HOUSTON, March 12, 2020 – The Falcon has landed. A flown SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exhibit is open at Space Center Houston. The flown Falcon 9 first stage booster set outside Space Center Houston offers an intimate look at a reusable rocket used to further space exploration and America’s commercial space industry. Its next mission is underway to provide an immersive learning experience as a commercial space exhibit at Space Center Houston.

Thanks to a generous contribution from SpaceX, Falcon 9 is the newest addition to the nonprofit’s growing collection of flown space vehicles and historic rockets.

“Our SpaceX rocket exhibit will inspire people of all ages to pursue science learning and discovery,” said William T. Harris, president and CEO of the science and space exploration learning center. “We want everyone to have access to learn about the growing commercial space sector which is stimulating the economy and drawing more companies to provide innovative technologies, medical advances and further NASA’s plans to send humans to the Moon and Mars.”

The Falcon 9 booster is displayed horizontally, allowing guests to walk underneath the flown rocket. It has a 156.5 feet (47.7 m) long frame with a stage diameter of 12 feet (3.7 m) and houses nine first-stage engines. It’s one of only two SpaceX Falcon 9 boosters currently on display in the world and the first commercial space exhibit for Space Center Houston.

Its two-stage configuration minimizes the number of separation events and was designed to deliver payloads to orbit for a variety of commercial and government customers, including NASA.

This particular booster launched in June 2017 in support of SpaceX’s eleventh commercial resupply mission (CRS-11) and performed a successful landing back on Earth. When the booster was flown a second time in December 2017 (CRS-13), it marked the first time a flown booster was used for a NASA mission.

“We’re thrilled guests can now see the real thing with this actual piece of flown hardware that’s shaping the future of commercial spaceflight,” said Harris.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket exhibit is included with general admission to Space Center Houston. Tickets are available online at spacecenter.org or at the door. Prices range from $24.95 for children to $29.95 for adults with discounts for seniors and members of the military. Become a member and attend special exhibit preview parties, receive free parking and more.