Remember Space Camp? How about the 1986 movie starring Kate Capshaw and Lea Thompson? Yeah, this is kind of like that -- except the part about being blasted into orbit with almost no oxygen onboard.
The Astronaut Training Center in North Richland Hills allows those 6 and older to hop in a space capsule, conduct exercises using equipment from past Apollo training exercises and to test out their space-legs in 1/6 gravity while wearing space suits -- all without leaving the Earth or even the 10,000-foot building.
This isn't just for kids. At the ATC, adults are welcome to take part in the fun right alongside the junior astronauts, unlike at NASA's Space Camp where participants must be between 9 and 11 years old. (Thumbs down to Space Camp for the age restriction.) If you find you're a bit too squeamish to participate, observation passes are available that will allow you to watch the brave as they learn to live and work in space.
Guests to the ATC can also watch the first manned lunar mission from the Mission Control Theater or test their own piloting skills by attempting to recreate the Apollo 11 moon landing.
"Training classes" are $17.95 plus tax and no reservations are required. Observation passes are available for only $5. Training is expected to take about 45 minutes. The ATC is located at 6720 NE Loop 820 (SE corner of Loop 820 and Rufe Snow Drive) in North Richland Hills.
The training center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
