![\"Visitors](\"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/jsc2018e091779-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center<\/a> will open its gates to the public Saturday, Oct. 14, celebrating NASA\u2019s 65th anniversary, the International Space Station\u2019s<\/a> 25th<\/sup> anniversary and the upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon.<\/p>\n To help ensure an enjoyable visit for everyone when they drive through the center\u2019s main gate from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT, the center is asking visitors to abide by a few simple guidelines:<\/p>\n During the open house, visitors will get a free, behind-the-scenes look at some of the agency\u2019s most historic accomplishments, and the exciting work happening right now as NASA returns humans to the Moon and prepares for Mars. The incoming gate will close at 2:30 p.m. and visitors will be allowed to remain on site until 3 p.m.<\/p>\n A full list of activities and a map will be available here<\/a> as the Open House date nears.<\/p>\n Visitors will have access to a variety of exhibits and hardware, ranging from Moon rocks collected during the Apollo missions, to full-size mockups of the International Space Station, NASA\u2019s Orion spacecraft and Gateway lunar space station. Guests also will have opportunities to meet astronauts and learn more about how human spaceflight missions are managed from Mission Control, Houston.<\/p>\n Guests may also take advantage of an exciting opportunity to view an annular eclipse \u2014 also known as a \u201cring of fire\u201d eclipse \u2014 of the Sun.<\/p>\n In addition to facilities and exhibits, the center\u2019s Teague Auditorium will feature programs and speakers from 9:30 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we celebrate NASA\u2019s 65th anniversary, Johnson Space Center has played a key role in leading human space exploration and has been a part of the vibrant Houston community for nearly six decades,\u201d said Vanessa Wyche, director of Johnson Space Center. \u201cWhile the past 60 years represent the best of our country and the height of American ingenuity,\u00a0the talented, dedicated, and diverse team here in \u2018space city\u2019 Houston is excited about the next chapter in spaceflight as we work to launch humans farther into the solar system.\u201d<\/p>\n NASA opened for business Oct. 1, 1958, following the signing of the agency\u2019s founding legislation<\/a> on July 29, 1958. After four decades that saw dozens of short-duration missions to the Moon and low Earth orbit, NASA and its international partners launched the first element of the International Space Station<\/a> on Nov. 20, 1998, setting the stage for continuous human presence in space, which began in 2000<\/a>.<\/p>\n Visitors are welcomed year-round through Johnson\u2019s official visitor center, Space Center Houston<\/a>, which provides tram tours and visits inside a number of key facilities. However, this open house will allow visitors to have access to several locations not accessible during visitor center tours.<\/p>\n Connect with Johnson Space Center on social media at:<\/p>\n https:\/\/X.com\/NASA_Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n and<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/NASAJSC<\/a><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Kelly Humphries \/ Dylan Connell<\/p>\n Johnson Space Center, Houston<\/p>\n 281-483-5111<\/p>\n kelly.o.humphries@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n