Space Flight Operations Facility
Why it's listed
Mission control for NASA's unmanned planetary explorers sits in a square, three-story building with a basement at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. Completed in 1963 and operating from 1964, the Space Flight Operations Facility encloses 122,074 square feet, has a rock and concrete exterior, and is air-conditioned to precise tolerances. Its core is the Network Operations Control Center, with control consoles, video displays and the computers that process incoming data. It replaced a single-room control center built in 1958 for the Explorer 1 satellite, which could not support later projects such as Ranger. As the focal point of the Deep Space Network, it sends commands to spacecraft millions of miles away and receives their scientific and engineering data. The Mariner, Viking, Pioneer and Voyager missions were all controlled here for at least part of their flights. The building remains active and has been upgraded continually, and it was recognized as a landmark of early space exploration.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the hub of the communications network through which NASA controls unmanned spacecraft flying in deep space. Mariner, Viking, Pioneer and Voyager missions were controlled from it for at least part of their flights. It replaced the single-room Explorer 1 control center of 1958 and is described as the resource most closely tied to the laboratory's unmanned planetary exploration program.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85002814, listed October 3, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | October 3, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002814 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1963-Present |
| Architect / builder | NASA |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Other, Engineering |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated October 3, 1985 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as an active NASA facility in excellent condition, altered by continual modification and equipment upgrades since 1964. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Big Creek Hydroelectric System Historic District |
| Coordinates | 34.20088, -118.17423 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85002814.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7572351
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.