From Pune to the Moon: A Weekend at Space Center Houston
When Work Takes You Closer to the Stars
2015 was special.
It was the first time I landed in the United States—officially for work, unofficially for experiences that would stay with me forever.
Like most onsite trips, weekdays belonged to meetings, deadlines, and deliverables. But weekends?
Weekends were sacred. That’s when onsite colleagues came together to explore, laugh, and create memories beyond office walls.
One such weekend led us to Space Centre Houston—the official visitor centre of NASA Johnson Space Centre.
And honestly, it felt less like a museum visit and more like stepping inside a childhood dream.
The Plan: A Simple Day Trip, A Lifelong Memory
Whenever weekends arrived, our onsite group made it a rule—let’s do something memorable.
This time, the choice was unanimous: Space Centre Houston.
And like always, Amy was the heartbeat of the plan.
She wasn’t just an office colleague—she was our unofficial travel guide, local expert, food consultant, and logistics manager rolled into one.
From pickup to drop-off, from where to go to what to eat—Amy handled everything with warmth that went far beyond workplace friendship.
People are the same everywhere. You just need to find people like you.
And in Houston, I found Amy.
Familiar Faces in a New Land
Another comfort of that trip was Vineet.
We were already colleagues back at the Silicus Pune office, part of the Sales & Marketing team. A few months before this trip, Vineet joined me in Houston—and we were staying together in the same company apartment.
So this trip had everything:
- Familiar colleagues
- New friendships
- A shared sense of curiosity
- And an endless supply of inside jokes
Inside Space Centre Houston: Where Science Feels Personal
Walking into Space Centre Houston instantly shifts something inside you.
This isn’t just about rockets and space—it’s about human ambition.
Some unforgettable highlights:
- Moon Rock (Moon Stone)
Standing inches away from an actual piece of the Moon was surreal. Something that travelled across space… now resting quietly behind glass. - Astronaut Cameras & Tools
Cameras actually used by astronauts in space. Scratches, buttons, wear marks—proof that real humans were behind those historic missions. - Historic Spacecraft & Capsules
Seeing spacecraft up close gives you a new respect for design, engineering, and courage. - Space Shuttle Exhibit
And then came the moment.
Amy and I stood behind the shuttle and captured what I can only call a lifetime photograph. A frozen memory, framed by one of humanity’s greatest achievements. - Training Modules & ISS Displays
From astronaut training setups to International Space Station models, everything felt immersive and deeply humbling.
All around us were families, kids, seniors—proof that curiosity has no age.
Collectables, Gifts & Smiles Back Home
No Space Centre trip is complete without souvenirs.
I went a little crazy at the gift shop 😄
Collectables for my kids, mementoes for family, fun space-themed gifts for friends—each item carried a story.
Back home, every gift became a conversation:
“Did you really see this where astronauts train?”
Yes. I did.
A Reflection: Beyond Space and Science
What stayed with me most wasn’t just the technology or exhibits.
It was:
- Colleagues becoming friends
- A foreign land feels familiar
- A weekend turning into a lifelong memory
Standing there, looking at the shuttle, I realised—
Exploration isn’t only about space. It’s about people.
And sometimes, thousands of miles away from home, you find connections that feel just right.
