From humble beginnings as the “Watercress Capital of the World” to its place at the forefront of space innovation, Huntsville, Alabama, has transformed into a major hub for rocket science and technology. Thanks to the vision of Dr. Wernher von Braun and the efforts of NASA and military engineers, Huntsville earned the nickname “Rocket City”—and at its heart is the incredible U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC).

Recommended for

Space Enthusiasts: Explore real spacecraft, rockets, and astronaut simulators.

Families with Kids: Engage young minds with Space Camp, hands-on exhibits, and the Kids Cosmos zone.

STEM Learners: Discover how Huntsville helped launch satellites, land men on the moon, and build the ISS.

History Buffs: Trace the journey from the Space Race to modern innovations in human spaceflight.

About the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

  • Official NASA Visitor Center for the Marshall Space Flight Center.
  • A Smithsonian Institution affiliate and the world’s largest spaceflight museum.
  • Established in 1970 through efforts led by Dr. Wernher von Braun and the U.S. Army Missile Command.
  • Welcomes nearly 17 million visitors and counting.

Exhibits & Experiences

Saturn V Hall (Davidson Center for Space Exploration)

  • See an authentic Saturn V rocket, one of only three in existence (National Historic Landmark).
  • Explore NASA's achievements in past, present, and future space exploration.

Rocket Park

  • Featuring 27 rockets and missiles, this outdoor display shows how Army rocketry launched the space program.
  • Praised by astronaut John Glenn as “the finest rocket collection in the world.”

Shuttle Park

  • Explore the only fully stacked Space Transportation System in the world—featuring Pathfinder and two solid rocket boosters.
  • See a T-38 jet used in astronaut training and actual shuttle engine nozzles.

ISS: Science on Orbit

  • Walk through life on the International Space Station and see how astronauts work and live in space.
  • Includes a replica of NASA’s Payload Operations Integration Center.

Iconic Artifacts

  • Explorer I – America’s first satellite
  • Apollo 15 “Casper” capsule
  • Mercury & Gemini trainer capsules
  • Skylab solar array
  • Dream Chaser – next-gen spacecraft prototype

Simulators & Motion Experiences

  • Space Shot: 4Gs of acceleration, 140 feet launch, and free-fall weightlessness.
  • G-Force Accelerator: Experience up to 3Gs in a spinning centrifuge ride.
  • Rocket Pod Motion Theater: Five exciting ride films including black holes and Hubble launches (20-person capacity).
  • Apache AH-64D Simulator: Fly a mission, shoot missiles, and control a combat helicopter.

Planetarium & Theaters

  • INTUITIVE® Planetarium: 270-foot dome, daily live shows, and interactive astronomy content.
  • IMAX Spacedome Theater: 67-foot screen and immersive surround visuals.
  • National Geographic Theater: 52-foot screen with 3D educational documentaries.

Activities for Kids

  • Space Camp, Robotics Camp, Aviation Challenge – world-renowned STEM education programs for ages 9 and up.
  • Kids Cosmos Zone: Crawl into a rocket, dock with the ISS, or imagine walking on the moon.
  • Mars Climbing Wall: Scale Olympus Mons, the tallest volcano in the Milky Way.

Behind the Scenes

  • NASA Marshall Space Flight Center: Design center for the Space Launch System, propulsion systems, ISS science, and more.
  • Archives: Includes papers from Dr. Wernher von Braun, early space documents, and the Frederick Ordway III collection (advisor on *2001: A Space Odyssey*).
  • Apollo Courtyard: Commemorative bricks surround the Saturn V honoring alumni, scientists, and supporters.

Visitor Information

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