{"id":7007,"date":"2015-08-10T09:30:14","date_gmt":"2015-08-10T14:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/?page_id=7007"},"modified":"2024-08-12T12:19:13","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T18:19:13","slug":"independence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/exhibits-and-experiences\/independence\/","title":{"rendered":"Independence Plaza"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"7007\" class=\"elementor elementor-7007\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2166cc1 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-items-bottom elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2166cc1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4f994972\" data-id=\"4f994972\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-692e61eb\" data-id=\"692e61eb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d79139f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d79139f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b941f52\" data-id=\"b941f52\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25f0cc9 elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-breadcrumbs\" data-id=\"25f0cc9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"breadcrumbs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<p id=\"breadcrumbs\"><span><span><a href=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/\">Home<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<!-- dce invisible element da0c30d -->\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9e9ac7f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9e9ac7f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ba88fcc\" data-id=\"ba88fcc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e217c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2e217c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Independence Plaza presented by Boeing is an international landmark, offering an experience like nothing else in the world. <\/b>Visitors can enter the shuttle replica Independence, mounted on top of the historic and original NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft, and then explore the giant plane.<\/p><p class=\"lead\">It is the only shuttle mounted on an SCA that the public can go inside.<\/p><p>Multiple exhibits grant a rare glimpse into the historic shuttle era and describe its impact on current and future exploration.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6edeb14\" data-id=\"6edeb14\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fb78a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"9fb78a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/watch?v=mly4f3tfiXc&quot;,&quot;show_image_overlay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;image_overlay&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/spacecenter.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/NASA-905-Shuttle-Carrier-Aircraft.jpg&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:74331,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;library&quot;},&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/NASA-905-Shuttle-Carrier-Aircraft.jpg);\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-custom-embed-play\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Play Video\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-play\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Play Video<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-99fe852 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"99fe852\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eac51a4\" data-id=\"eac51a4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a462e01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a462e01\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-size: 1rem;\">Independence Plaza shares an important trait with other awe-inspiring landmarks like Mount Rushmore. One can\u2019t help but notice the sheer size of it all.<\/span><\/p><p>Fitting Space Center Houston\u2019s educationally focused mission, the exhibits explore problem-solving concepts; possible career paths in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and examples of innovation from the shuttle era.<\/p><p>The one-of-a-kind experience is offered at no extra charge as part of the general admission ticket.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a543e87 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a543e87\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9cc4f19\" data-id=\"9cc4f19\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a171965 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a171965\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Independence Plaza Fun Facts<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d714069 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d714069\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>NASA 905 carried space shuttles 223 times and amassed 11,017 flight hours over 42 years. It is the first of two shuttle carrier aircrafts.<\/li><li>This SCA is the largest intact artifact from the shuttle program and played key roles in the orbiter\u2019s development.<\/li><li>Although the main landing gear beam was cut for transportation to our center, the reassembled 747 structure is flight certifiable.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9f804e elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"f9f804e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/tickets.spacecenter.org\/WebStore\/LandingPage?CG=admissioncg&#038;C=admissionc&#038;_ga=2.82481110.1183742055.1664479902-1724940042.1648493382\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">BUY TICKETS<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9d7ebba\" data-id=\"9d7ebba\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a5d878 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2a5d878\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/shuttle747-Z3C_0001-MED-1.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-59541\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/shuttle747-Z3C_0001-MED-1.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/shuttle747-Z3C_0001-MED-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/shuttle747-Z3C_0001-MED-1-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-15c3f6e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"15c3f6e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f4464e0\" data-id=\"f4464e0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58c2ec6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"58c2ec6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Experience<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ab65d01 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ab65d01\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-09f65fc\" data-id=\"09f65fc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11ebb05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"11ebb05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"panel-7007-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_black-studio-tinymce widget_black_studio_tinymce panel-first-child\" data-index=\"6\"><div class=\"textwidget\"><p>Driving up to Space Center Houston, guests immediately see the 240-ton complex standing beside the center. This foundation supports the 159-ton shuttle carrier aircraft NASA 905, the 80-ton shuttle replica Independence and a six-story tower that are used to enter both vehicles, as well as the exhibits inside NASA 905.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-01be06b\" data-id=\"01be06b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67cb235 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"67cb235\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Shuttle Replica Independence<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-049f93e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"049f93e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Begin your journey through the shuttle era by taking the elevator to the top of Independence Plaza to explore the shuttle replica Independence. The first stop is the flight deck, where you will see how the astronauts piloted the orbiter during missions.<\/p><p>One floor down, experience how cramped living conditions were on the mid-deck and walk out into the payload bay to see an actual flown artifact from STS-49, a satellite rescue mission in which three people from the same spacecraft walked in space at the same time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9affb4d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9affb4d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-340b100\" data-id=\"340b100\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42d3a71 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"42d3a71\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/independence-plaza-web-11-1024x683.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-59553\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/independence-plaza-web-11-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/independence-plaza-web-11-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/independence-plaza-web-11-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/independence-plaza-web-11.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b2f0728\" data-id=\"b2f0728\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83e848d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"83e848d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC07551_edited-683x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-74611\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC07551_edited-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC07551_edited-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC07551_edited-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC07551_edited-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC07551_edited.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9d7e76a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9d7e76a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b46be9b\" data-id=\"b46be9b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5021954 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5021954\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Shuttle Carrier Aircraft NASA 905<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17c54be elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"17c54be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Begin your journey through the shuttle era by taking the elevator to the top of Independence Plaza to explore the shuttle replica Independence. The first stop is the flight deck, where you will see how the astronauts piloted the orbiter during missions.<\/p><p>One floor down, experience how cramped living conditions were on the mid-deck and walk out into the payload bay to see an actual flown artifact from STS-49, a satellite rescue mission in which three people from the same spacecraft walked in space at the same time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c8e1893\" data-id=\"c8e1893\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d340b1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6d340b1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/747-interior-Z3C_0416-MED.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-74607\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/747-interior-Z3C_0416-MED.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/747-interior-Z3C_0416-MED-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/747-interior-Z3C_0416-MED-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/747-interior-Z3C_0416-MED-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e20f242 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e20f242\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2b553f1\" data-id=\"2b553f1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d40ae78 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"d40ae78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c92e881 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c92e881\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dcbfe3b\" data-id=\"dcbfe3b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe549dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe549dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Orbiter Access Arm<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c2a909 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6c2a909\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This is the actual gantry arm from Kennedy space center launch pad 39B.<\/p><p>It was removed in 2009 as that complex was cleared of its towers to support NASA&#8217;s future Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket.<\/p><p>The end of the access arm features an environmentally clean room (&#8220;white room&#8221;) that mated with the shuttle orbiter and holds six people. The arm remained in the extended position until seven minutes, 24 seconds before launch to serve as an emergency escape route for the flight crew\u2014that\u2019s why the arrows point away from the direction of the orbiter.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f2a40ec\" data-id=\"f2a40ec\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93996c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"93996c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"529\" src=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/independence-plaza-web-10-1024x677.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-59551\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/independence-plaza-web-10-1024x677.png 1024w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/independence-plaza-web-10-300x198.png 300w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/independence-plaza-web-10-768x508.png 768w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/independence-plaza-web-10.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c2b8755 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c2b8755\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c9b66f6\" data-id=\"c9b66f6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fbe044 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"2fbe044\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e28ae60 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e28ae60\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cb65c43\" data-id=\"cb65c43\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f79b0bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f79b0bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Independence Plaza Mission Patch<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-187b604 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"187b604\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Every human mission NASA has flown since Gemini V has its own patch, created by the astronauts venturing into space.<\/p><p>Independence Plaza also has a unique mission patch and logo. The design reflects the remarkable ingenuity and achievement of the Space Shuttle Program and the innovators who conceived of the plan to ferry shuttles on the back of a 747.<\/p><p>The logo has a patriotic flair, with a flag behind NASA 905 and the shuttle replica Independence. On that flag are five grouped stars to denote the orbiters that flew into space and one single star to represent Enterprise, the orbiter that proved our Boeing 747 could carry a shuttle.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f0bd7c3\" data-id=\"f0bd7c3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f46a1c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f46a1c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"486\" height=\"361\" src=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/logo_latestnews.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-59561\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/logo_latestnews.png 486w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/logo_latestnews-300x223.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 486px) 100vw, 486px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7998bca elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7998bca\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-02ca3e9\" data-id=\"02ca3e9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0089cef elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0089cef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Building an International Landmark Exhibit\u200b<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e802247 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e802247\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8096d6c\" data-id=\"8096d6c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57eea43 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"57eea43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"665\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bigmove3-1.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-59565\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bigmove3-1.jpeg 665w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/bigmove3-1-200x300.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 665px) 100vw, 665px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6915e50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6915e50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/lift-1024x682.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-59563\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/lift-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/lift-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/lift-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/lift-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/lift.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d8bddbc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d8bddbc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Photos-1024x576.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-59566\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Photos-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Photos-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Photos-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Photos-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/spacecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Photos.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-82f9929\" data-id=\"82f9929\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c863bac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c863bac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Creating Independence Plaza was a feat of engineering in itself. Explore our photo gallery chronicling the creation of the international landmark Independence Plaza as well as the journey of historic NASA 905 and shuttle replica Independence to Space Center Houston.<\/p><p>Shortly after the last shuttle mission landed in 2011, Space Center Houston acquired a 25-year-old high-fidelity shuttle replica. The science and space learning center was honored to display this reminder of the Space Shuttle Program.<\/p><p>Getting the shuttle replica from Florida to Houston was a mammoth undertaking, and the shuttle replica needed extensive renovations to be displayed.<\/p><p>A week before the new shuttle exhibit broke ground, Space Center Houston received a mate for its shuttle replica \u2013 the original and historic shuttle carrier aircraft NASA 905. Boeing engineers had never disassembled one if their jets outside a hangar. It took 40 days to take NASA 905 apart at Ellington Field.<\/p><p>Moving the massive vehicles was an even more immense task. In moving the shuttle, one power line had to be moved. In moving the SCA, 110 power lines were moved.<\/p><p>The project\u2019s challenges didn\u2019t end there.<\/p><p>The original plan was to nestle the shuttle and SCA side by side. Could they be mounted permanently in the historic mated position? Innovation and ingenuity scaled all obstacles, creating a unique, exciting experience for guests.<\/p><p>Inside the eight-story, 5,500-square-foot structure, two elevators and a stairway provide efficient and ADA-compliant access to all levels of the aircraft, including the flight deck and mid-deck of the shuttle, as well as the 747 shuttle carrier aircraft. Open-air vestibules allow visitors to assemble as they wait to board each aircraft.<\/p><p>The plane now is a building. But, it doesn\u2019t act like one. The afternoon sun heats the metal side, causing the front landing gear to move. Buildings typically don\u2019t move. Summer in Texas is hot. The center found an innovative way to air condition the plane without changing the infrastructure of this huge artifact and providing visitors an authentic experience.<\/p><p>The shuttle interior was completely renovated. It was opened and enlarged to allow guests to experience all areas. Visitors can appreciate the cramped space astronauts shared for up to two weeks at a time. Inside the plane, guests see, touch and hear the story of the historic plane, NASA 905, from its life as a commercial airliner, through modifications and its ferrying missions. Interactive exhibits show guests the physics behind this impressive, improbable pairing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-3e807c8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3e807c8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-996e2a5\" data-id=\"996e2a5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-451fa03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"451fa03\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>SHUTTLE CARRIER AIRCRAFT:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Length: 231 feet, 4 inches (70.5 meters)<\/li><li>Wingspan: 195 feet 8 inches (59.7 meters)<\/li><li>Height: 63 feet 5 inches (19.3 meters)<\/li><li>Empty weight: 318,000 pounds (144,200 kg)<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-d5054d5\" data-id=\"d5054d5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0dbc213 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0dbc213\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>SHUTTLE REPLICA:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Length: 122 feet (37.2 meters)<\/li><li>Wingspan: 78 feet (23.7 meters)<\/li><li>Height: 57 feet (17.3 meters)<\/li><li>Weight: 171,000 pounds (77,500 kilograms)<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Independence Plaza elevators are currently under maintenance, and not operational at this time. Stairway access is still available for visitors to enter the shuttle and 747 aircraft.\u00a0 Independence Plaza presented [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":56241,"parent":181,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7007","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.1 (Yoast SEO v25.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Independence Plaza - Space Center Houston<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Independence Plaza is the only shuttle mounted on the original NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft. 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