MISSION CONTROL CENTER/ 

BUILDING 30 

HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION 

Prepared for: 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 

Houston, Texas 

Prepared by: 

Archaeological Consultants, Inc. 

Sarasota, Florida 

October 2010 
i 

PREFACE 

In response to President George W. Bush’s announcement in January 2004 that the Space Shuttle 

program (SSP) would end in 2010, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 

completed a nation-wide historical survey and evaluation of NASA-owned facilities and 

properties (real property assets) at all its Centers and component facilities. The buildings and 

structures which supported the SSP were inventoried and assessed as per the criteria of eligibility 

for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in the context of this program. 

This study was performed in compliance with Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation 

Act (NHPA) of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), as amended; the National Environmental Policy Act 

(NEPA) of 1969 (Public Law 91-190); Executive Order (EO) 11593: Protection and 

Enhancement of the Cultural Environment; EO 13287, Preserve America, and other relevant 

legislation. 

As part of this nation-wide study, in September 2006, historical survey and evaluation of NASAowned and managed facilities was conducted by NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 

(JSC) in Houston, Texas. The results of this study are presented in a report entitled, “Survey and 

Evaluation of NASA-owned Historic Facilities and Properties in the Context of the U.S. Space 

Shuttle Program, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas,” prepared in November 

2007 by NASA JSC’s contractor, Archaeological Consultants, Inc. As a result of this survey, the 

Mission Control Center (Building 30) was determined eligible for listing in the NRHP, with 

concurrence by the Texas State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). The survey concluded that 

Building 30 is eligible for the NRHP under Criteria A and C in the context of the U.S. Space 

Shuttle Program (1969-2010). Because it has achieved significance within the past 50 years, 

Criteria Consideration G applies. It should be noted that the Mission Control Center was 

designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985 for its role in the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing. 

At the time of this documentation, Building 30 was still used to support the SSP as an 

engineering research facility, which is also sometimes used for astronaut training. This 

documentation package precedes any undertaking as defined by Section 106 of the NHPA, as 

amended, and implemented in 36 CFR Part 800, as NASA JSC has decided to proactively pursue 

efforts to mitigate the potential adverse affects of any future modifications to the facility. It 

includes a historical summary of the Space Shuttle program; the history of JSC in relation to the 

SSP; a narrative of the history of Building 30 and how it supported the SSP; and a physical 

description of the structure. In addition, photographs documenting the construction and historical 

use of Building 30 in support of the SSP, as well as photographs of the facility documenting the 

existing conditions, special technological features, and engineering details, are included. A 

contact sheet printed on archival paper, and an electronic copy of the work product on CD, are 

also provided. 
ii 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

Archaeological Consultants, Inc. (ACI) of Sarasota, Florida extends their gratitude to Perri E. 

Fox, NASA JSC’s Shuttle Transition Manager, and Sandra J. Tetley, NASA JSC’s Real Property 

Officer and Historic Preservation Officer (HPO), for making all arrangements for access and 

information gathering in support of this documentation. We also thank the staff of the JSC 

Imagery Repository for their cooperation in providing historical photographs; and the staff of the 

Engineering Drawing Control Center for their cooperation in providing architectural drawings of 

the facility. We deeply appreciate the efforts of Rebecca Marsh, Building 30 Facility Manager, 

for serving as ACI’s point of contact at the facility and for providing valuable information, along 

with Dennis Hehir, Mike Thomasson, and Joe Morris, on the functions of the MCC. Finally, we 

would like to thank Rebecca Wright and Jennifer Ross-Nazzal of Tessada & Associates, for 

conducting oral histories, which greatly enhanced our discussion of the building. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Preface i 

Acknowledgements ii 

Basic Information 1 

The U.S. Space Shuttle Program 3 

Johnson Space Center 7 

Mission Control Center (Building 30) 13 

Construction 13 

MCC Functions 17 

Physical Description 21 

White Flight Control Room/Viewing Area 22 

Multi-Purpose Support Room 23 

SSP Mission Evaluation Room 24 

“Historic” Flight Control Room/Viewing Area/Projection Room 24 

Red Flight Control Room 25 

Bibliography 27 

Figures 33 

List of Photographs 36 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER 

BUILDING 30 

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, 

HOUSTON, TEXAS 

Basic Information 

Location: To the south of Avenue C, between 2nd Street and 4th Street 

 Johnson Space Center 

 Houston 

 Harris County 

 Texas 

 

 U.S.G.S. 7.5. minute League City, Texas, quadrangle, 

 Universal Transverse Mercator coordinates: 

 15.297643.3271663 

Date of Construction: 1963-1964; ca. 1990-1992 

Architect/Engineer: Kaiser Engineers, Oakland, California (original); Haldeman Powell Johns, 

Dallas, Texas (addition) 

 

Builder: W.S. Bellows Construction/Peter Kiewit Sons, Company and Ets-Hokin 

and Galvan, Inc., Houston, Texas (original); J.W. Bateson Company, Inc. 

(addition) 

 

Present Owner: National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

 Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 

Present Use: Building 30 has provided mission control for all manned space flights 

from Gemini IV (June 3-7, 1965) to the present. 

Significance: The Mission Control Center (Building 30) was designated a National 

Historic Landmark (NHL) in 1985 as part of the Man in Space theme 

study. It derived its significance from its “close association with the 

manned spacecraft program of the U.S.” and for its use “to monitor nine 

Gemini and all Apollo flights, Apollo-Soyuz, and all recent Space Shuttle 

flights.” Building 30 continues its historical functions as the control center 

for the Space Shuttle program. Building 30 is significant under Criterion A 

in the areas of Space Exploration and Communications and under 

Criterion C in the area of Engineering. Because it has achieved 

significance within the past 50 years, Criteria Consideration G applies. 

Under Criterion A, it is significant as the support center critical to full 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

BUILDING 30 

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control of Space Shuttle missions, from liftoff to touchdown. The mission 

operations wing is the hub for communications and electronic controls 

employed to maintain contact with spacecraft and crew during actual flight 

missions. In addition, since the beginning of the Space Shuttle program, 

the MCC has also supported the control of simulated flight missions, 

providing both training and experience to astronauts and flight controllers. 

Under Criterion C, the MCC reflects the historic missions of the Space 

Shuttle program in terms of its unique design features which provided all 

aspects of manned spaceflight mission control. 

Report Prepared Patricia Slovinac, Architectural Historian and Joan Deming, Project 

by: Manager 

 Archaeological Consultants, Inc. 

 8110 Blaikie Court, Suite A 

 Sarasota, Florida 34240 

Date: October 2010 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

BUILDING 30 

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The U.S. Space Shuttle Program 

On January 5, 1972, President Nixon delivered a speech in which he outlined the end of the 

Apollo era and the future of a reusable space flight vehicle, the Space Shuttle, which would 

provide “routine access to space.” By commencing work at this time, Nixon added, “we can have 

the Shuttle in manned flight by 1978, and operational a short time after that.”1

 The Space Task 

Group (STG), previously established by President Nixon in February 1969, to recommend a 

future course for the U.S. Space Program, presented three choices of long-range plans. All 

included an Earth–orbiting space station, a space shuttle, and a manned Mars expedition.2

Although none of the original programs presented was eventually selected, the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) implemented a program, shaped by the politics 

and economic realities of the time, which served as a first step toward any future plans for 

implementing a space station.3

 

On January 5, 1972, President Richard Nixon instructed NASA to proceed with the design and 

building of a partially reusable space shuttle consisting of a reusable orbiter, three reusable main 

engines, two reusable solid rocket boosters (SRBs), and one non-reusable external liquid fuel 

tank (ET). NASA’s administrators vowed that the shuttle would fly at least fifty times a year, 

making space travel economical and safe. NASA gave responsibility for developing the shuttle 

orbiter vehicle and overall management of the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) to the Manned 

Space Center (MSC, now the Johnson Space Center [JSC]) in Houston, based on the Center’s 

experience. The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama, was responsible 

for development of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), SRBs, the ET, and for all 

propulsion-related tasks. Engineering design support continued at MSC, MSFC and NASA’s 

Langley Research Center (LaRC), in Virginia, and engine tests were to be performed at NASA’s 

Mississippi National Space Technology Laboratories (NSTL, later named Stennis Space Center 

[SSC]) and at the Air Force’s Rocket Propulsion Laboratory in California, which later became 

the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL).4

 NASA selected the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in 

Florida, as the primary launch and landing site for the SSP. KSC, responsible for designing the 

launch and recovery facilities, was to develop methods for shuttle assembly, checkout, and 

launch operations.5

On September 17, 1976, the full-scale orbiter prototype, Enterprise (OV- 101), was completed. 

Designed for test purposes only and never intended for space flight, structural assembly of this 

 

1

 Marcus Lindroos. “President Nixon’s 1972 Announcement on the Space Shuttle.” (NASA Office of Policy and 

Plans, NASA History Office, updated April 14, 2000). 

2

 NASA, History Office, NASA Headquarters. “Report of the Space Task Group, 1969.” 3

 Dennis R. Jenkins. Space Shuttle, The History of the National Space Transportation System. The First 100 

Missions. (Cape Canaveral, Florida: Specialty Press, 2001), 99. 4

 Jenkins, 122. 

5

 Linda Neuman Ezell. NASA Historical Databook Volume III Programs and Projects 1969-1978. The NASA 

History Series, NASA SP-4012, (Washington, D.C.: NASA History Office, 1988), Table 2-57; Ray A. Williamson. 

“Developing the Space Shuttle.” Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in the History of the U.S. Civil 

Space Program, Volume IV: Accessing Space. (Edited by John M. Logsdon. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Printing 

Office, 1999), 172-174. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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orbiter had started more than two years earlier in June 1974 at Air Force Plant (AFP) 42 in 

Palmdale, California. Although the Enterprise was an aluminum shell prototype incapable of 

space flight, it reflected the overall design of the orbiter. As such, it served successfully in 1977 

as the test article during the Approach and Landing Tests (ALT) aimed at checking out both the 

mating with the shuttle carrier aircraft (SCA) for ferry operations, as well as the orbiter’s 

unpowered landing capabilities. 

The first orbiter intended for space flight, Columbia (OV-102), arrived at KSC from the shuttle 

assembly facility in Palmdale in March 1979. Originally scheduled to lift off in late 1979, the 

launch date was delayed by problems with both the SSME components, as well as the thermal 

protection system (TPS). Columbia spent 610 days in the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF), 

another thirty-five days in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), and 105 days on Pad 39A 

before finally lifting off on April 12, 1981. STS-1, the first orbital test flight and first Space 

Shuttle Program mission, ended with a landing on April 14 at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in 

California. This launch demonstrated Columbia’s ability to fly into orbit, conduct on-orbit 

operations, and return safely.6 Columbia flew three additional test flights in 1981 and 1982, all 

with a crew of two. The Orbital Flight Test Program ended in July 1982 with 95% of its 

objectives completed. After the end of the fourth mission, President Ronald Reagan declared that 

with the next flight the Shuttle would be “fully operational.” 

By the end of the Space Shuttle Program, a total of 134 missions will have been conducted. From 

April 1981 until the Challenger accident in January 1986, between two and nine missions were 

flown yearly, with an average of four to five per year. The milestone year was 1985, when nine 

flights were successfully completed. The years between 1992 and 1997 were the most 

productive, with seven or eight yearly missions. Since 1995, in addition to its unique 

responsibility as the shuttle launch site, KSC also became the preferred landing site. 

Over the past two decades, the SSP has launched a number of planetary and astronomy missions 

including the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the Galileo probe to Jupiter, Magellan to Venus, 

and the Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite. In addition to astronomy and military satellites, a 

series of Spacelab research missions were flown, which carried dozens of international 

experiments in disciplines ranging from materials science to plant biology. Spacelab was a 

manned, reusable, microgravity laboratory flown into space in the rear of the Space Shuttle cargo 

bay. It was developed on a modular basis allowing assembly in a dozen arrangements depending 

on the specific mission requirements.7

 The first Spacelab mission, carried aboard Columbia

(STS-9), began on November 28, 1983. Four Spacelab missions were flown between 1983 and 

1985. Following a hiatus in the aftermath of the Challenger disaster, the next Spacelab mission 

was not launched until 1990. In total, twenty-four Space Shuttle missions carried Spacelab 

hardware before the program was decommissioned in 1998.8

 In addition to astronomical, 

 

6

 Jenkins, 268. 

7

 NASA. NASA Shuttle Reference Manual. (1988). 8

 STS-90, which landed on May 3, 1998, was the final Spacelab mission. NASA. “Shuttle Payloads and Related 

Information.” KSC Factoids. Revised November 18, 2002. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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atmospheric, microgravity, and life sciences missions, Spacelab was also used as a supply carrier 

to the HST and the Soviet space station Mir. 

In 1995, a joint U.S./Russian Shuttle-Mir Program was initiated as a precursor to construction of 

the International Space Station (ISS). Mir had been launched in February 1986 and remained in 

orbit until March 2001.9 The first approach and flyaround of Mir took place on February 3, 1995 

(STS-63); the first Mir docking was in June 1995 (STS-71). During the three-year Shuttle-Mir

Program (June 27, 1995 to June 2, 1998) the Space Shuttle docked with Mir nine times. All but 

the last two of these docking missions used the Orbiter Atlantis. Many of the activities carried 

out were types they would perform on the ISS.10 

On December 4, 1999, Endeavour (STS-88) launched the first component of the ISS into orbit. 

As noted by Williamson, this event marked, “at long last the start of the Shuttle’s use for which it 

was primarily designed – transport to and from a permanently inhabited orbital space station.”11

STS-96, launched on May 27, 1999, marked the first mission to dock with the ISS. Since that 

time, most Space Shuttle missions have supported the continued assembly of the space station. 

As currently planned, ISS assembly missions will continue through the life of the Space Shuttle 

Program. 

The SSP suffered two major setbacks with the tragic losses of the Challenger and Columbia on 

January 28, 1986, and February 1, 2003, respectively. Following the Challenger accident, the 

SSP was suspended, and President Ronald Reagan formed a thirteen-member commission to 

identify the cause of the disaster. The Rogers Commission report, issued on June 6, 1986, which 

also included a review of the SSP, concluded “that the drive to declare the Shuttle operational 

had put enormous pressures on the system and stretched its resources to the limit.”12 In addition 

to mechanical failure, the Commission noted a number of NASA management failures that 

contributed to the catastrophe. As a result, among the tangible actions taken were extensive 

redesign of the SRBs; an upgrade of the Space Shuttle tires, brakes, and nose wheel steering 

mechanisms; the addition of a drag chute to help reduce speed upon landing; the addition of a 

crew escape system; and the requirement for astronauts to wear pressurized flight safety suits 

during launch and landing operations. Other changes involved reorganization and 

decentralization of the SSP. NASA moved the management of the program from JSC to NASA 

Headquarters, with the aim of preventing communication deficiencies.13 Experienced astronauts 

were placed in key NASA management positions, all documented waivers to existing flight 

safety criteria were revoked and forbidden, and a policy of open reviews was implemented.14 In 

addition, NASA adopted a Space Shuttle flight schedule with a reduced average number of 

launches, and discontinued the long-term practice of launching commercial and military 

 

9

 Tony Reichhardt (editor). Space Shuttle, The First 20 Years. (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, 2002), 

85. 

10 Judy A. Rumerman, with Stephen J. Garber. Chronology of Space Shuttle Flights 1981-2000. HHR-70. 

(Washington, D.C.: NASA History Division, Office of Policy and Plans, October 2000), 3. 

11 Williamson, 191. 

12 Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB). Report Volume I. (August 2003), 25. 13 CAIB, 101. 

14 Cliff Lethbridge. “History of the Space Shuttle Program.” (2001), 4. 
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payloads.15 The launch of Discovery (STS-26) from KSC Pad 39B on September 29, 1988, 

marked a Return to Flight after a 32-month hiatus in manned spaceflight following the 

Challenger accident. 

In the aftermath of the 2003 Columbia accident, a seven month investigation ensued, concluding 

with the findings of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB), which determined that 

both technical and management conditions accounted for the loss of the orbiter and crew. 

According to the CAIB Report, the physical cause of the accident was a breach in the TPS on the 

leading edge of the left wing, caused by a piece of insulating foam, which separated from the ET 

after launch and struck the wing.16 NASA spent more than two years researching and 

implementing safety improvements for the orbiters, SRBs and ET. Following a two-year hiatus, 

the launch of STS-114 on July 26, 2005, marked the first Return to Flight since the loss of 

Columbia. 

On January 14, 2004, President George W. Bush outlined a new space exploration initiative in a 

speech given at NASA Headquarters. 

Today I announce a new plan to explore space and extend a human presence 

across our solar system . . . Our first goal is to complete the International Space 

Station by 2010 . . . The Shuttle’s chief purpose over the next several years will be 

to help finish assembly of the International Space Station. In 2010, the Space 

Shuttle – after nearly 30 years of duty – will be retired from service...17

Following the President’s speech, NASA released The Vision for Space Exploration, which 

outlined the Agency’s approach to this new direction in space exploration.18 As part of this 

initiative, NASA will continue to use the Space Shuttle to complete assembly of the ISS. The 

Shuttle will not be upgraded to serve beyond 2010 and, after completing the ISS, the Space 

Shuttle Program will be retired. 

 

15 Lethbridge, 5. 

16 CAIB, 9. 

17 The White House. “A Renewed Spirit of Discovery – The President’s Vision for Space Exploration.” (January 

2004). 

18 NASA Headquarters. “The Vision for Space Exploration.” (February 2004). 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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Johnson Space Center 

The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) officially opened on-site in June 1964 as the 

Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC).19 This approximately 1,620-acre facility is located near Clear 

Lake, Texas, about 25 miles from downtown Houston, in Harris County. Many of the 

approximate 140 buildings are specialized facilities devoted to spacecraft systems, materials 

research and development, and/or astronaut training. JSC also includes the Sonny Carter 

Training Facility, located roughly 4.5 miles to the northwest of JSC, close to Ellington Field. 

Opened in 1997, this facility is situated on land acquired through a lease/purchase agreement 

with the McDonnell Douglas Corporation. In addition, NASA JSC owns some of the facilities at 

Ellington Field, which are generally where the aircraft used for astronaut training are stored and 

maintained. 

The origins of JSC can be traced to the summer of 1958 when three executives of the National 

Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, and 

Dr. Abe Silverstein, began to formulate a space program.20 Almost immediately, Gilruth began 

to focus on manned spaceflight, and subsequently convened a group of his LaRC associates, who 

compiled the basics of what would become Project Mercury, the first U.S. manned space 

program. Eight days following the activation of NASA, with the approval of NASA’s first 

administrator, Dr. T. Keith Glennan, the Space Task Group (STG) was created to implement this 

program. The group was formally established on November 3, 1958, with Gilruth named as 

Project Manager. The initial staff of the STG came from LaRC, but was soon supplemented with 

engineers from the Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory (now Glenn Research Center) and 

AVRO Aircraft, Ltd. of Canada.21

At first, the STG offices were located at LaRC. With the establishment of the Goddard Space 

Flight Center in Greensbelt, Maryland, in May 1959, plans were made to incorporate the STG 

into it, creating a new “space projects center.”22 It was later decided to leave the STG at LaRC 

until the completion of Project Mercury; however, by January 1961, it was obvious that the STG 

would need to develop into an autonomous center, and on January 3, it was designated as such.23

The May 25, 1961, announcement by President John F. Kennedy to send a man to the Moon by 

 

19 Following the death of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution to rename the 

Manned Spacecraft Center in his memory. “MSC Is Renamed ‘JSC’.” Roundup (12, 8), March 2, 1973, 1; “Capacity 

Crowd View Dedication Ceremonies.” Roundup (12, 20), August 31, 1973, 1 and 3. For ease of reference, JSC will 

be used throughout the text, with the exception of direct quotations from sources. 

20 Dryden was the Director of NACA; Gilruth was the head of the flight research section of NACA’s Langley 

Aeronautical Laboratory (now Langley Research Center) in Hampton, Virginia; and Silverstein was the Director of 

NACA’s Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory (now Glenn Research Center) in Cleveland, Ohio. As part of NASA’s 

establishment, NACA, was deactivated and all of its personnel and facilities were transferred to NASA. James M. 

Grimwood. Project Mercury: A Chronology. (Washington, D.C.: NASA, Office of Scientific and Technical 

Information, 1963); Roger D. Launius. NASA: A History of the U.S. Civil Space Program. (Malabar, Fla.: Krieger 

Publishing Company, 2001), 29. 

21 Grimwood; Loyd S. Swenson, Jr., James M. Grimwood and Charles C. Alexander. This New Ocean: A History of 

Project Mercury. (Washington, D.C.: NASA, Office of Technology Utilization, 1966), 153. 22 Swenson, et al., 115. 

23 Swenson, et al., 251. 
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the end of the decade reinforced the idea that the STG needed its independence, and soon. Thus, 

in August 1961, John Parsons, Associate Director of the Ames Research Center (ARC), was 

charged with establishing a survey team to locate a site for the new center.24

On September 19, 1961, James Webb, NASA Administrator, announced that Houston, Texas, 

would be the site for NASA’s new Center for manned spaceflight.25 Numerous factors influenced 

the choice of Houston as the home of the new Center. First of all, Rice University was willing to 

donate 1000 acres of land for the Center. Additionally, Houston met all of the requirements set 

forth in the selection criteria. For example, Ellington Air Force Base was located nearby, as were 

Clear Lake and Galveston Bay; these facilities could support air and barge traffic, respectively. 

Houston also has a year-round moderate climate, and both Rice University and the University of 

Houston were in close proximity to the new site.26 

On November 1, 1961, the STG officially became the “Manned Spacecraft Center,” with Gilruth 

as its first Director.27 The first JSC employees officially transferred to Houston from LaRC were 

Ed Campagna of the Facilities Division, John Powers, from Public Affairs, and Martin Byrnes, 

Site Manager; their first offices were two vacant dress shops in the Gulfgate Shopping Center, 

which were donated by its site manager, Marvin Kaplan.28 The trio was assigned the 

responsibilities of procuring temporary office space, hiring new personnel, and meeting with 

local organizations to help facilitate the needs of those co-workers who would soon be joining 

them.29 From November 1961 until April 1962, nearly 400 additional employees were 

transferred from LaRC to Houston; the new Center officially became operational in Houston on 

March 1, 1962, when Gilruth moved the JSC’s headquarters there.30

To supplement the 1000 acres of land promised by Rice University, NASA purchased an 

additional 620 acres, mainly to provide highway access for the estimated 4000 employees.31 In 

 

24 Swenson, et al., 363-364. 

25 Glennan resigned effective January 22, 1961 when President Eisenhower left office. Webb was sworn into office 

on February 15, 1961. Grimwood. 

26 From a political viewpoint, Houston was located within the district of U.S. House Representative, Albert Thomas, 

chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and Texas was the home state of Vice President Lyndon B. 

Johnson. Dr. Robert Gilruth Oral History Interview, February 27, 1987, 273-275, The Glennan-Webb-Seamans 

Project, National Air and Space Museum. 27 “STG Renamed; Will Move.” Space News Roundup (1, 1), November 1, 1961, 1. 28 Martin A. Byrnes, Jr., interview by Robert Merrifield, December 12, 1967, (Houston, TX, Archives Department, 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center), 6. 

29 Temporary offices were located in buildings throughout the Houston area, including the Phil Rich Building, the 

Farnsworth-Chambers Building, the Lane-Wells Building, the Canada Dry Bottling Building, and a Veterans 

Administration Building; and at Ellington Field. “Houston Site Offices Move to Rich Building.” Space News 

Roundup (1, 3), November 29, 1961, 1; “Move To Houston Area Is On Schedule.” Space News Roundup (1, 6), 

January 10, 1962, 1; “Photo Captions.” Space News Roundup (1, 18), June 27, 1962, 2. 30 Henry C. Dethloff. Suddenly, Tomorrow Came...A History of the Johnson Space Center. (Houston: Lyndon B. 

Johnson Space Center, 1993), 48. 

31 “Interview with I. Edward Campagna, Assistant Chief, Technical Services Division, Maintenance and 

Operations.” August 24, 1967, Box MERR1, Oral History Series. Johnson Space Center History Collection, 

University of Houston-Clear Lake; Dethloff, 48. 
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September 1961, the Fort Worth Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), under 

District Engineer, Colonel R. Paul West, was designated the construction agency for the new 

Center. Their first task was to hire an architecture/engineering (A/E) team to complete the initial 

design work for the new Center. Twenty teams were considered for the initial contract, and after 

three rounds of reviews and cuts, an A/E team headed by Brown & Root, Inc., of Houston, 

Texas, was selected. Partnered with them were master planners Charles Luckman Associates, 

Los Angeles, California; and the architectural firms of Brooks & Barr, Austin, Texas; Harvin C. 

Moore, Houston, Texas; MacKie & Kamrath, Houston, Texas; and Wirtz, Calhoun, Tungate, & 

Jackson, Houston, Texas.32 The nearly $1.5 million contract was officially awarded in December 

1961, and included general site development; master planning; design of the flight project 

facility, the engineering evaluation laboratory and the flight operations facility; and various site 

utilities.33 

Charles Luckman Associates developed the master plan of the JSC, and “did an outstanding job 

of meeting the functional requirements that had been set forth in developing a campus-like 

atmosphere for the facility.”34 The central “quad” area, bounded by 2nd Street on the west, 

Avenue D on the south, 5th Street on the east, and Avenue C on the north, included three 

“lagoons” surrounded by small, man-made hills, as well as various walkways, trees, and 

shrubs.35 Luckman Associates also advocated the use of a modular design system for the 

buildings with materials that could be manufactured off-site, which aided in the tight schedule 

for completion. Most of the buildings incorporated a poured concrete foundation, and skeletal 

steel walls faced with precast exposed aggregate facing (PEAF) panels. This allowed for the 

fabrication of the steel components while the foundation was being poured, and subsequently the 

manufacture of the PEAF panels while the steel skeleton was being erected.36

Initial construction of the JSC was completed in three main phases. The contract for the first 

phase, preliminary site development, was awarded on March 29, 1962, to a joint venture of 

Morrison-Knudsen Construction Company of Boise, Idaho, and Paul Hardeman of Stanton, 

California; it amounted to $3,673,000. They began the work in early April; it was completed on 

July 18, 1963.37 The task included “overall site grading and drainage, utility installations 

including an electrical power system, a complete water supply and distribution system, sanitary 

and storm drainage systems, basic roads, security fence and street lighting.”38 

The invitations to bid for the Phase II contract of the construction, which was the first to include 

actual buildings, were distributed in early July 1962. At first, the task included an office 

 

32 “Photo Captions.” Space News Roundup (1, 12), April 4, 1962, 2. 33 “Design Work Contract Is Let For Clear Lake.” Space News Roundup (1, 5), December 27, 1961, 8. 34 “Interview with James L. Ballard, Jr.” August 1, 1968, Box MERR1, Oral History Series. Johnson Space Center 

History Collection, University of Houston-Clear Lake. 

35 Campagna, August 24, 1967. 

36 Ballard, August 1, 1968; Campagna, August 24, 1967. 

37 “First Construction Contract Work Underway at Clear Lake.” Space News Roundup (1, 13), April 18, 1962, 1; 

“Clear Lake Site Commitment Now Stands At $38,911,458.” Space News Roundup (3, 4), December 11, 1963, 3. 38 “Interview with Jack P. Shields.” August 1, 1968, Box MERR4, Oral History Series. Johnson Space Center 

History Collection, University of Houston-Clear Lake; “First Construction Contract Work.” 
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building, a shop building and warehouse, a garage, a central heating and cooling plant, a fire 

station, and a sewage disposal plant, as well as all necessary paving and utilities for these 

structures.39 By the time bids were received and opened, the statement of work had been revised 

to exclude the office building, the shop building, and the warehouse, all of which were replaced 

by the Data Processing Center (Building 12). By the time the contract was let in October 1962, 

the task had changed a second time. In the end, the ACOE signed a contract with the joint 

venture of W.S. Bellows Construction Corporation and Peter Kiewit & Sons Corporation, both of 

Houston, in the amount of $4,145,044, for the construction of Building 12, the sewage disposal 

plant, the central heating and cooling plant, the fire station, and a water treatment plant and 

associated building.40 Of these facilities, the fire station was the first to be completed in 

September 1963; the central heating and cooling plant was last, finished in December 1963.41

Phase III of JSC’s construction incorporated the largest grouping of buildings under one contract. 

The invitations to bid on this phase were issued on September 25, 1962, and listed ten buildings 

with an approximate total area of 760,000 square feet.42 Similar to Phase II, the statement of 

work was revised prior to the submittal of the bids to include eleven office and lab buildings, and 

the temperature and humidity control machinery for the entire site. Interested firms were also 

asked to submit alternate proposals that incorporated additional facilities, which NASA was 

hoping to add to the contract if funding became available.43 On December 3, 1962, Colonel 

Francis P. Koish, the new ACOE District Engineer, signed the official contract, which amounted 

to roughly $19 million, with the joint venture of C.H. Leavell and Company of El Paso, Texas, 

Morrison-Knudsen Construction Company, and Paul Hardeman. Eleven major facilities were 

part of this contract, including the project management building, the cafeteria, the flight 

operations and astronaut training facility, the crew systems laboratory, the technical services 

office and shop buildings, the systems evaluation laboratory, a spacecraft research lab and office 

building, and a data acquisition building. Funding for the additional facilities had become 

available by this time, so additional support buildings, such as the shop building and warehouse, 

were also included. Per the contract, the buildings were to be ready for occupancy in 450 

calendar days.44

In October 1963, the Logistics Division became the first to move into its complete facility, the 

Support Office (Building 419) and its shops and warehouse (Building 420). By the end of 1963, 

 

39 “Second Major Clear Lake Building Contract Awarded.” Space News Roundup (1, 17), June 13, 1962, 8. 40 “Bids Open On Phase Two Of Clear Lake Work.” Space News Roundup (1, 23), September 5, 1962, 1; “Phase II 

Contract Goes to Bellows, Peter Kiewet, Sons.” Space News Roundup (1, 25), October 3, 1962, 8; Shields, August 1, 

1968. 

41 “Photo Captions.” Space News Roundup (2, 23), September 4, 1963, 3; “Central Heating and Cooling Plant 

Completed.” Space News Roundup (3, 5), December 25, 1963, 8. 42 “First Building Contract To Be Let In November.” Space News Roundup (1, 20), July 25, 1962, 8. 43 “Bids Open On Phase 3 Of Center Construction.” Space News Roundup (2, 2), November 11, 1962, 1-2. 44 “19 Million Dollar Construction Contract Signed.” Space News Roundup (2, 4), December 12, 1962, 1; “MSC 

‘Site’ Three-Fourths Complete, First Move Scheduled Next Month.” Space News Roundup (2, 24), September 18, 

1963, 1; Shields, August 1, 1968. 
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twelve additional buildings were certified as operational.45 The major relocation to the new 

Center occurred between February and April 1964, and included the occupation of facilities such 

as the Auditorium and Public Affairs Building (Building 1), the Flight Crew Operations Office 

(Building 4), the Flight Crew Operations Lab (Building 7), the Systems Evaluation Lab 

(Building 13), and the Spacecraft Technical Lab (Building 16). The Director’s office officially 

moved on March 6, 1964. During May, the Instrument and Electronics Lab (Building 15) was 

occupied, followed by the Manned Spaceflight Control Center, Houston (Building 30) at the end 

of June, when all leases on the temporary facilities expired.46

Since its beginnings as the STG, JSC has had four main tasks with regard to manned spaceflight: 

spacecraft development; mission control; research and development; and astronaut selection and 

training.47 The basic design guidelines for each space vehicle used during the Mercury, Gemini, 

Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs were developed by JSC engineers. JSC subsequently 

managed the contracts with private firms for spacecraft manufacture. It was also the 

responsibility of JSC engineers to develop the proper interfacing between the spacecraft and its 

respective launch vehicle, which was developed separately by NASA’s MSFC (MercuryRedstone, Apollo-Saturn, Shuttle SRBs, ET, and SSMEs) or the U.S. Air Force (Mercury-Atlas, 

Gemini-Titan).48 

In addition to spacecraft development and astronaut training, JSC is also responsible for mission 

control. Mission control begins once the space vehicle has cleared the launch pad, and ends when 

the vehicle lands.49 The key figure of mission control is the Flight Director, who makes all final 

decisions with regards to the proceedings. All communication between the ground and the 

spacecraft is coordinated through the Spacecraft Communicator. The mission control team also 

includes personnel who monitor all aspects of the space vehicle, such as flight dynamics, 

communications links, data processing, and instrumentation. Between missions, the controllers 

plan for the next flight, conduct various in-house training exercises, and aid with astronaut 

training.50

In conjunction with vehicle design, JSC has historically conducted related research and 

development, which generally falls into four categories: materials, electrical systems, life 

 

45 “MSC ‘Site’ Three-Fourths Complete;” “Major Move To Clear Lake Begins February 20.” Space News Roundup 

(3, 6), January 8, 1964, 1. 

46 “Majority of MSC Personnel Relocated At New Site.” Space News Roundup (3, 11), March 18, 1964, 2; “Final 

Relocation Of Center Employees Begins Today.” Space News Roundup (3, 18), June 24, 1964, 1. 47 “Gilruth Cites MSC Progress Despite Difficult Relocation.” Space News Roundup (1, 19), July 11, 1962, 1. 48 Archaeological Consultants, Inc. (ACI). Survey and Evaluation of NASA-owned Historic Facilities and 

Properties in the Context of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program. Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. 

November 2007, Section 4.3.1. 

49 Likewise, those who designed the launch vehicle generally handled the actual launch process. It should be noted 

that the Kennedy Space Center, which has conducted all launches for Apollo and Space Shuttle, grew from MSFC’s 

Launch Operations Directorate, which controlled the initial Mercury-Redstone launches. 50 All Mercury missions and the first four Gemini missions were controlled from the old Mercury Control Center at 

Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Mission Control Center at Houston took over starting with Gemini IV. ACI, Section 

4.3.3. 
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systems, and life sciences. The materials category includes development and testing of active 

thermal control systems as well as spacecraft structure testing. Electrical systems includes testing 

of the various interfaces with spacecraft hardware and software, ensuring there are no anomalies 

within the wiring and electronics systems, and confirming the ability of the spacecraft’s 

communications systems to connect to relay satellites and ground stations. Life systems and life 

sciences are inherently connected to one another and include the astronauts’ spacesuits and 

backpacks, as well as ensuring that their meals meet nutritional guidelines, taste good and store 

well.51 

The last major task of JSC, and probably the most well-known besides mission control, is 

astronaut selection and training. From the original “Mercury 7,” JSC has determined the criteria 

for astronaut selection and handled all interviews and examinations during the selection 

procedure. Additionally, the Center has established all training curricula, which provide 

astronauts with the basic knowledge needed to fly a mission and survive in emergency 

circumstances, as well as more specific training for tasks associated with a particular mission. 

Since Project Gemini, program-specific spacecraft simulators and trainers have been located 

within various buildings at JSC for astronaut training.52 

 

51 ACI, Section 4.3.4. 

52 ACI, Section 4.3.2. 
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Mission Control Center (Building 30) 

Construction 

Between 1962 and 1963, Kaiser Engineers of Oakland, California, completed the design for the 

Mission Control Center (MCC; Building 30). As originally conceived, the MCC had an 

Administrative Wing (Wing A) and a Mission Operations Wing (Wing M), which were 

connected by a Lobby Wing (Wing L). While the Administrative Wing contained three floors of 

office space for the mission operations staff, as well as a “Mission Briefing and Observation 

Auditorium” on the first floor, the Missions Operations Wing included two flight control rooms 

(FCRs), a recovery control room, simulation equipment rooms, and various data and 

communications processing areas.53 In October 1962, IBM was selected to assemble the realtime computer complex for processing data from the spacecraft; in March 1963, the Philco-Ford 

Western Development Laboratories in Palo Alto, California, received a contract to provide all 

other electronics equipment, such as the communications center, the flight simulator facilities, 

and the flight operations displays.54

In late 1962, work on the MCC’s foundation, structural steel frame, and roof frame was begun by 

the joint venture of W.S. Bellows Construction and Peter Kiewit Sons, Company, both of 

Houston, Texas. The bids for the remaining structural work were opened on March 15, 1963; the 

contract was awarded to Ets-Hokin and Galvan, Inc. of Houston, Texas.55 The firm finished the 

construction of the facility between June 1963 and November 1964, under the direction of the 

ACOE, for a cost of just over $8 million.56 In April 1964, IBM’s real-time computer complex 

was installed on the first floor of the Mission Operations Wing, and for the Gemini II mission, 

January 19, 1965, enough of Philco’s flight controller equipment had been installed to allow a 

team of controllers to practice with the equipment during the mission.57 The MCC served as a 

back-up control center to the one at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, for the third 

Gemini mission (March 23, 1965); it officially took over all manned flight control operations 

with the launch of Gemini IV (June 3, 1965).58 

Following Gemini IV, the remaining nine Gemini missions were also controlled from the FCR 

on the third floor. During this time frame, the FCR on the second floor was configured to 

monitor the earliest test flights for the Apollo Program, the first of which was Saturn-Apollo 201 

 

53 Kaiser Engineers, Oakland. “Integrated Mission Control Center.” January 31, 1963. On file, JSC Engineering 

Drawing Control Center. 

54 “NASA Names Philco For Contract Negotiations On Control Center.” Space News Roundup. (2, 8), February 6, 

1963, 1; “Philco IMCC Pact Signed For Total of $33.8 Million.” Space News Roundup. (2, 12), April 3, 1963, 1. 55 “Bids On Control Center Building Well Within Reach.” Space News Roundup. (2, 11), March 20, 1963, 7. 56 NASA JSC. “Real Property Record-Building 30.” On file, JSC, JSC Real Property Office, Center Operations 

Directorate. 

57 “Real-Time Computers Moved Into MCC.” Space News Roundup. (3, 14), April 29, 1964, 2; “Flight Controllers 

In Houston Control Center Monitor Data Relayed From Cape Kennedy.” Space News Roundup. (4, 8), February 3, 

1965, 2. 

58 “MCC-Houston Operational During GT-3 Mission.” Space News Roundup. (4, 12), April 2, 1965, 2; “Future 

Gemini Flights To Be Controlled Here.” Space News Roundup. (4, 13), April 16, 1965, 1. 
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on February 22, 1966. After Project Gemini was completed (November 1966), the third floor 

FCR underwent a major modification and reconfiguration, completed by November 1967, to help 

support the upcoming manned Apollo missions. Through the Apollo 10 mission, the two control 

rooms divided the work load. With the success of the Apollo 11 moon landing (July 20, 1969), 

controlled from the third floor FCR, the second floor FCR was deactivated and all remaining 

Apollo missions used the third floor FCR. Subsequently, the second floor control room was 

reactivated in October 1971, and reconfigured to control the Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz Test 

Project missions, while the third floor FCR was deactivated in May 1973.59

Preparations to modify the MCC for the Space Shuttle program began in the mid-1970s. In June 

1976, the IBM Corporation office in Gaithersburg, Maryland, was awarded a roughly $24 

million contract to provide the Space Shuttle Data Processing Complex (SSPDC), which would 

handle all of the communication and telemetry data from the shuttle vehicle. The work included 

“the design, fabrication, delivery, installation and checkout of the computer complex and 

associated software.”60 The following month, Aeronutronic-Ford (formerly Philco-Ford) was 

awarded a contract “for the design, development, implementation, test, and maintenance and 

operation of the Mission Control Center – Houston, covering the Shuttle Program, Design, 

Development, Test and Evaluation (DDT&E) period.” This included such features as the Orbital 

Flight Test Data Systems (OFTDS), the Shuttle Operation Data Systems (SODS), the Approach 

and Landing Test Data System (ALTDS), and the Shuttle Program Information Management 

Systems (SPIMS).61 

With the ALT program scheduled to start in February 1977, installation of the ALTDS began in 

August 1976; it was completed in December 1976. The system, whose main function was to 

allow flight control teams to monitor the ALT missions, was then integrated with the existing 

consoles in the third floor FCR, which came to be known as FCR-2.62 In June and July 1977, the 

MCC successfully supported the ALT’s three Captive-Active flights with the new software, 

followed by the ALT’s five Free-Flights from August through October 1977.63 On November 9, 

1977, the ALTDS was deactivated, and by the end of June 1979, all of the old equipment had 

been removed from the FCR-2, so it could be prepared for the operational phase of the Space 

Shuttle program.64 

While the FCR-2 was supporting the ALT program, the development and installation of the 

SSPDC continued. To support this complex, nearly the entire first floor of the Mission 

 

59 “Contractual History of Major Implementation and Operations Milestones.” January 10, 1985. Provided to 

Jennifer Ross-Nazzal by James R. Brandenburg, May 2009, F-2- F-8; Ray Loree. MCC Development History. 

August 1990. Provided to Jennifer Ross-Nazzal by James R. Brandenburg, May 2009, 11-14. 60 “Computer Contract Let.” Roundup. (15, 12), June 18, 1976, 1. 61 “Contractual History,” F-9. 

62 The third floor FCR had been deactivated in May 1973, after the last of the Apollo lunar missions. Although the 

equipment left in the room was outdated, it was still capable of supporting the simple monitoring tasks required for 

the ALT flights. Loree, 15; James R. Brandenburg, interview by Jennifer Ross-Nazzal, May 7, 2009, Houston, TX, 

Manuscript on file, Tessada & Associates, Houston, TX, 9. 

63 “Contractual History,” F-9; Jenkins, 211. 

64 “Contractual History,” F-10. 
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Operations Wing was reconfigured. This work mainly consisted of the subdivision of larger 

rooms, or the enlargement of smaller rooms, into new spaces that were assigned to hold specific 

system components. Coinciding with this effort were the preparations of the second floor FCR, 

which came to be known as FCR-1, to support the Orbital Flight Test phase of the Space Shuttle 

program. This task included the removal of the existing consoles, whose frames were then 

refurbished and fitted with new computers. The updated equipment, as well as additional 

consoles needed for new flight control positions, were then returned to the room and arranged 

per the needs of the new program.65 Once this work was complete, various interface tests 

between the SSPDC and the FCR equipment were conducted to ensure the system worked 

properly. 

In March 1979, FCR-1 successfully supported the first integrated simulation of the STS-1 

mission. Afterwards, in-house and integrated simulations continued on a weekly basis, allowing 

the control teams to become better acquainted with their equipment and the systems of the Space 

Shuttle.66 In November 1979, the room supported the first launch pad pre-launch test, and in 

January 1980, it participated in the first full mock mission of STS-1, in conjunction with the 

astronauts in their training simulators, that lasted thirty hours; an even longer simulation, at fiftyfour hours, occurred in April 1980.67 While all of these events were occurring, FCR-2 was 

officially reactivated and began its conversion for use during the Space Shuttle program. Similar 

to FCR-1, the process included the refurbishment of existing console frames, installation of new 

computers, and the arrangement of the consoles per program needs. In addition, a secure 

operations system was installed in this FCR, since it was designated as the sole control room for 

all Department of Defense (DoD) missions.68

From April 12-14, 1981, FCR-1 successfully supported the first flight of the Space Shuttle 

program, STS-1. It also provided flight control for the remaining three Orbital Test Flights, STS2 in November 1981, STS-3 in March 1982, and STS-4 in June and July 1982.69 In September 

1982, the first addition to the MCC, a visitor’s lobby along the east side of the Mission 

Operations Wing, was formally accepted. This lobby was constructed to support the security 

requirements of DoD missions, by providing a completely separate entrance for JSC visitors. 

This lobby contained an elevator that led only to the second floor of the Mission Operations 

Wing, giving tourists access solely to the Viewing Area of FCR-1.70 Two months later, FCR-2 

was used to control the first operational flight of the Space Shuttle program, STS-5.71 From that 

point through January 1986, FCR-1 controlled six flights, while FCR-2 controlled fourteen. 

 

65 Loree, 15; “There’s no ‘lull’ from the inside looking out.” Roundup. (17, 4), March 3, 1978, 4. 66 Integrated simulations typically involve both astronauts and flight controllers, the former within one of the 

astronaut training simulators in JSC Buildings 5 or 9, and the latter at their control station. Loree, 18-19. 67 Loree, 18-19; Lyn Cywanowicz. “30-Hour Simulation.” NASA JSC News Release No. 80-003, January 21, 1980; 

Lyn Cywanowicz. “54-Hour Simulation.” NASA JSC News Release No. 80-025, April 17, 1980. 

68 Loree, 15. 

69 “Contractual History,” F-13, F-14; Loree, 19. 70 NASA JSC, “Building 30;” Loree, 17; “Two buildings close public tour areas for security repairs.” Roundup. (19, 

23), November 14, 1980, 3. 

71 Loree, 19. 
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FCR-2 supported the first dedicated DoD mission in January 1985, and was also the control 

room in use during the Challenger accident.72

During the thirty-two month stand-down following the Challenger accident, the MCC underwent 

some significant changes. Between January and September 1986, all of the mainframe computers 

within the SSDPC were replaced with newer models, as were the voice integration systems. In 

addition, all of the SSDPC’s data input and output devices were upgraded. Afterwards, all of the 

MCC’s consoles and console interfacing equipment were replaced with workstations and local 

area networks, an effort which was not completed until 1989.73 In 1987, the MCC received its 

second addition, a 3,472 square foot extension to the north end of the Mission Operations Wing, 

to provide additional mechanical rooms and storage spaces.74 The same year, the Mission 

Evaluation Room (MER), which had been located in nearby Building 45 (Project Engineering 

Building), was upgraded and moved to the third floor of the MCC’s Lobby Wing due to DoD 

requirements.75 

From September 29 to October 3, 1988, FCR-1 supported STS-26, the Return to Flight mission 

following the Challenger accident. In December of 1988, FCR-2 supported STS-27, the first 

DoD mission following the Challenger accident.76 In December 1989, the two control rooms 

received new front glass display screens and image projectors, after the coating on the old glass 

screens deteriorated. The new screens also featured enhanced optical qualities and had the 

capability of being washed.77 From January 1989 through December 1992, FCR-2 served as the 

control room for six additional flights, all of which were DoD missions. Afterwards, all of the 

equipment was decommissioned, and the room was returned to its Apollo-era configuration and 

made accessible to visitors. FCR-1 continued to support the Space Shuttle program until 1996, 

providing complete flight control for an additional forty missions (the last being STS-71 in June 

1995), and partial flight control for six missions, as detailed below.78 

In 1989, the largest addition to the facility, the Station Operations Wing, was designed by the 

firm of Haldeman Powell Johns of Dallas, Texas. Intended to support the space station program 

then under development, this five-story addition included a new FCR, operations integration 

areas, systems support areas, and planning areas. The new wing was built around the southwest 

corner of the Mission Operations Wing by the contractor firm of J.W. Bateson Company, Inc, 

and was formally accepted for use in 1992. Due to budget cuts in both the shuttle and space 

station programs, and the fact that the new FCR, called the White FCR, featured “unprecedented 

flexibility in flight control operations,” Space Shuttle mission control began a two year move 

 

72 Loree, 19-22. 

73 Loree, 23-24. 

74 Loree, 24; NASA JSC. “Building 30.” 

75 Loree, 24; “New Mission Evaluation Room ready.” Space News Roundup. (27, 8), April 8, 1988, 2. 76 Loree, 27. 

77 Due to the historic status of the control rooms, the old screens were placed in storage for possible future use. 

Linda Copley. “Replacing the irreplaceable.” Space News Roundup. (29, 1), January 5, 1990, 1. 78 Loree, 27-28; Robert D. Legler. “Responses to Questions about Historical Mission Control.” Memo to John 

Getter, April 7, 1977. Provided to Jennifer Ross-Nazzal by James R. Brandenburg, May 2009. 
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from FCR-1 to the White FCR in 1994.79 The White FCR ran its first shuttle simulations in 

December 1994, and in July 1995, controlled the on-orbit operations for STS-71, while FCR-1 

monitored ascent and entry activities.80

The next six Space Shuttle missions (STS-69, STS-73, STS-74, STS-72, STS-75, and STS-76) 

were all controlled in the same fashion, with the ascent and entry phases of the flight being 

monitored from FCR-1, and the on-orbit activities controlled from the White FCR. With the 

STS-77 mission in May 1996, the White FCR completely took over Space Shuttle mission 

control operations. FCR-1 was transformed into the ISS control room in 2005, and is currently 

monitoring the events on the station twenty-four hours a day.81 

In 1998, the MCC received a second, three-story mechanical room addition, located along the 

west elevation of the Mission Operations Wing. The last of the facility’s mainframe computers in 

the SSPDC was decommissioned and replaced in 2002. In 2004, a new Mission Evaluation 

Room (MER) was created on the third floor of the Mission Operations Wing, and in 2005, a new 

Mission Management Team area was constructed on the first floor of the Mission Operations 

Wing.82

MCC Functions 

The MCC, which falls under JSC’s Mission Operations Directorate, is “responsible for providing 

operational support to the nation’s manned space flight programs,” with the goal of ensuring the 

safety and success of all missions.83 The facility is typically staffed ‘around-the-clock’ in support 

of maintenance, development, testing, training, and flight operation activities.84 All of these 

activities occur within one or more of the three mission phases: planning, training, or flight.85

While the nature of these phases has not changed over the life of the shuttle program, there have 

been variances due to mission specific activities or software/equipment upgrades, as well as the 

technical experience of the flight controllers. However, in general, flight controllers spend 

roughly 10 percent of their time controlling missions, 15 percent of their time training for those 

missions, and 75 percent of their time planning for the missions.86

The planning phase of a mission typically begins two to three years prior to the actual flight, 

although during the early years of the program, it was generally started three to four years before 

the flight. During this phase, flight controllers, payload operations personnel, and other 

managers, develop a flight plan for the mission. The flight plan details all aspects of a mission, 

from large tasks, such as payload deployment, to the smallest of activities, such as when the crew 

 

79 James Hartsfield. “Old, new meet in Mission Control.” Space News Roundup. (33, 48), December 30, 1994, 1. 80 “Tools change, but ‘Houston’ still Mission Control call sign.” Space News Roundup. (34, 22), June 2, 1995, 1. 81 Legler; Rebecca Marsh, personal communication with Trish Slovinac of ACI, October 20, 2010, via e-mail. 

82 Brandenburg, 8; NASA JSC. “Building 30.” 

83 “This is Mission Control, Houston.” Space News Roundup. (32, 37), September 20, 1993, 3. 84 “This is Mission Control.” 85 As defined by James R. Brandenburg, who worked in the MCC from 1967 until 2007. Brandenburg, 9-10. 

86 NASA. “Elements of a Space Mission.” Last modified October 6, 2010. 
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members sleep. Also during the planning phase, the procedures for the different phases of the 

flight (i.e., ascent, orbit, entry) are developed, as are the specific mission rules. Also during this 

time, flight controllers take into account any software upgrades or reconfigurations for that 

particular flight, as well as any physical changes to the orbiter. Once the planning for a mission 

is completed, and all software upgrades and reconfigurations have been tested and verified, the 

flight controllers can begin to train for the flight.87 

The training phase currently begins roughly three months before the flight, and typically 

encompasses about 300 to 400 total hours, as opposed to the over 2,000 training hours for STS-1. 

Training exercises allow flight control personnel to become familiar with the flight plan, the 

mission procedures, and any upgrades or reconfigurations to the shuttle software. Training 

activities can be done “in-house” with only flight controllers, or “integrated,” where the FCR is 

connected to an astronaut training simulator, the launch pad, the Payload Operations Control 

Center, the tracking network, or any combination of these. The training regimen consists of 

short-duration exercises that cover a specific phase of a flight, such as ascent, entry, and on-orbit 

operations, including payload deployment, and long-duration simulations, which typically 

involve all phases of the flight.88 During any of these activities, various malfunctions can be 

introduced into the simulation, to allow the controllers and astronauts to practice emergency 

procedures.89 

The flight phase of the MCC operations centers around the shuttle mission. Approximately two 

days before launch, the Ground Controller (see below) begins to man his station, and 

communicate with the now powered-up vehicle at the launch pad. At T-12 hours to launch, the 

remainder of the flight controllers arrive at the FCR, and begin their preparations for the flight. 

The flight control team operates over three shifts, to cover the entire twenty-four hour day. Each 

shift is eight hours long, plus a half-hour transition period at the beginning and end, and includes 

at least one flight controller for every pertinent system.90 There are twenty-three designated flight 

controller positions, as follows (see Figure 2):91

1. The Flight Director (FLIGHT) is the designated leader of the team, who controls the 

overall mission and payload operations and makes decisions with regards to the crew’s 

safety. 

2. The Mission Operations Directorate Manager (MOD) provides an interface between the 

FCR and top NASA officials and mission managers. 

 

87 Brandenburg, 9-15; “This is Mission Control.” 88 Ascent and entry exercises typically last for about four hours each and on-orbit exercises generally take eight to 

ten hours each. The long-durations simulations typically extend for one to three days. Brandenburg, 13; “Sim 

report.” Space News Roundup. (20, 3), January 30, 1981, 1; “STS-2 Sim.” Space News Roundup. (20, 14), July 17, 

1981, 1. 

89 Brandenburg, 9-15; Joe Morris, personal communication with Joan Deming of ACI, November 6, 2009, Houston, 

TX. 

90 Brandenburg, 13-14; Morris. Some flight controller positions are only needed during specific portions of a 

mission, such as the Booster Systems manager who is only required during launch. 

91 “This is Mission Control;” NASA. “Johnson Space Center: Mission Control Center.” NASA Facts, NP-2006-02-

002-JSC, 2006. 
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3. The Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) serves as the link between the FCR and the 

astronauts. 

4. The Flight Activities Officer (FAO) plans and supports all crew checklists, procedures 

and schedules, and plans and manages the orientation of the orbiter in space. 

5. The Payload Deployment and Retrieval Systems (PDRS) Manager supports the 

operations of the remote manipulator system, or robot arm, and coordinates the 

deployment, retrieval, and positioning of satellites and other cargo. 

6. The Public Affairs Officer (PAO) provides mission commentary to the news media and 

the public. 

7. The Instrumentation and Communications Officer (INCO) monitors the in-flight 

communications and instrument systems, as well as controls the orbiter’s TV system. 

8. The Data Processing Systems Engineer (DPS) Manager monitors the status of the data 

processing systems, including the five general purpose computers on the orbiter, the 

flight-critical and launch data lines, and the multifunction display systems. In addition, 

the manager watches the mass memories and systems level software. 

9. The Payloads Officer (PAYLOADS) coordinates the interfaces between the flight crew 

and the payload users, and monitors the on-board experiments and satellites. 

10. Recently, the PAYLOADS console has been shared with the Assembly and Checkout 

Officer (ACO), who is responsible for the development of ISS. 

11. The Guidance, Navigation and Control Systems Engineer (GNC) monitors the vehicle’s 

guidance, navigation and control systems and advises the crew of any guidance hardware 

malfunctions. He/she also notifies the flight director and crew of any impending aborts. 

12. The Propulsion Officer (PROP) monitors and evaluates the orbiter’s reaction control 

system and orbital maneuvering system jets and propellants. 

13. The Flight Dynamics Officer (FDO) plans maneuvers and monitors trajectories. 

14. The Trajectory Officer (TRAJECTORY) assists the FDO during the dynamic phases of 

flight, and is responsible for maintaining the trajectory processors in the MCC. 

15. The Ground Controller (GC) monitors MCC hardware, software and support facilities. In 

addition, he/she maintains the links between the Ground Space Flight Tracking and Data 

Network (GSTDN) and the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS), with 

Goddard. 

16. The Maintenance, Mechanical, Arm and Crew Systems Officer (MMACS) monitors the 

orbiter’s structural and mechanical systems, and on-board crew hardware and equipment. 

17. The Electrical Generation and Illumination Engineer (EGIL) monitors the orbiter’s 

electrical systems, fuel cells and their cryogenics, the AC and DC circuits, pyrotechnics, 

lighting, and the caution and warning systems. 

18. The Emergency, Environment and Consumables Operations Manager (EECOM) 

monitors the passive and active thermal controls, the cabin atmosphere, the avionics 

cooling, the supply and waste water system, and the fire detection and suppression 

system. 

19. The Surgeon (SURGEON) monitors the crew’s health and coordinates any medical 

operations. 
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20. The Rendezvous Guidance and Procedures Officer (RENDEZVOUS) monitors a shuttle 

mission during deployment, rendezvous and proximity operations, and docking and 

undocking operations. 

21. The Ascent/Entry Guidance and Procedures Officer (GUIDANCE), who monitors the 

guidance and navigation systems and execution of crew procedures in an ascent abort 

contingency, shares a console with RENDEZVOUS. 

22. The Booster Systems Manager (BOOSTER) monitors and evaluates the SSMEs, SRBs, 

and ET during launch and ascent. 

23. The Extravehicular Systems Activities Director (EVA) coordinates spacewalks from both 

the shuttle and the ISS and shares a console with BOOSTER. 

During the mission, each of the flight controllers has three to five specialists supporting them 

from one of the Multi-Purpose Support Rooms (MPSRs), located throughout the MCC. The 

operators in this room aid the controllers by monitoring both ground and orbiter systems, which 

enables them to quickly respond to a contingency situation. Additionally, they can provide 

detailed analysis information to the controllers, if requested.92 

Additional mission support is provided by the personnel located in the MER. Typically, there are 

120 engineers staffing the room during pre-launch, launch, and entry, and between twenty and 

fifty people during on-orbit operations. The group’s work begins roughly twenty-four hours prior 

to the launch, when they assist the launch control and mission control teams in evaluating any 

violations of the launch commit criteria. During the mission, the group assists the flight control 

team by providing detailed information on the various orbiter systems. In the case of a 

contingency situation, the engineers in this room will assist in evaluating the situation and 

recommending an appropriate course of action.93

 

92 Brandenburg, 13; “This is Mission Control.” 

93 “This is Mission Control;” “New Mission Evaluation Room ready.” 
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Physical Description

As defined by the “Survey and Evaluation of NASA-owned Historic Facilities and Properties in 

the Context of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, 

Texas,” the significance of the MCC, with regards to the SSP, is derived from “the ‘historic’ 

FCR (Room 331) and its projection room (Room 330), viewing area (Room 332), the NASA 

Headquarters representative’s office (Room 332A), and the JSC director’s office (Room 332B); 

the Red FCR (Room 316); and the SSP MER (Room 313), all within Wing M, as well as the 

White FCR (Room 2306) and its projection room (Room 2300) and viewing area (Room 2M336) 

within Wing S.”94 However, it should be noted that during the field work for this documentation 

package, the function of Room 2300 was clarified as a “Multi-Purpose Support Room,” rather 

than a projection room.95

The MCC has approximate overall dimensions of 560’ in length (east-west) and 331’ in width 

(north-south). The entire building has a reinforced concrete foundation and a flat, built-up roof. It 

is comprised of four distinct wings: the Administrative Wing (Wing A), the Lobby Wing (Wing 

L), the Mission Operations Wing (Wing M), and the Station Operations Wing (Wing S). These 

areas are arranged so that Wing A is at the east end of the facility, with Wing M parallel to it; in 

between is Wing L, which connects the two. Wing S is located at the southwest corner of Wing 

M. 

Wing A (Photo Nos. 2-7) measures roughly 291’ in length (north-south), 151’ in width (eastwest), and has a height of 45’; its walls are constructed of plate glass windows. The first floor 

walls are shaded by a 10’-deep PEAF panel canopy that is supported by free-standing pillars, 

which sit roughly 4’ from the glass wall and are spaced at 28’ on center. The upper two floors are 

shaded by a 5’-deep PEAF panel canopy. There are two entrances into Wing A from the exterior: 

a pair of metal swing doors on the east elevation, and a pair of sliding doors on the north 

elevation. Internally, this wing contains three floor levels, each with offices around the perimeter 

and support rooms in the center. 

Wing L has rough dimensions of 84’ in length (east-west), 56’ in width (north-south), and 45’ in 

height (Photo Nos. 1, 8). The central 58’ of the north and south walls are constructed of plate 

glass window, while the remaining 13’ at each end have PEAF panel walls; the east and west 

walls are internal partitions shared with Wing A and Wing M, respectively. The glass centers of 

the first floor walls have an approximate 5’ set back, and each contains two pairs of glass swing 

doors. Above this recess, at both the second and third floor levels, are PEAF panel canopies, 

which have a depth of roughly 9’. Shading these canopies is a pierced pre-cast concrete screen 

that extends from the base of the second floor to the roof line (Photo No. 15). Internally, the first 

floor contains the formal lobby area for the MCC, and the second and third floors contain office 

and work areas. 

 

94 ACI, 6.2.5. The “historic” FCR was referred to as FCR-2 while it supported the Space Shuttle program, and prior 

to that as the third floor FCR. 

95 Rebecca Marsh, personal communication with Joan Deming and Trish Slovinac of ACI, November 5, 2009, 

Houston, TX. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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Wing M measures approximately 255’ in length (north-south), 171’ in width (east-west), and 

53’-6” in height (Photo Nos. 9-12, 14). It has walls constructed of a steel skeleton faced with 

PEAF panels, and features one pair of metal swing doors on the north elevation, and one pair of 

metal swing doors on the west elevation. The first floor contains flight operations and mission 

support facilities for the SSP and the ISS, as well as communications rooms, libraries, and 

storage areas. The second floor (Photo No. 117) contains FCR-1 (Room 231), which presently 

serves as the control room for the ISS, as well as mission development areas; the third floor 

(Photo No. 118) contains the “historic” FCR (Room 331), mission support areas, training and 

development rooms (such as the Red FCR, Room 316), office space, and storage rooms. 

Wing S (Photo Nos. 11, 13, 14) wraps around the southwest corner of Wing M, and has rough 

dimensions of 202’ in length (east-west), 127’ in width (north-south), and 110’ in height. Like 

Wing M, it has walls constructed of a steel skeleton faced with PEAF panels. Wing S features 

one pair of metal swing doors and one single swing door on the north elevation, one pair of metal 

swing doors on the east elevation, and two pairs of metal swing doors on the south elevation. 

Internally, Wing S contains five floor levels. The first floor contains mission support areas for 

the ISS, and the second floor (Photo No. 105) holds the White FCR (Room 2306), and spaces for 

mission planning and support, flight operations, and training. The third floor consists of mission 

control areas, mission support rooms, and training facilities; the fourth floor contains mission 

planning and support areas, development rooms, and some training facilities. The fifth floor 

includes flight operations service areas, training rooms, and mission support facilities. 

White Flight Control Room/Viewing Area 

The White FCR (WFCR), located on the second floor level of Wing S, has approximate 

dimensions of 55’ in length (east-west), 48’ in width (north-south), and has a floor to ceiling 

height of 17’ (Photo Nos. 17-29). In general, the room has painted gypsum board walls, an 

acoustic tile ceiling, and a carpeted floor. It is oriented so that the west wall constitutes the front 

of the room and the east wall, which is shared with the Viewing Area, is the back of the room. 

The west wall features a large viewing screen that displays images from three ceiling-mounted 

projectors, located roughly 20’ away from the wall surface (Photo Nos. 17, 45). The north wall 

(Photo Nos. 24-26) contains one pair of metal swing doors near its west end. It also has two 

video cameras, one at the west end and the other near the center, that are mounted approximately 

12’ above the finished floor. 

At the top of the east end of the north wall is a 6’ x 8’ window that abuts a similar one on the east 

wall. These two windows correspond to the Center Director’s suite, which is situated on the 

second floor mezzanine level (Photo Nos. 24, 36). Underneath the window on the east wall is a 

video camera; the remainder of the east wall contains a 4’-high band of gypsum board at the 

bottom, above which is a 41’-long x 15’-high expanse of glass comprised of six sections that 

allow the people in the Viewing Area to see into the FCR (Photo No. 22). Below the northern 

five sections of glass is a narrow planter, with an approximate 1’ depth. At the top of the east end 

of the south wall are two windows where the media room is located on the mezzanine level. The 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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only other features of the south wall are a metal swing door and a wall-mounted video camera 

near its west end (Photo Nos. 18-20). 

The floor area of the WFCR contains five rows of consoles; each console is slightly curved and 

contains three built-in video monitors and two controller stations (see Figure 2 and Photo No. 

28).96 The front row of consoles is roughly in line with the doors on the north and south walls, 

and therefore contains only three consoles, while the other four rows each contain four consoles. 

Additionally, the front three rows are divided by a central aisle, while the back two rows are 

divided by two aisles. In the front row, there are two consoles (FDO/RENDEZVOUS) to the 

south of the aisle and one (GC) to the north. In the second and third rows, there are two consoles 

on either side of the aisle. On the south is the PROPULSION and GNC consoles (Photo No. 29) 

in the second row and the DPS and ACO/PAYLOADS consoles in the third row; to the north 

side of the aisle are the MMACS and EGIL consoles in the second row, and the FAO (Photo No. 

30) and EECOM consoles in the third row. The fourth and fifth rows are arranged so that there is 

a pair of consoles in the center, flanked on either side by an aisle, and then a single console 

against the wall. The consoles in the fourth row are, from left to right, the INCO, FLIGHT 

(Photo No. 34), CAPCOM (Photo No. 33), and PDRS consoles. The fifth row contains the PAO, 

MOD, EVA/BOOSTER (Photo No. 32), and SURGEON consoles, from left to right. 

As previously mentioned, the WFCR has a Viewing Area to its east that sits on the mezzanine 

level (Photo Nos. 37-41). The Viewing Area has approximate overall dimensions of 41’ in length 

(north-south), 26’ in width (east-west), and has a floor to ceiling height that ranges from 9’ at its 

east end (rear) to 15’ at its west end (front). Similar to the WFCR, it contains painted gypsum 

board walls, an acoustical tile ceiling, and a carpeted floor. At the northeast corner is a small 

foyer that connects the Viewing Area to the Center Director’s suite, and also serves as one of two 

entry points, with a metal swing door on its east wall. The second point of entry to the viewing 

area is a pair of metal swing doors at the east end of the south wall. 

Internally, the Viewing Area is divided into two spaces: a front area with seating and a back area 

for standing. The front area contains five rows of stadium-style seating, which are divided 

roughly in half by a central aisle. To the south of the aisle are nine seats in each of the front four 

rows and seven in the back row; to the north of the aisle, there are seven seats in each row. The 

seating can also be accessed from an aisle along the north wall or an aisle along the south wall. 

Behind the last row of seats, on each side of the center aisle, is a line of desks for use by those 

who are standing in the back area. The back area has a width of about 6’-6”, and is on the same 

level as the last row of seating. Both the northwest and southwest corners have flat-screened 

monitors suspended from the ceiling. 

Multi-Purpose Support Room 

The Multi-Purpose Support Room (Photo Nos. 42 and 43) is an “L”-shaped area that wraps along 

the southwest corner of the WFCR. The room has rough overall dimensions of 89’ in length 

 

96 See pages 18-20 for the responsibilities of each position. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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(north-south), 89’ in width (east-west), and 12’ in height. It has painted gypsum board walls, an 

acoustical tile ceiling, and a raised tile floor. The room can be entered directly from the south 

side of the WFCR through a metal swing door. It also has two entrances along its east wall (a 

pair of metal swing doors and a single metal swing door) and one entrance (a pair of metal swing 

doors) on its north wall. The room also features a metal rolling door on its west wall, which 

serves as an emergency exit directly to the exterior. Distributed throughout the Multi-Purpose 

Support Room are multiple groups of computer consoles. 

SSP Mission Evaluation Room 

The SSP MER (Photo Nos. 44-49) is located on the third floor of Wing M, and extends across 

the south exterior wall. This room, which measures approximately 124’ in length (east-west), 48’ 

in width, and 12’ in height, has painted gypsum board walls, an acoustical tile ceiling, and a 

carpeted floor. The MER is typically accessed from one of three entrances along the north wall, 

which includes two pairs of metal swing doors, one at each end, and a single metal swing door, 

just west of the centerline. Along the east wall are two single metal swing doors, each of which 

leads to a support area; an additional support/storage room is located in the southwest corner. 

Other features of the MER’s walls include two video screens and two white boards on the north 

wall, two white boards on the west wall, and four video screens and two white boards on the 

south wall. 

Similar to the WFCR, the SSP MER contains pairs of computer consoles across the entire floor 

area, clustered in different arrangements (Figure 3). In the west third of the room, the pairs of 

consoles are arranged in four rows, which are divided into three sections by walkways. Only one, 

the third row from the west in the central cluster, contains only one console station. The 

engineers at these stations face eastward. The central area of the room has a similar layout of 

consoles with four rows, divided by walkways into three sections. The north three rows face 

south, while the south row faces north. The second row from the north at the east end contains 

only one console station. At the east end, there are two rows of consoles, divided into three 

sections by walkways, all of which face west. 

“Historic” Flight Control Room/Viewing Area/Projection Room97

The “Historic” FCR measures approximately 65’ in length (east-west) and 52’ in width (northsouth); its floor-to-ceiling height varies from 12’ to 15’. The room is comprised of painted 

gypsum board walls, an acoustical tile ceiling, and a carpeted floor. The front (west) wall 

contains large projection screens (Photo No. 53), which are fed from the projection room to its 

west. The back (east) wall (Photo No. 57) contains five large fixed windows, which provide 

visual access to the FCR from its viewing area. The FCR has a metal swing door on its left 

(south) wall (Photo No. 55), and a pair of metal swing doors on its right (north) wall (Photo No. 

 

97 JSC contracted with the National Park Service, HABS/HAER/HALS Program, in March 2010, to prepare a HAER 

Level I documentation of the Historic Flight Control Room and its supporting areas; therefore, only a brief 

description of these areas are included here. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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59). Along the north wall is a small corridor that leads to another pair of metal swing doors on 

the east wall. 

The floor of the FCR is comprised of four stepped levels. The lowest level corresponds to the 

front of the room, and has a width of 41’; the corridor along the north wall is a continuation of 

this base level. The other three steps each have a length of 35’, a width of 8’, and sit 1’-2” higher 

than the previous step. All four of these levels contain a row of consoles, which are presently 

arranged in their Apollo Program configuration. The front row is divided into two pairs of 

consoles, with the Booster Systems Engineer and Retrofire Officer consoles in the south half, 

and the Flight Dynamics Officer and Guidance Officer consoles in the north half. In the second 

row, there are three Vehicle Systems Engineer consoles to the north and the Flight Surgeon and 

CapCom consoles to the south. The third row is grouped so that the Flight Director’s console is 

at the center, and is flanked on each side by a pair of consoles. The two consoles on the north 

side were manned by the Flight Activities Officer and the Network Controller; the two on the 

south side were for the Assistant Flight Director and the Communications Systems 

Engineer/Operations Procedures Officer. The fourth row is comprised of four individual 

consoles, which were used by the Public Affairs Officer, the Flight Operations Director, the 

Mission Director, and the DoD Representative. 

The Viewing Area (Photo Nos. 61-64), which sits to the east of the FCR, has approximate 

dimensions of 65’ in length (north-south), 26’ in width (east-west), and has a ceiling height that 

ranges from 8’ to 10’. The room has five tiers of seating, with access steps at either end. Behind 

the back row of seats is a standing desk area; each of the back corners of the Viewing Area has 

two telephone booths (Photo No. 65). The room has a set of double doors at each end of the back 

wall. To the north of the Viewing Area is the JSC Director’s office, with rough dimension of 8’ 

in length and 7’ in width. It has windows on the south, west, and east walls, and is entered 

through a wood swing door on the east wall. An identical room sits to the south of the Viewing 

Area, and is referred to as the Headquarters Flight Operations Representative’s office. 

To the west of the FCR is its Projection Room (Photo Nos. 69-71), which has rough overall 

dimensions of 65’ in length (north-south), 36’ in width (east-west), and 15’ in height. This area is 

entered through a pair of metal swing doors located in the northwest corner of the FCR. The 

Projection Room has gypsum board walls, an acoustical tile ceiling, and a floor, all of which are 

painted black. It is currently used as a storage area, but still contains some of the old metalframed mirrors used to project images to the FCR screens (Photo Nos. 72, 73). 

Red Flight Control Room 

The Red FCR (RFCR) is located on the third floor of Wing M, to the west of the “historic” FCR 

(Photo Nos. 74-77). It has approximate overall dimensions of 65’ in length (north-south), 49’ in 

width (east-west), and 12’ in height. It has painted gypsum board walls, a carpeted floor, and an 

acoustic tile ceiling. Access to this room is provided by a single metal swing door on the south 

wall, a pair of metal swing doors on the west wall, a single metal swing door on the north wall 

(connecting the RFCR to a maintenance and operations room), and a pair of metal swing doors 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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on the east wall (leading to the projection room of the “Historic” FCR). On its front (west) wall 

are three projection screens, each of which displays the image from one of three ceiling-mounted 

projectors (Photo No. 78). 

The consoles in the RFCR are arranged in three long rows, surrounded by walkways along the 

four walls. Like the working control rooms, each console is dedicated to a specific function, 

although they are not in the same location as they are in the real control center. For example, the 

Flight Director is located in the center of the second row of consoles, and the EECOM is located 

near the end of the first row. Another example is the GC console which is located at the back left 

corner of the RFCR, as opposed to the front right corner of the WFCR. Metal storage cabinets 

line the east wall of the RFCR. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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Figure 1. Location of the Mission Control Center. 

Source: JSC, 2006. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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Figure 2. Flight Controller Console layout, White Flight Control Room. 

Source: NASA. “Johnson Space Center: Mission Control Center.” NP-2006-02-002-JSC, 2006. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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Figure 3. Console layout, Mission Evaluation Room. 

Source: NASA JSC, 2009. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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INDEX TO PHOTOGRAPHS 

Photographs MCC-1 through MCC-78 were taken by Patricia Slovinac, ACI; September 2009. 

Historic photographs (MCC-79 through MCC-91) are courtesy of the NASA JSC Imaging 

Center (Building 424), Houston, Texas; the negative number is given in parentheses. 

MCC-1 View of south elevation (Wing L), facing north. 

MCC-2 View of south elevation (Wing A), facing north. 

MCC-3 View of south and east elevations (Wing A), facing northwest. 

MCC-4 View of east elevation (Wing A), facing west. 

MCC-5 View of east and north elevations (Wing A), facing southwest. 

MCC-6 View of north elevation (Wing A), facing south. 

MCC-7 View of north and west elevations (Wing A), facing southeast. 

MCC-8 View of north elevation (Wing L), facing south. 

MCC-9 View of east and north elevations (Wing M), facing southwest. 

MCC-10 View of north elevation (Wing M), facing south. 

MCC-11 View of north and west elevations (Wings M and S), facing southeast. 

MCC-12 View of west elevation (Wing M), facing east. 

MCC-13 View of west elevation (Wing S), facing east. 

MCC-14 View of south elevation (Wings S and M), facing north. 

MCC-15 Detail view of decorative pattern on Wing L north elevation, facing south. 

MCC-16 Detail view of NHL marker in north courtyard of MCC, facing west. 

MCC-17 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from center back, facing west. 

MCC-18 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from back right corner, facing 

southwest. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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MCC-19 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from center right, facing south. 

MCC-20 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from front right, facing 

southeast. 

MCC-21 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from center front, facing 

northeast. 

MCC-22 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from center front, facing east. 

MCC-23 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from center front, facing 

southeast. 

MCC-24 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from front left, facing northeast. 

MCC-25 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from center left, facing north. 

MCC-26 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from back left, facing northwest. 

MCC-27 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from Room 2M336/Viewing 

Room, facing southwest. 

MCC-28 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from Room 2M336/Viewing 

Room, facing west. 

MCC-29 View of Room 2306/White Flight Control Room from Room 2M336/Viewing 

Room, facing northwest. 

MCC-30 Detail view of Flight Activities Officer console in Room 2306, facing northwest. 

MCC-31 Detail view of Propulsion (back) and Guidance, Navigation and Control Systems 

Engineer (front) consoles in Room 2306, facing southwest. 

MCC-32 Detail view of Booster Systems Engineer console in Room 2306, facing 

northwest. 

MCC-33 Detail view of Spacecraft Communicator’s console in Room 2306, facing 

northwest. 

MCC-34 Detail view of Flight Director’s console in Room 2306, facing northwest. 

MCC-35 Detail view of projection screen and camera, facing southwest. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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MCC-36 Detail view of Center Director’s Suite (Room 2M318) from Room 2306, facing 

northeast. 

MCC-37 View of Room 2M336/Viewing Area for Room 2306 from back right, facing 

southwest. 

MCC-38 View of Room 2M336/Viewing Area for Room 2306 from back center, facing 

northwest. 

MCC-39 View of Room 2M336/Viewing Area for Room 2306 from center left, facing 

north. 

MCC-40 View of Room 2M336/Viewing Area for Room 2306 from front left, facing 

northeast. 

MCC-41 View of Room 2M336/Viewing Area for Room 2306 from center front, facing 

southeast. 

MCC-42 View of Room 2300/Multi-Purpose Support Room for Room 2306, facing east. 

MCC-43 View of Room 2300/Multi-Purpose Support Room for Room 2306, facing 

southeast. 

MCC-44 View of Room 313/SSP Mission Evaluation Room from back left, facing 

southwest. 

MCC-45 View of Room 313/SSP Mission Evaluation Room from center left, facing west. 

MCC-46 View of Room 313/SSP Mission Evaluation Room from center front, facing 

northeast. 

MCC-47 View of Room 313/SSP Mission Evaluation Room from center front, facing 

northwest. 

MCC-48 View of Room 313/SSP Mission Evaluation Room from center right, facing east. 

MCC-49 View of Room 313/SSP Mission Evaluation Room from center back, facing 

southeast. 

MCC-50 Detail view of a row of support consoles in Room 313, facing southeast. 

MCC-51 Detail view of a support console in Room 313, facing east. 

MCC-52 Detail view of countdown and mission clocks in Room 313, facing south. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

BUILDING 30 

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MCC-53 View of Room 331/‘Historic’ Flight Control Room, facing west. 

MCC-54 View of Room 331/‘Historic’ Flight Control Room, facing southwest. 

MCC-55 View of Room 331/‘Historic’ Flight Control Room, facing south. 

MCC-56 View of Room 331/‘Historic’ Flight Control Room, facing southeast. 

MCC-57 View of Room 331/‘Historic’ Flight Control Room, facing east. 

MCC-58 View of Room 331/‘Historic’ Flight Control Room, facing northeast. 

MCC-59 View of Room 331/‘Historic’ Flight Control Room, facing north. 

MCC-60 View of Room 331/‘Historic’ Flight Control Room, facing northwest. 

MCC-61 View of Room 332/Viewing Area for Room 331, facing northwest. 

MCC-62 View of Room 332/Viewing Area for Room 331, facing northeast. 

MCC-63 View of Room 332/Viewing Area for Room 331, facing southeast. 

MCC-64 View of Room 332/Viewing Area for Room 331, facing southwest. 

MCC-65 Detail view of a guest phone booth in Room 332, facing southwest. 

MCC-66 View of Room 332A/NASA Headquarters’ Representative’s office, facing 

northwest. 

MCC-67 View of entrance to Room 332B/JSC Director’s office, facing southwest. 

MCC-68 View of Room 332B/JSC Director’s office, facing west. 

MCC-69 View of Room 330/Projection Room, facing north. 

MCC-70 View of Room 330/Projection Room, facing south. 

MCC-71 View of Room 330/Projection Room, facing southwest. 

MCC-72 View of Room 330 showing rear of projection screen, facing northeast. 

MCC-73 View of Room 330 showing rear of projection screen, facing northeast. 

MCC-74 View of Room 316/Red Flight Control Room, facing southeast. 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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Page 40 

MCC-75 View of Room 316/Red Flight Control Room, facing southwest. 

MCC-76 View of Room 316/Red Flight Control Room, facing northwest. 

MCC-77 View of Room 316/Red Flight Control Room, facing northeast. 

MCC-78 Detail view of projection screen in Room 316, facing southeast. 

MCC-79 Construction of the MCC, facing southwest (S63-22529). 

MCC-80 Construction of the MCC, facing south (S63-23632). 

MCC-81 Construction of the MCC, facing northeast (S64-24108). 

MCC-82 Construction detail of the decorative pattern on the south elevation of the MCC, 

facing northeast (S64-24110). 

MCC-83 Historic view of the MCC from 1964, facing northeast (S64-32287). 

MCC-84 View of Wing S of the MCC during construction, facing northeast (S91-45291). 

MCC-85 View of White Flight Control Room in Wing S during construction, facing 

northeast (S91-28693). 

MCC-86 View of White Flight Control Room in Wing S during construction, facing 

southeast (S91-45251). 

MCC-87 View of White Flight Control Room in Wing S during construction, facing 

southeast (S91-49717). 

MCC-88 View of White Flight Control Room in Wing S prior to installation of consoles, 

facing southeast (S91-52148). 

MCC-89 View of White Flight Control Room Viewing Area in Wing S during 

construction, facing northeast (S91-45236). 

MCC-90 View of White Flight Control Room Viewing Area in Wing S during 

construction, facing northeast (S91-49712). 

MCC-91 View of White Flight Control Room and Viewing Area in Wing S during 

construction, facing northwest (S91-52145). 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

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Page 41 

Photograph Nos. MCC-92 through MCC-126 are photocopies of engineering drawings. Original 

drawings are located at the Engineering Drawing Control Center, JSC, Texas. 

MCC-92 Photocopy of drawing 

INTEGRATED MISSION CONTROL CENTER, MISSION OPERATIONS 

WING-BUILDING NO. 30 

NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-8, Kaiser Engineers, 1963 

 FIRST FLOOR PLAN 

 Sheet 9 of 79 

MCC-93 Photocopy of drawing 

INTEGRATED MISSION CONTROL CENTER, MISSION OPERATIONS 

WING-BUILDING NO. 30 

NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-9, Kaiser Engineers, 1963 

 SECOND FLOOR PLAN 

 Sheet 10 of 79 

MCC-94 Photocopy of drawing 

INTEGRATED MISSION CONTROL CENTER, MISSION OPERATIONS 

WING-BUILDING NO. 30 

NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-10, Kaiser Engineers, 1963 

 THIRD FLOOR PLAN 

 Sheet 11 of 79 

MCC-95 Photocopy of drawing 

INTEGRATED MISSION CONTROL CENTER, MISSION OPERATIONS 

WING-BUILDING NO. 30 

NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-11, Kaiser Engineers, 1963 

 EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS 

 Sheet 12 of 79 

MCC-96 Photocopy of drawing 

INTEGRATED MISSION CONTROL CENTER, MISSION OPERATIONS 

WING-BUILDING NO. 30 

NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-12, Kaiser Engineers, 1963 

 EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS 

 Sheet 13 of 79 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

BUILDING 30 

Page 42 

MCC-97 Photocopy of drawing 

INTEGRATED MISSION CONTROL CENTER, MISSION OPERATIONS 

WING-BUILDING NO. 30 

NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-13, Kaiser Engineers, 1963 

 CROSS SECTIONS 

 Sheet 14 of 79 

MCC-98 Photocopy of drawing 

INTEGRATED MISSION CONTROL CENTER, LOBBY WINGBUILDING NO. 30 

NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-36, Kaiser Engineers, 1963 

 FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD FLOOR PLANS 

 Sheet 44 of 79 

MCC-99 Photocopy of drawing 

INTEGRATED MISSION CONTROL CENTER, LOBBY WINGBUILDING NO. 30 

NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-39, Kaiser Engineers, 1963 

 EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS 

 Sheet 47 of 79 

MCC-100 Photocopy of drawing 

INTEGRATED MISSION CONTROL CENTER, ADMINISTRATION 

WING-BUILDING NO. 30 

NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-37, Kaiser Engineers, 1963 

 EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS 

 Sheet 45 of 79 

MCC-101 Photocopy of drawing 

INTEGRATED MISSION CONTROL CENTER, ADMINISTRATION 

WING-BUILDING NO. 30 

NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-38, Kaiser Engineers, 1963 

 EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS 

 Sheet 46 of 79 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

BUILDING 30 

Page 43 

MCC-102 Photocopy of drawing 

INTEGRATED MISSION CONTROL CENTER, ADMINISTRATION 

WING-BUILDING NO. 30 

NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-40, Kaiser Engineers, 1963 

 CROSS SECTIONS 

 Sheet 48 of 79 

MCC-103 Photocopy of drawing 

INTEGRATED MISSION CONTROL CENTER, ADMINISTRATION 

WING-BUILDING NO. 30 

NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-41, Kaiser Engineers, 1963 

 CROSS SECTIONS 

 Sheet 49 of 79 

MCC-104 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-1010, NASA, 1989 

 FIRST FLOOR PLAN 

MCC-105 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-1011, NASA, 1989 

 SECOND FLOOR PLAN 

MCC-106 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-1012, NASA, 1989 

 MEZZANINE LEVEL PLAN 

MCC-107 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-1013, NASA, 1989 

 THIRD FLOOR PLAN 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

BUILDING 30 

Page 44 

MCC-108 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-1014, NASA, 1989 

 FOURTH FLOOR/LOW ROOF PLAN 

MCC-109 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-1015, NASA, 1989 

 FIFTH FLOOR PLAN 

MCC-110 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-1030, NASA, 1989 

 NORTH ELEVATION 

MCC-111 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-1031, NASA, 1989 

 SOUTH ELEVATION 

MCC-112 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-1032, NASA, 1989 

 EAST ELEVATION 

MCC-113 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-1033, NASA, 1989 

 WEST ELEVATION 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

BUILDING 30 

Page 45 

MCC-114 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-1040, NASA, 1989 

 NORTH/SOUTH BUILDING SECTION 

MCC-115 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-1041, NASA, 1989 

 EAST/WEST BUILDING SECTION 

MCC-116 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, MISSION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-8, NASA, 2007 

 FIRST FLOOR PLAN 

MCC-117 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, MISSION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-9, NASA, 2008 

 SECOND FLOOR PLAN 

MCC-118 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, MISSION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-10, NASA, 2007 

 THIRD FLOOR PLAN (MOW) 

MCC-119 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, LOBBY 

WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-36, NASA, 2004 

 FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD FLOOR PLANS 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

BUILDING 30 

Page 46 

MCC-120 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, 

ADMINISTRATION WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-33, NASA, 2009 

 FIRST FLOOR PLAN (AW) 

MCC-121 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, 

ADMINISTRATION WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-34, NASA, 2009 

 SECOND FLOOR PLAN (AW) 

MCC-122 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, 

ADMINISTRATION WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-35, NASA, 2009 

 THIRD FLOOR PLAN (AW) 

MCC-123 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, 

ADMINISTRATION WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30-35A, NASA, 2006 

 PARTIAL THIRD FLOOR PLAN 

MCC-124 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30S-1010, NASA, 2005 

 FIRST FLOOR PLAN 

MCC-125 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30S-1013, NASA, 2004 

 THIRD FLOOR PLAN 
MISSION CONTROL CENTER / 

BUILDING 30 

Page 47 

MCC-126 Photocopy of drawing 

BUILDING 30, MISSION CONTROL CENTER-HOUSTON, STATION 

OPERATIONS WING 

NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Texas 

Drawing A-30S-1014, NASA, 2004 

 FOURTH FLOOR/LOW ROOF PLAN 
MCC-1 

MCC-2 
MCC-3

MCC-4
MCC-5

MCC-6
MCC-7

MCC-8
MCC-9

MCC-10
MCC-11

MCC-12
MCC-13

MCC-14
MCC-15

MCC-16
MCC-17

MCC-18
MCC-19

MCC-20
MCC-21

MCC-22
MCC-23

MCC-24
MCC-25

MCC-26
MCC-27

MCC-28
MCC-29

MCC-30
MCC-31

MCC-32
MCC-33

MCC-34
MCC-35

MCC-36
MCC-37

MCC-38
MCC-39

MCC-40
MCC-41

MCC-42
MCC-43

MCC-44
MCC-45

MCC-46
MCC-47

MCC-48
MCC-49

MCC-50
MCC-51

MCC-52
MCC-53

MCC-54
MCC-55

MCC-56
MCC-57

MCC-58
MCC-59

MCC-60
MCC-61

MCC-62
MCC-63

MCC-64
MCC-65

MCC-66
MCC-67

MCC-68
MCC-69

MCC-70
MCC-71

MCC-72
MCC-73

MCC-74
MCC-75

MCC-76
MCC-77

MCC-78
MCC-79

MCC-80
MCC-81

MCC-82
MCC-83

MCC-84
MCC-85

MCC-86
MCC-87

MCC-88
MCC-89

MCC-90
MCC-91
MCC-92 
MCC-93 
MCC-94 
MCC-95 
MCC-96 
MCC-97 
MCC-98 
MCC-99 
MCC-100 
MCC-101 
MCC-102 
MCC-103 
MCC-104 
MCC-105 
MCC-106 
MCC-107 
MCC-108 
MCC-109 
MCC-110 
MCC-111 
MCC-112 
MCC-113 
MCC-114 
MCC-115 
MCC-116 
MCC-117 
MCC-118 
MCC-119 
MCC-120 
MCC-121 
MCC-122 
MCC-123 
MCC-124 
MCC-125 
MCC-126