While Houston Controls the Missions, This Ohio City Has Produced the Most Astronauts in America

Cleveland’s Space Legacy

There must be something in Cleveland’s water that makes people want to explore space, because no other American city has produced more astronauts. Maybe it’s the winters. Maybe it’s the Browns. Either way, this rust belt town is secretly America’s space capital. Here’s why.

That Ohio Accent Created Armstrong’s Legendary Quote

Neil Armstrong, the first human being to walk on the moon, was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio on August 5, 1930. He grew up with a Midwest twang, which is likely what led to people mishearing his famous quote.

He actually said “one small step for a man,” but the Ohio accent made it sound like “one small step for man”. 

Midwesterns have a tendency to blend words, such as “for” and “a,” which could have made it difficult to hear the “a” in what he said. The quote is still iconic, though.

Cleveland is an Aviation Center

In 1929, Cleveland Municipal Airport became the permanent home of the National Air Races, which brought in more than 100,000 viewers each year.

The city then opened what would become the NASA Glenn Research Center in 1941 (initially called Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory).

In 1945, the laboratory played a key role in testing the first American jet engines, including the General Electric J33. Believe it or not, Cleveland Aviation Career Day draws over 1,000 students, introducing them to careers in aviation, aerospace, and engineering.

The Research Center That Shapes Space Travel

The NASA Glenn Research Center in Brookpark Road, Cleveland covers 350 acres and has over 3000 workers. NASA Glenn (then Lewis Research Center) developed the Centaur upper-stage rocket, which was first tested in 1962.

They also helped develop the fuel cells used in the Apollo spacecraft during moon missions. The center operates the 8×6 Supersonic Wind Tunnel to test equipment at six times the speed of sound.

Now they test hypersonic aircraft and space vehicle designs. They’ve also shared exhibits with the Great Lakes Science Center, like an Apollo command module and a moon rock.

America’s Second Female Astronaut is from Ohio

Judith Resnik grew up in Akron and finished first in her class at Firestone High School in 1966. She studied electrical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and joined NASA in 1978.

She was one of six women chosen in NASA’s first class to include female astronauts. Her first trip to space on STS-41-D aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 1984 lasted six days.

Sadly, she died in the Challenger accident on January 28, 1986. Akron University named an engineering hall after her and created a scholarship in her memory.

Cleveland is Prime Stargazing Territory

Cleveland offers stargazing and space education history is massive. The Geauga Observatory Park which started in 1922, hosts weekly stargazing events featuring a research-grade telescope and hands-on science exhibits about black holes and planetary motion.

At Letha House Park in Medina County, you can observe Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moons, and deep-space nebulae through high-powered telescopes under the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association (CAA).

The Space Culture is Strong Here

The Terminal Tower lights up with NASA’s colors during space events. A large mural of astronaut John Glenn decorates a wall near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, honoring his space legacy.

Even the Cleveland Museum of Art has displayed works inspired by Hubble Space Telescope. The Orbit Cafe names its food after space missions (try their Rocket Dogs and Mission Control Wraps).

Each year, the Great Lakes Science Center hosts “Yuri’s Night Cleveland,” an annual space-themed party celebrating human spaceflight.

Cleveland Schools Give Future Astronauts a Giant Push

NASA Glenn works with many local universities, recently working on 3D printing for aerospace projects, including rocket engine components. Case Western Reserve University has been training aerospace engineers by collaborating with the main research center, since the 1940s.

Cleveland State University also works with them to improve satellites and clean up space junk. The Great Lakes Science Center teaches visitors about space through real spacecraft displays.

Space Companies Also Help Train Students

NASA Glenn offers over 400 internships annually to train college students. Partnering with Parker Hannifin (one of the largest engineering co-op programs in Ohio), they focus on fluid control and motion systems in aerospace.

Lockheed Martin’s Akron facility specializes in defense systems and high-altitude airships. NASA Glenn and the University of Akron also partner on aerospace materials research, including heat shields for space missions.

The Shafran Planetarium

At the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 75,000 students learn about astronomy in the Shafran Planetarium, including real-time simulations of constellations, eclipses, and Mars landings.

tHE NASA Glenn Research Center also hosts special events like the Glenn Engineering Day, which has drawn over 15,000 attendees to meet astronauts and explore space technology. They also host an annual STEM Art Challenge and the Little Explorers Program which draws in 500 young and eager participants every year.

NASA Loves Ohio

Ohio ranks among the top states receiving NASA contracts, with millions going to Cleveland-area aerospace firms. Natives like Geoffrey Landis, a NASA scientist, specialize in Mars exploration and space solar power.

Local companies like Pioneer Aerospace create new space technology. ZIN Technologies has worked on over 200 spaceflight projects for NASA, including ISS biomedical experiments and deep-space mission hardware.

Cleveland-area graduates also work at major aerospace firms, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and NASA.