November 30, 2007
Houston, TX – (November 30, 2007) – Beginning this week, international travelers passing through Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) will have the opportunity to learn more about the city’s rich human space exploration history, thanks to a new partnership formed by the Houston Airport System and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The two longtime proponents of Houston’s rich aeronautic history are teaming up to present a temporary cultural exhibit which showcases space artifacts from past, present and future human explorations involving the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center here in Houston. The Johnson Space Center is home to Mission Control Center, which is responsible for coordinating and monitoring all of the nation’s human spaceflights, and next year will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.
“We’re really excited about being able to bring this important part of our city’s culture to the international community. Travelers know Houston has a long space exploration history and anything we can do to satisfy their curiosity is a positive,” says Richard M. Vacar, director of the Houston Airport System. “This year was a year of milestones for us. Not only did Hobby turn 80, but Ellington Field is also celebrating nine decades of service to the local region. We know how important it is to look back and appreciate our history. Next year it is NASA’s turn and we want to remind our travelers about their many invaluable contributions.”
This unique exhibit is currently setup at The Mickey Leland International Terminal at IAH – Terminal D – and features space equipment such as the new shuttle exploration vehicle, the Constellation; a rover unmanned vehicle which is used for exploring Mars; replicas of Mars’ land surface; and even an ultramodern version of NASA’s current robotic arm known as Robonaut. In addition, space suits that were worn during actual missions will be added to the collection along with many other items.
In 2008, the yearlong exhibit will be expanded to include other portions of IAH, as well as displays at William P. Hobby Airport.
“People like to refer to Houston as Space City, but when you looked around the airport before, it really didn’t reflect that heritage and history,” says Robert Lazaro, public affairs specialist for NASA. “With the new partnership between the Houston Airport System and NASA, exhibits like these will hopefully inform not only our residents but future travelers about that rich heritage.”
Part of the flight training NASA’s astronauts undergo is completed at the space center’s fixed based facility at Ellington Field, which is part of the Houston Airport System.
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The Houston Airport System served 51 million passengers in 2006. It is the 4th-largest multi-airport system in the U.S. and the 6th-largest in the world. Bush Intercontinental is the nation’s 9th-busiest airport. According to J.D. Powers & Associates, William P. Hobby Airport is first in customer satisfaction among smaller airports in the United States. HAS annually contributes over $24 billion in positive economic impact to the Greater Houston region. For more information watch Houston Airports Today every Saturday at 9:00 am on KTBU Channel 55 or visit www.fly2houston.com . | 
