Will NASA's Ruined Apollo Mission Control Room Rise Again?

[Psihala]

The storied room that first saw humans land on the moon has fallen into a shocking state of disrepair. Once a gleaming state-of-the-art facility, Apollo Mission Control at Johnson Space Center here has become a place of flickering lights and worn carpet held together with tape. The keyboards of its old flight consoles are missing buttons.

https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science...ain-ncna789416

[DrRocket]

I can understand how it could have happened. Money is tight. The room isn't used for anything. Management is loath to expend scarce money to maintain something that isn't used anymore.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that some in management probably even discussed plans to scrap the equipment and use the room for something else.

[ganzfeld]

I agree. It seems to me the obvious place for the Control Room is the National Air and Space Museum. They probably can't maintain it on site but it could be brought out to Virginia where there's enough space for it and where people could come to see it along with other treasures.

[jimmy101_again]

The room is actually pretty small. There should be a way to save it.

[Tootsie Plunkette]

We got to see it (through a gallery window) when we visited my niece in Houston in 1997. Even then it looked sad and neglected.

They were also there when three astronauts died during testing for the first Apollo mission in 1967...

Wondering why they were there, as the test was never intended to leave the ground, and Houston was only in charge of a mission once they'd cleared the tower. Unless it was part of the simulation, I suppose.

[ASL]

Part of the simulation seems reasonable enough. Also perhaps to verify functionality of the new systems in Houston with a new capsule and three (vice two or one) astronauts.

[thorny locust]

Originally Posted by ganzfeld

It seems to me the obvious place for the Control Room is the National Air and Space Museum. They probably can't maintain it on site but it could be brought out to Virginia where there's enough space for it and where people could come to see it along with other treasures.

That wouldn't be the room, though. It would be a replica of the room.

Part of the essence of the room is its location.

A replica in the Air and Space Museum seems to me to make sense on its own, however.

[ganzfeld]

Yes, the Apollo 1 disaster was a full test with Houston listening in.

Also I didn't realize the Johnson is already a Smithsonian affiliate.

Originally Posted by thorny locust

That wouldn't be the room, though. It would be a replica of the room.

Houston, we have a problem. What problem? You're in Virginia!

[overyonder]

I totally agree that it belongs in a museum.

NASA is not in the business of being a curator, I don't imagine.

OY

[Tootsie Plunkette]

The Kennedy Space Center in Florida does a good job with their vintage launch sites, although a few of them have fallen into disrepair. Take the "retro" tour if you ever have a chance.

[jimmy101_again]

Originally Posted by overyonder

NASA is not in the business of being a curator, I don't imagine.

True, but many other gov't entities have found ways of preserving large historical objects (including aircraft carriers and battle ships). Perhaps NASA needs to encourage formation of a not-for-profit to operate and maintain their ever growing collection of historical artifacts.

[ganzfeld]

I don't think the OP really covered it well but that's what this whole thing is about. NASA and the Smithsonian are trying to raise funds and the city of Webster is offering to match funds. Not really a non-profit but essentially the same concept.
https://spacecenter.org/news-release-webster-gift/
https://spacecenter.org/