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Historic Mission Control Center Celebrates 50 years
AS WE APPROACH the golden anniversary of the Mission Control Center (MCC) in June, we take time to reflect on the significant impact this facility and the people involved have had on human spaceflight.

A fully staffed Mission Control Center during the first mission to use it — Gemini IV on June 3, 1965.
These original MOCRs supported nine Gemini missions, 11 Apollo missions (including the historic Apollo 11 moon landing and Apollo 13), the first U.S. space station Skylab, Apollo/Soyuz and and 76 Space Shuttle Program missions. Visitors recognize the third-floor MOCR as the historic Apollo Mission Control Center, which is a National Historic Landmark preserved for future generations to reflect on and learn from.

Spacecraft communicators are pictured as they keep in contact with the Apollo 11 astronauts during their lunar landing mission on July 20, 1969. From left to right are astronauts Charles M. Duke Jr., James A. Lovell Jr. and Fred W. Haise Jr.
Both past and present met once again when the second-floor MOCR was remodeled and upgraded as FCR-1 to house the teams that completed space station assembly and continue to support 24/7 station operations.
The teams that work in this facility are the lifeblood of the command and control operation, where the planning and training transition into real-time mission execution.
The combination of the facility and the culture of the people working within result in what many say is a “laboratory of leadership,” where the foundations of flight operations were forged and continue to be honed (discipline, competence, confidence, responsibility, toughness, teamwork and vigilance).
Where impossible scenarios are actively wrestled into manageable elements with an “improvise and overcome” critical-thinking mental attitude, and where “failure is not an option.”

Orion’s first test flght was completed in an FCR equipped with the latest technology of this digital age.
Where our shortfalls are recognized and responsibility is taken to never allow them to repeat.
Where men/women enter the ranks as apprentices and grow into seasoned leaders for our agency and country.
The plaques on the walls in these FCRs are a testament to the many successful missions and the teams that made them a success.
As we celebrate 50 years and see the reflection of what the MCC has accomplished, this provides reassurance that the future of human spaceflight is in great hands as we evolve from missions that were yesterday’s dream to missions that will become tomorrow’s reality.