Texas A&M University and NASA signed an agreement Monday that brings the space shuttle simulator from Johnson Space Center in Houston to College Station.
The simulator provided a full-motion simulation of shuttle launches and landings for every crew that flew on the shuttle. It began operations at Johnson Space Center in 1977 and was used in training for all 135 space shuttle missions.
A&M President Bowen Loftin says the university’s aerospace engineering department worked with NASA to bring the simulator to the flagship campus.
Dr. Loftin says this is the only major piece of the shuttle program that will remain in Texas, and it will remain operational. Dr. Loftin says over the next year the simulator will be shipped and reassembled in the old T-I building.
Shuttle astronaut Mike Fossum, Aggie Class of 1980, says not only the simulator provide an important part of NASA history, he loves that it will continue to be used in an academic setting.
Comments from shuttle astronaut Mike Fossum, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.
Comments from A&M President Bowen Loftin, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.