William Harris, President & CEO, Space Center Houston

In an interview with Invest:, William Harris, president and CEO of Space Center Houston, described Houston as a uniquely collaborative “big little city” where industries align to enhance quality of life. He highlighted Texas’s $300 million push to strengthen the space ecosystem and Space Center Houston’s expanding role in public engagement, education, and innovation. “Eighteen of the 20 major space companies now have a presence in Texas. This is the nexus of space exploration,” Harris said.

What makes Houston unique as a city to live and work in?

Houston is one of the most welcoming and collaborative cities I’ve ever lived in. The major industries — space, energy, healthcare, and tech — work well together. There’s a shared goal of improving quality of life, and leaders across sectors genuinely support one another.

I like to call it a “big little city.” Even though it’s large, it feels connected. People know each other, they care about the community, and they’re open to newcomers.

I’ve lived in Boston and Los Angeles, and Houston is different. In Boston, people tend to be more reserved, and in LA, relationships can feel transactional. In Houston, people are truly hospitable. They want you to succeed, and they help you become part of the community.

What changes or trends have had the biggest impact on Space Center Houston over the past year?

We’ve seen a few major developments. One key priority has been working to bring Texas together around a more dynamic space exploration ecosystem. Houston has long been at the center of this, as home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, but recently we’ve seen greater collaboration statewide. We’re now uniting the public sector, private sector, and educational institutions.

This led to the creation of the Texas Space Commission, which just completed its first year. Alongside that is TARSIC, a consortium of educational institutions collaborating with industry and government to strengthen the space ecosystem.

The state has committed substantial funding, $300 million in the latest cycle, and a portion of that is going toward competitive grants for companies and institutions helping to drive innovation. That level of investment is unprecedented in Texas.

Eighteen of the 20 major space companies now have a presence in Texas. This is the nexus of space exploration.

What role does Space Center Houston play in Houston’s identity as Space City?

We’re a nonprofit created by NASA Johnson Space Center to serve as its visitor center and public-facing partner. Our independence from federal funding allows us to remain agile and resilient, while still working hand in hand with NASA.

We present the past, present, and future of human space exploration with an emphasis on what’s happening now. We also work closely with the commercial space sector and educational partners to inspire visitors and create STEM opportunities.

Our goal is to ignite awe and wonder. We doubled our attendance and budget over the past 10 years and are approaching 2 million visitors annually. Around 300,000 of those are students and educators who participate in programs or field trips. We take data seriously. Our audience research team tracks what visitors want to learn and where misinformation exists, helping us adapt and evolve our exhibits and offerings.

How has the broader economic environment affected visitation and your strategies?

We’ve seen a drop in international visitors, which aligns with national tourism trends. At the same time, domestic visitation has increased slightly, as people opt for shorter, closer-to-home trips.

Discretionary spending is always the first to be cut during economic uncertainty, and that affects institutions like ours. However, we’ve shifted marketing efforts to target regional travelers, including those heading to cruises out of Galveston.

The good news is that people still see value in what we offer. Spending per visitor has held strong, and we’ve become a top choice for those prioritizing meaningful experiences.

How are you adapting your offerings to meet evolving visitor expectations, especially regarding experiences and innovation?

We’re always introducing new experiences. Our guest experience team monitors visitor feedback and trends closely.

Space exploration is more international than ever, with 78 government-affiliated space agencies globally. That’s why collaboration is essential. NASA’s Artemis program, for example, has 58 countries signed on to the Artemis Accords.

We also highlight partnerships with companies like Axiom Space, which is developing a private space station. We often host Axiom’s astronauts, their families, and international delegations looking to explore business partnerships in Houston.

On the education front, we offer everything from day visits to week-long programs for students, and our international reach continues to grow through programs in Latin America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

What new initiatives or exhibits have you launched recently to engage visitors?

Northrop Grumman donated its Gateway human habitat training module, which was used at NASA to prepare astronauts for the Artemis missions. Visitors can now step inside this real piece of space history.

We partnered with Tom Hanks to premiere the documentary “Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks,” which features never-before-seen Apollo footage and ties the legacy of the moon missions to the Artemis program.

We’ve also introduced interactive exhibits like Mission Sketch, where guests design rockets and see them digitally launch. Our Moon to Mars Festival brings in commercial space partners, and we showcase current innovations like lunar rover prototypes and Blue Origin’s New Shepard capsule.

We also allow visitors to participate in actual human subject research in partnership with Johns Hopkins University and Baylor College of Medicine. It’s a chance for people to contribute to space science by collecting data on vestibular and ocular responses, which is key for future spaceflight readiness.

How does Space Center Houston support and connect with the broader innovation ecosystem in Texas?

Exploration Park, a 280-acre campus just outside Johnson Space Center’s secure fence, is a key part of that. Texas A&M’s Space Institute will be the anchor tenant, with a planned opening next year. Companies like KBR are establishing facilities as well.

This complements the Houston Spaceport, which is receiving significant public investment, including a new runway.

Space Center Houston acts as a convening space for many of the events, meetings, and delegations supporting this ecosystem. We help connect innovators, researchers, and industry leaders in an environment designed to inspire collaboration.

What are your top priorities for the next two to three years?

Our board recently approved a new facilities master plan. We’ve outgrown our current building, which was designed for 700,000 visitors annually. Last year alone, we brought 1 million people to Johnson Space Center through our tram tours.

Phase one is already underway: We’re doubling the size of our education building. Opening in December, the new Duval Jadhav Learning Innovation Center will add capacity for 1,000 more students and feature a retired NASA Payload Development Lab, fully outfitted for training and STEM programs.

We’re also planning to triple the size of the main Space Center Houston facility. Senator John Cornyn has advanced legislation to relocate a flown space shuttle to Houston. If that comes through, we’ll exhibit it alongside our shuttle carrier aircraft and high-fidelity shuttle model, fully integrating it into our learning programs.

Our long-term goal is to realize the full expansion plan over the next 10 to 15 years and continue to elevate Houston as the global hub of human space exploration.