visitors were restricted to the museum
building, the cafeteria/shop building, and the rocket park area.  Since
the museum is fairly small, there's not much to see.  I recommend waiting
until the security restrictions are lifted.  You would see more at the
Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
-- 
				Dave Newkirk, att!ihlpm!dcn

phil@eecs.nwu.edu (William LeFebvre) (02/13/91)

In article <3338.27B0AC61@psycho.fidonet.org>, Nanook@psycho.fidonet.org (Keith Dickinson) writes:
|> In a message posted by Daniel Fischer at 1:3610/75.0 on 05 Feb 91  you said:
|>  >
|>  > Did the Gulf Crisis affect the access of foreign (touristic) visitors to
|>  > the Johnson Space Center?...

|> At this point in time, foreign visitors have complete access to the
|> "Space Port Visitors Information Center" and the standard tours....
|> Just don't be caught inside the base without a badge if you aren't on
|> a bus!

Uhhh.....  Isn't Space Port at KSC?  The original poster was asking about
JSC (the one in Houston).  Last time I was there, they didn't use busses
for their tours.  :-)

Seriously, I have heard (and it was just confirmed by a poster here) that
all the interesting stuff at JSC is closed to visitors.  This would be
Mission Control in building 30, the shuttle mockups in building 9A, and
the skylab exhibit in building 5.  Although the stuff in building 2 (the
museum) is interesting, it probably isn't worth making a special trip for.
Although they do show some interesting movies in the auditorium.

I don't know what I'd do if my wife was still working there.  It was not
uncommon for me (back in 1988-1989) to walk up to building 4, knock on
her office window (first floor office), and meet her at the side door,
all without being badged.  At the time this was perfectly acceptable:
visitors were allowed to walk around the outside areas freely.  Nowadays
security would probably kick me off-site if not arrest me.  Sigh......

		William LeFebvre
		Computing Facilities Manager and Analyst
		Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
		Northwestern University
		<phil@eecs.nwu.edu>