STENNIS SPACE CENTER, MS – INFINITY at NASA Stennis Space Center, a new state-of-the-
art science center and visitor attraction to be located near the Interstate 10 entrance to NASA Stennis
Space Center, just west of the existing Mississippi Welcome Center moves forward with detail
design. Mr. Leo Seal, Chairman of the Board, MAST, Inc., recently signed contracts totaling $3.25
million for detail design services.
A $1,800,000 fixed-price contract was awarded to New York-based ESI Design, one of the world’s
foremost experiential design firms, for development of the visitor experience.
MAST, Inc. has also awarded a $471,000 fixed-price contract to Stantec Architecture of Vancouver,
British Columbia, for final design of the INFINITY at NASA Stennis Space Center facility.
Studio South, an architectural and engineering firm based in Gulfport and Biloxi was awarded a
contract for $975,000, and will serve as the project’s Architect of Record.
INFINITY at NASA Stennis Space Center will engage visitors of all ages in exploring our earth,
oceans and space through the work of the scientists, engineers and pioneers at work every day at
NASA Stennis Space Center. The $35 million, 60,000 square-foot facility is scheduled to open early
in 2007.
The project concept and design result from a public-private partnership between NASA and MAST,
Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization chartered in the state of Mississippi. MAST, Inc.
was formed in 2001 by a group of area business leaders to work with NASA on the project.
Visitors to INFINITY at NASA Stennis Space Center will explore three primary galleries: Earth,
space and oceans. Each area challenges visitors with deepening levels of involvement, ranging from
traditional gallery tours to hands-on experiments to activity-based “missions”.
The facility will incorporate some aspects of Stennis Space Center’s award-winning visitor center,
StenniSphere, and the Education Resource Center.
In a study conducted by Harrison Price Company, a firm that specializes in recreation market
analysis, INFINITY at NASA Stennis Space Center is expected to draw 260,000 to 362,000 visitors
per year. The study concludes a “favorable attendance outlook” for the project and “strong promise
of financial self-sufficiency,” based solely on revenues earned from admissions, merchandise and
food and beverage sales.
Site preparation for INFINITY at NASA Stennis Space Center is scheduled to begin late 2004 with a
formal groundbreaking in 2005. Doors will open in early 2007. For more information, please
contact Tommie Staten at (228) 688-1393, tommie.staten@ssc.nasa.gov.
