The MSOA was organized in October 2017, with the mission to perpetuate the memory of those who came forward from all over America to fulfill President Kennedy’s challenge to send men to the Moon. It recognizes and honors those who planned, trained and supported the many missions flown out of the Apollo Mission Control Center.
The association supports the preservation and maintenance of the control center and the restoration of the consoles, displays and support equipment. It also promotes the communication of the history of the control center and the benefits of space exploration to society. It intends to use this history to inspire new generations to educate and prepare themselves for future space challenges. It communicates to those who have supported spaceflight and to members of the public via this website: www.mannedspaceops.org.
In October 2021, the Board voted to expand the MSOA to include all those who operationally supported missions from the Johnson Space Center Mission Control through the end of the Space Shuttle Program ending with STS 135.