All-American Hero Will ‘Launch’ a Weekend of Space Exploration
With the Hubble makeover
mission completed, Kennedy Space Center is turning its attention to launching
a “satellite exchange program” in the heartland with help from a Hubble
veteran and all-American space hero.
Story Musgrave, the 1993 Hubble Space
Telescope mission’s lead repairman, along with fellow astronaut Norm Thagard,
who spent more than three months on the Russian space station Mir in 1995,
will land in central Ohio next week for the first-ever Midwestern Astronaut
Encounter.
The event, scheduled for March 23-24 at Deer Creek Resort and Conference
Center near Columbus, will give area families the opportunity to learn about
space exploration from the experts and enjoy a unique family getaway.
Musgrave and Thagard will offer families a first-person account of their space
travels, showcase authentic artifacts and videos, conduct mission briefings
and participate in question-and-answer sessions.
Additionally, the astronauts
will lead interactive educational activities for kids, such as building and
launching air rockets, dine with the families and host informal meetings with
opportunities for autographs and personal photos.
The weekend will conclude
with a prize drawing for a one-week visit to Kennedy Space Camp.
“Many families are looking for unique travel experiences closer to home
this year,” said Bill Brown, Deer Creek’s general manager.
“This vacation
experience will bring the excitement of the NASA Space Program and two of our
national heroes from the launch pad to the heartland, creating a truly once-
in-a-lifetime event for Midwesterners.”
Astronaut Encounter is designed to educate and promote the continual
exploration of space in a recreational environment.
Deer Creek is offering a
special family package of $359 for the weekend, covering one night’s lodging,
a welcome reception and three meals for a family of four.
Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center, operated by Delaware North Park
Services, a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies Inc. (DNC), recently earned
AAA’s three-diamond rating, recognizing the resort’s recent building and
services enhancements.
Deer Creek is the only Ohio State Park lodging
facility to earn a three-diamond rating from AAA.
For more information about Astronaut Encounter, call Deer Creek toll-free
at 877-678-DEER or visit the Web site at www.VisitDeerCreek.com .
About Delaware North Park Services
Delaware North Park Services is one of the fastest growing providers of
recreational visitors’ services in the United States.
The company’s expertise
includes the operation of a broad range of hotels and restaurants, retail
stores, tours, educational programs and leisure activities.
The company
serves as guardians of such national treasures as Yosemite and Sequoia
national parks, Grand Canyon, Kennedy Space Center, Niagara Falls, Roaring
River, Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Captree and Deer Creek state parks and the
Asilomar Conference Grounds and Jetty Maritime Park.
CONTACT:
Melissa Lackey of The Standing Partnership, +1-314-469-3500, or
Bill Brown of Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center, +1-740-869-2020, ext.
3002, both for Delaware North Park Services
