Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Mission (Mercury) Control Center
Built on this site in 1957, the Mercury Control Center, later renamed Mission Control, was the United States first mission control for unmanned and manned space programs under the leadership of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The center housed critical launch equipment for the Mercury and Gemini programs. These programs made crucial advancements in the development of spaceflight, including placing astronauts in suborbital and orbital space within and outside spacecraft, and safely returning them to Earth. The Gemini program was the first American attempt in orbital rendezvous and docking, a critical maneuvered used in future manned lunar landings. The control room was dominated by world map with miniature spacecraft that tracked the capsule’s planned right path. Teams at the center controlled all flights launched aboard Redstone Atlas, and the first three Titan II vehicles. After mission control functions were transferred to Houston Texas, the center provided backup for the initial launch and trajectory. Before the facility's demolition in 2010, Its essential historic components were removed for preservation and are displayed at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Erected 2011 by National Aeronautics & Space Administration and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-711.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Exploration • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.
Location. 28° 27.782′ N, 80° 34.945′ W. Marker is in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, in Brevard County. Marker is on Mission Control Road south of Flight Control Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Patrick AFB FL 32925, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Launch Site of America's First Satellite, Explorer I / The Space Race Begins (approx. 1.4 miles away); Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (approx. 1.4 miles away); First United States Space Launch (approx. 1.4 miles away); Launch Complex 26 (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Launch Complex 26 (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Launch Complex 26 (approx. 1.4 miles away); Explorer I (approx. 1˝ miles away); a different marker also named Launch Complex 26 (approx. 1˝ miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 5, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.