jsc2019e036671

jsc2019e036671 (June 28, 2019) – Apollo 11 flight director Gene Kranz is surrounded by grand opening participants (from left) U.S. Rep. Brian Babin, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, Kranz, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s Chairman Milford Wayne Donaldson and Space Center Houston CEO William Harris in the visitors in NASA Johnson Space Center’s Teague Auditlorium. NASA’s Johnson Space Center reopened the fully restored Apollo Mission Control Center with a grand opening and ribbon cutting event with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine on June 28. The room now is reconfigured to its Apollo-era condition. Many of the items in the restored room are original pieces from 1969 that were found or donated, and the missing items were replicated to ensure walking into the viewing room would feel like taking a step back in time. The restoration team used old photographs, footage, documents and interviews and discussions with Apollo veterans to set everything in its proper place, including coffee mugs, clothing articles and ashtrays. Beginning July 1, the Apollo Mission Control Center will become part of daily tours at Johnson hosted by Space Center Houston.