A ribbon-cutting ceremony that includes speakers and laboratory tours will
mark the grand opening of the new research annex of the National Space
Science and Technology Center in Huntsville, Ala. From its shock-absorbing
foundation to its rooftop lightning observatory, the annex offers
state-of-the-art facilities for science and engineering research. News media
interested in covering the ceremony Wednesday at 10 a.m. should contact
Steve Roy.

What: A ribbon-cutting ceremony that includes speakers and laboratory tours
will mark the grand opening of the new research annex of the National Space
Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) in Huntsville, Ala. From its
shock-absorbing foundation to its rooftop lightning observatory, the new
annex offers state-of-the-art facilities for research in multiple science
and engineering disciplines.

The first floor is constructed with a special “shock-absorbing” foundation
to protect sensitive research experiments from disturbances such as traffic
and wind vibrations. A high bay area gives scientists space to assemble
large airborne instruments. Crowning the annex is a glass-encased
observation facility on the center’s roof. Built to withstand the strain of
severe weather, it offers an ideal vantage point for observing lightning
during thunderstorms.

The NSSTC is a partnership with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in
Huntsville, Alabama research universities, industry and other federal
agencies.

Who: Speakers include:

  • U.S. Rep Bud Cramer of Alabama’s 5th Congressional District
  • NASA Marshall Center Director Art Stephenson
  • University of Alabama in Huntsville President Dr. Frank Franz

When: Wednesday, April 23, 2003, 10 a.m. CDT

Where:

The National Space Science and Technology Center
320 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, Alabama

*Located in Cummings Research Park, on Sparkman Drive between Bradford Drive
and Lakeside Drive

To attend: News media interested in covering the event should contact Steve
Roy of the Marshall Media Relations Department at (256) 544-0034 and should
arrive at the event by 9:45 a.m. and enter through the front entrance on
Lakeside Drive. Immediately after the program, media representatives will be
able to conduct one-on-one interviews with speakers and tour laboratory
facilities.