Independence Plaza at Space Center Houston has been officially opened for the public after three and a half years. On Saturday January 23, Space Center Houston disclosed its $14 million Independence Plaza when the exhibit complex was opened to the public with a ceremony.

The exhibit has showcased a shuttle replica, known as Independence, which is present on the top of the original NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft.

On Saturday, visitors finally got the permission to go inside both of the one-of-a-kind vessels. They were able to access a space shuttle replica and the first Boeing 747 shuttle aircraft that was used to transport shuttles to and from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Johnson Space Center Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa said, “It’s a unique exhibit, and it’s just different than anything else, anywhere in the country”.

Space Center Houston mentioned that the exhibit complex is going to give visitors a detailed ride in the science and history of the shuttle era through hands-on exhibit displays inside an extraordinary interactive experience. By recounting stories from astronauts, engineers and pilots, it has honored the ones who designed, created and flew in America’s Space Shuttle Program.

The plaza sheds light on the key role played by NASA Johnson Space Center in the development of the shuttle’s and give a glance at the future via the research presently being performed at the US space agency NASA.

The gallery is telling the story of the shuttle program through pictures, videos and models, to whosoever visits there.

Space Center Houston visitors can go up a six-level tower where they can make an entry into both the shuttle and the aircraft.

The entire cabin is packed with interactive exhibits, throwing light on how the shuttle carrier aircraft came to be and the science that give birth to the innovative concept.