CLEVELAND — As NASA prepares to retire the space shuttle, new launch vehicles and spacecraft are being prepared to extend our presence beyond low Earth orbit.
On Saturday, April 19, the Visitor Center at NASA’s Glenn Research Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to accommodate three presentations, which will discuss the status of NASA’s Constellation Program and Glenn’s role in preparing to count down to the launch of the Ares I rocket and returning humans to the moon.
This family event includes kids’ crafts, “Picture Yourself in Space” digital photographs, lunar and meteorite sample display table and plenty of handouts — all FREE!
Advanced registration guarantees admission to the presentations. Call 216-433-9653 to register for any or all of the following:
10 a.m. – The Ares Launch Vehicle: Access to the Future Scott Graham, chief of Glenn’s Launch Systems Project Office, will discuss the development and testing of the Ares launch vehicle system and how Glenn is manufacturing flight hardware in preparation for the April 2009 launch of the Ares I-X test flight.
Noon – The Orion Spacecraft: Status Report James Free, Glenn’s Orion service module manager, and Elias Naffah, acting chief of Glenn’s Orion Project Office, will provide guests with an update on the development of the Orion crew exploration vehicle and discuss how Glenn is preparing its facilities to test Orion prior to its missions to the International Space Station and the moon.
2 p.m. – The Lunar Surface Access Module: At Home on the Moon Stephen Simons, manager of Glenn’s Lunar Lander Systems Office, will discuss how NASA plans to explore the moon with the Lunar Surface Access Module and how Glenn will play a pivotal role in the development and testing of this unique vehicle.
The Visitor Center is located at 21000 Brookpark Road. Admission to the Visitor Center is free, and the building is wheelchair accessible. All adult visitors must present government-issued photo identification upon entering the center’s Main Gate. Access to the center is restricted to U.S. citizens. All vehicles are subject to inspection.
Visitors are encouraged to spend time in the several galleries of the Visitor Center before or after the presentations. Normal hours of operation are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
For more information about the Visitor Center including upcoming events, call 216-433-2000 or visit:
