Shuttle Independence is an exhibit at Space Center Houston in Houston, Texas, where you can enter a shuttle replica mounted on the historic carrier aircraft NASA 905. The exhibit combines the shuttle’s flight deck, mid-deck and payload bay with access to the aircraft itself, making it a substantial stop within a visit to the center.
- Location: Independence Plaza, 1601 E NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058.
- Admission: Included with general admission at no extra charge.
- General admission: Starts at $24.95, with price varying by age.
Where to find Shuttle Independence
Shuttle Independence is at Independence Plaza, inside Space Center Houston. The address for the plaza is 1601 E NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058.
Space Center Houston describes Independence Plaza as the only shuttle mounted on a shuttle carrier aircraft that the public can enter.
Plan to visit it as part of the wider center rather than treating it as a separate attraction: your general admission includes access to the center’s exhibits, except VR rides, and three NASA Tram Tours, except the Mission Control tour.
If you’re mapping out the rest of your day, the Space Center Houston visitor guide from Webster covers the broader visit. The shuttle exhibit is one part of the center’s larger collection of exhibits and attractions.
What the shuttle exhibit includes
The exhibit pairs the shuttle replica Independence with NASA 905, the historic aircraft that carried space shuttles. You can enter the replica and explore the carrier aircraft.
Inside the shuttle, the flight deck gives you a look at where astronauts piloted the orbiter. One level down, the mid-deck and payload bay offer more to explore. The payload bay includes an artifact flown on STS-49, a satellite-rescue mission during which three people from the same spacecraft walked in space at the same time.
You can also see the actual orbiter access arm removed from Kennedy Space Center launch pad 39B in 2009. NASA 905 carried space shuttles 223 times and accumulated 11,017 flight hours over 42 years.
Planning the exhibit around your visit
Space Center Houston’s visitor guide lays out three sample visit lengths: a 2-hour Lightspeed itinerary, a 4-hour Half-Day itinerary and a 7+-hour Full-Day itinerary. The Full-Day itinerary includes Independence Plaza, so allow for a longer visit if you want to follow that suggested plan and see the shuttle exhibit as part of it.
The exhibit is wheelchair-accessible. Two elevators and a stairway serve all levels of the aircraft and shuttle. Accessible parking is near the entrance and in a separate side lot near the picnic area; parking costs $10 per vehicle. Wheelchairs are available from the Guest Services Desk for $10 for a standard wheelchair or $35 for an electronic wheelchair.
NASA Tram Tours are separate from Independence Plaza. Tour availability is limited, and the last tour departs two hours before closing. The guide to Space Center Houston hours and parking can help you plan what to check before setting out.
For a tram add-on, the Historic Mission Control Tram Tour costs extra and must be booked with general admission. The NASA Campus Tour is offered at no charge to general-admission guests, subject to availability. Open-air tram tours may be interrupted by inclement weather, and visits to working NASA facilities are subject to availability and can temporarily close without notice.
Getting there from Webster
From Webster, you can drive to Space Center Houston or walk there. Shuttle Independence is about a 7-minute drive from a hotel in Webster near NASA. The shuttle exhibit is inside the center, so plan to reach Independence Plaza after entering Space Center Houston.
Before you go, check the official site before you go for current admission details, tour availability and visit information.
FAQs
Can you go inside Shuttle Independence?
Yes. Visitors can enter the shuttle replica and explore the aircraft it is mounted on.
Is Shuttle Independence included with admission?
Yes. Independence Plaza is included with general admission at no extra charge.
What is NASA 905?
NASA 905 is the historic shuttle carrier aircraft displayed with the Independence replica. It carried space shuttles 223 times over 42 years.