The Latest News...

8-14-2008: Gemini IV Space Walk Simulation Completed

• A simulation of the first American space walk by Ed White of Gemini IV has been completed.
• The simulation will be an important interactive exhibit as the LBJ Library and Museum celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of President Johnson.
• The museum’s home of Austin, Texas was also the home town of astronaut Ed White.
• The exhibit will open August 27, 2008.

1-31-2007: Mars Landing simulation delivered to Wichita Collegiate School

• The Wichita Collegiate School in Wichita, Kansas will integrate a Mars Landing simulation developed by Historic Space Systems, along with its new computer system, into their own Mars exploration simulator.

8-28-2006: Virginia Air & Space Center to get Lunar Landing Simulator

• The Virginia Air & Space Center (VASC) has ordered a Lunar Landing Simulator for their newly renovated space gallery.
• The simulator, designed and built by Historic Space Systems, will be custom designed to integrate into a wall of the gallery.
• Two separate simulations will allow two visitors at a time to fly a simulated landing on the moon in the Apollo Lunar Module.

3-16-2006: Delivery of New Space Shuttle Simulator

• A new dual station cockpit design of the Space Shuttle Simulator was delivered to Downey, California, for installation in a new museum in 2007.
• Before its delivery, the simulator was tested at the 2006 National Geographic Channel Upfront event in New York City.

New shuttle simulator with two separate simulations.

3-13-2006: Assistance with Gemini 12 Restoration

• John Fongheiser, President of Historic Space Systems, visited the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center. By special arrangement with Jim Remar of KCSC, Mr. Fongheiser inspected the Gemini 12 spacecraft being restored, and offered information on its flight configuration.
• Mr. Fongheiser provided data on the Gemini 12 control panel layout, placement of debris guards around the seats, evaluation of parts to be placed in the spacecraft, and the post-flight condition of the spacecraft.
• Among his observations was the fact that the seats had been switched after the flight. Command Pilot Jim Lovell’s seat had been placed in the right hand position, while Pilot Buzz Aldrin’s seat had been placed in the left hand position.
• After its restoration Gemini 12 will be displayed at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Illinois.

Sitting in Jim Lovell’s seat, at Buzz Aldrin’s controls.

3-9-2006: National Geographic Channel Upfront Features Shuttle Simulator

• National Geographic Channel held their annual Upfront event in New York City with a space theme, with trainers, projected star images, and much more.
• A featured attraction was a dual Space Shuttle Simulator from Historic Space Systems. Guests landed the Space Shuttle on the left side, and docked with the Destiny Module of the International Space Station (ISS) on the right side. Binary Star Ltd. provided the software.
• Former Space Shuttle and ISS astronaut Leroy Chiao brought an added element of realism to the simulations, as one who has been there. He advised guests as they landed the Shuttle, while Historic Space Systems president John Fongheiser helped guests dock with Destiny.

John Fongheiser helping former astronaut Leroy Chiao (right) with flight simulator duties.

11-23-2005: Exhibits Delivered to Coca-Cola Space Science Center

• In time for their grand reopening, Historic Space Systems delivered and installed three interactive simulators for the Coca-Cola Space Science Center (CCSSC) in Columbus, Georgia.
• The simulators are the Columbia II Space Shuttle Landing Simulator, the Gemini Docking Simulator, and the Aircraft Simulator.
• The Gemini Docking Simulator is the new Version 2.0 with greater visual realism and improved physical simulation.

2-16-2005: New Exhibits for Coca-Cola Space Science Center

• Historic Space Systems has been selected to provide three interactive simulators for the Coca-Cola Space Science Center (CCSSC) in Columbus, Georgia.
• The simulators are the Columbia II Space Shuttle Landing Simulator, the Gemini Docking Simulator, and the Aircraft Simulator.
• The simulators will be placed in the museum’s new lobby expansion in early September 2005.

8-12-2004: ASTC Conference

• Historic Space Systems will appear at the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) 2004 Annual Conference in San Jose, CA. The event is September 18-20.
• Look for us at Booth 1127 (near the NASA booth).

7-26-2004: Apollo 15 Control Panels

• A report by the President of Historic Space Systems, John Fongheiser, was featured on the collectSPACE web site. The report details the location of the Apollo 15 control panels, long missing.
• The story was also featured as an AstroNote on SPACE.com, and on MSNBC.
• The report can be found in PDF as an Info Sheet