For the sixth consecutive year, NASA’s Johnson Space Center will open
its doors to the public for its annual Open House event. For one full
day, Saturday, Aug. 25, visitors will have an opportunity to meet JSC’s
workers, see how they plan and conduct human space flight missions and
learn about NASA technologies that are used on Earth every day.

Open House, which begins at 9 a. m. and ends at 5 p. m., is free to the
public. Visitors may enter the center through three gates not normally
open to the public – on NASA Road One just east of Saturn Lane, on Space
Center Boulevard near Bay Area Boulevard, and on Space Center Boulevard
near NASA Road One. Parking in JSC lots is available at no charge.

“Open House is a rare and valuable opportunity for the community to come
inside our gates and see how the space program works,” said Roy Estess,
Center Director (Acting). “For many people, this is a once in a lifetime
chance to meet astronauts in person, see mission control or hold a piece
of space hardware in their hands. Likewise, it’s a wonderful opportunity
for the people here, many of whom have dedicated their careers to make
space travel a reality, to share their passion with our neighbors.”

Exhibits and hardware from JSC’s various programs will be featured in
more than 19 buildings throughout the center. In addition, tours will be
provided of the Sonny Carter Training Facility, where astronauts train
for space walks in the largest indoor pool in the world, as well as
Ellington Field, where NASA training jets, Shuttle Training Aircraft and
the KC-135 weightless trainer are based.

Visitors will be able to see Mission Control where both the Space
Shuttle and International Space Station flight control rooms are
operating. This facility is the nerve center for human space flight
operations.

In Building 9, at the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility, visitors can see a
full-size model of the first and only reusable spacecraft ever built ñ
the Space Shuttle. Also housed in Building 9 are the full-size modules
of the International Space Station, a U.S.- led, international project
involving five space agencies and 16 nations in the most complex
engineering project ever undertaken.

NASA Astronauts will be on hand throughout the day to provide autographs
at JSC and Ellington Field. Food, beverages and souvenirs will be
available for purchase as well.

Other facilities used for research in advanced technologies involving
composite materials, plant growth, life support systems, global
positioning systems and physiological studies will be open to the
public.

There will be educational activities for children and opportunities to
be photographed beside real space hardware and hands-on interactive
activities involving the Internet.

JSC’s Open House coincides with the annual Ballunar Liftoff Festival, a
three day event sponsored by local communities and held on the NASA
grounds. The festival includes more than 100 hot air balloons, midway
rides, games, skydiving exhibitions and other displays. There will be an
admission charge for the Ballunar Liftoff Festival.

Additionally, transportation is available from Houston METRO. Designated
METRO shuttle pick up locations include Baybrook Mall on I-45 South or
the Bay Area Park and Ride lot on Bay Area Blvd. in Clear Lake. Adults
ride for $2. Children 11 and under ride free.

For more information about JSC’s Open House, call 281-244-5312 or visit
the JSC website at http://openhouse.jsc.nasa.gov/