On the way home from SXSW we popped into the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, better known as Nasa Mission Control.
It was good. Amazing to think of the history.
But it was also quite sad. Whilst the stuff (Saturn V, mission control room) is incredible the actual museum stuff is a bit tired and tatty. I know we're not there for the quality of museumography but it really felt symbolic of the whole space programme.
Everyone also says that the moon landings were a triumph of science, or engineering - and they were. I've always thought they were also a triumph of politics. It shows what can happen when the political focus is shone, fiercely, upon any particular area. Sure it needs the engineering and science as well (obviously) but it was the politics, namely the Cold War, that got the project off the ground.
Anyway, this isn't a space blog. (This is though.)
My point is that now the political focus has moved on; there is no longer a space race to be won, there are no longer votes in space exploration and you kind of sensed that from the tiredness of the visitor centre. It felt like a dusty old museum that we visited to remember a glorious past.
Still good though.
And Nasa have great colours. And awesome patches and watches.
I used to live just round the corner! Near the junction of Bay Area Blvd and Space Center Blvd. I expect there's a plaque or something.
Posted by: Phil | Mar 18, 2012 at 13:09
I think there were action figures of you in the shop. There was definitely a Gyford burger in the cafe.
Posted by: Ben | Mar 18, 2012 at 18:53