mission control

American

noun

Aerospace.

a command center for the control, monitoring, and support of activities connected with manned space flight.

Etymology

Origin of mission control

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And back in Houston, there wasn't a dry eye at mission control - and that includes the BBC team.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

When mission control at Johnson Space Center played Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club,” the song cut just before the titular refrain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Koch adjusted the system's controls, restarted them with the help of mission control, and that appeared to resolve the issue.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

But as the Earth shrinks ever smaller in their rear-view mirror, they've had a constant connection with mission control in Houston, Texas.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

And at times we heard the astronauts’ voices going “Roger this” and “Roger that” to mission control.

From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023