“Today, I am going to learn all about this amazing place!” she said to her mom eagerly and confidently.

When they got to the Space Center, they met a lady who greeted them warmly. “Hello! Let me tell you the story of the Johnson Space Center,” the lady said.

“On May 25, 1961, President Kennedy set a goal to send astronauts to the moon. They needed a place to train and prepare for their big trips. So, they created this center,” the lady said loudly.

“Wow! So, astronauts came here to learn how to go to the moon?” Lily asked briskly.

“That is right!” the lady said quickly with a smile. “In 1969, astronauts such as Neil Armstrong were the first people to land on the moon. But they did not do it alone. They trained here, using rockets, space suits, and tools to help prepare them for their big trip.”

Lily could hardly picture it. “Did they use a rocket like the ones I saw outside?” she asked.

“Yes! The rockets they used to train in were huge! A lot of people helped the astronauts train safely. It took them time to get used to zero gravity. Their training was incredibly difficult, but the astronauts trained tirelessly and diligently.”

The lady took Lily and her mom to a room where they could see old photos of the first astronauts. Some photos showed the astronauts boldly with their big, white space suits, all set to launch into space. Another photo showed a rocket launching boldly into space.

Lily learned that after trips to the moon, the Space Center kept growing. Now, astronauts train there before going to the International Space Station. The space center is still helping people understand space.

Lily carefully looked at the old photos and a copy of a rocket. She felt amazed that she was standing in a place where her role models had trained so skillfully. “One day, I will be an astronaut,” she said hopefully.

When it was time to go back home, Lily was a little sad. She had learned so much about the Johnson Space Center and its amazing past. “I am going to tell all my pals about the first astronauts and the rockets they used,” she said boldly. “I cannot wait to stop by soon!”