NASA Space Capsule

OUSTON became the center of the manned space explorations of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and received the sobriquet "Space City," a universal epithet to add to its list of nicknames.  Later renamed the Lyndon Bains Johnson Space Center, the United States Manned Spacecraft Center thrust Houston into the international limelight, surrounding the city with the dream-like aura that typifies space travel. Houston became the symbol, an initial outpost for man's forays into space and the gate to the final frontier.

NASA'S selection of Houston as home of the astronauts precipitated an influx of both scientist and related industries from throughout the world to the city.