NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe joins NASA scientists,
mission managers and a Mars rover today to help Disney’s
Epcot, at the Walt Disney World Resort, celebrate the success
of the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
The Administrator’s now famous quote, “We’re backÖ and we’re
on Mars” is being added to a permanent collection of space-
related quotations on the faÁade of Disney’s latest
attraction, “Mission: SPACE.” The popular attraction launches
visitors on a simulated space adventure to the Red Planet.
“Mission: SPACE” combines NASA-based technology and imagery
with the creative minds of Walt Disney Imagineering to
deliver a one-of-a-kind exploration experience.
“The attraction builds on a foundation of science fact and
provides visitors a fantasy ride into the future of
exploration,” said Administrator O’Keefe. “It’s a realistic
experience that can introduce a new generation of explorers
to the excitement of science, technology and discovery.”
“Mission: SPACE” officially opened Oct. 9, 2003. It is
Disney’s most technologically advanced attraction, relying on
visual imaging, motion control and centrifuge technology to
send would-be astronauts on a futuristic voyage.
“Mission: SPACE appeals to the explorer in all of us,” said
Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena
Vista, Fla. “NASA’s triumphant Mars missions embody that
spirit of exploration. We are pleased and honored to have
Administrator O’Keefe’s comments taking their place at
Mission: SPACE alongside those of others who dared to dream,”
he said.
NASA provided Disney’s Imagineering team with tours,
briefings and discussions about human and robotic missions,
as well as the challenges future missions, like a trip to
Mars, might present. The attraction took five years and some
350,000 work-hours to build.
During a special ceremony, an actual Mars rover made a
ceremonial pass through wet cement. Administrator O’Keefe’s
quote will be affixed near the rover’s tracks in the
attraction’s planetary courtyard. The latest developments and
discoveries on Mars also were shared during the event.
As for the real rovers traversing Mars some 300 million miles
from Earth, Spirit and Opportunity have made extraordinary
discoveries and found important clues to a watery past on the
martian surface. The Spirit rover is driving toward the
“Columbia Hills,” and Opportunity has been making close
examinations of a martian rock known as “Bounce” before
moving toward Endurance Crater.
For information about the latest developments on Mars and
Disney’s “Mission: SPACE” attraction on the Internet, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/solarsystem/mer_main.html
http://disney.go.com/vacations/missionspace/ms_mainflash.html
For information about NASA and agency missions on the
Internet, visit:
