CLEVELAND–America’s plans for opening the space frontier – including new human exploration of Earth’s moon and future voyages to Mars and beyond – are featured in an interactive exhibit now touring Minnesota, and scheduled to visit Northfield October 2, 3 and 4.
Hosted by St. Olaf College, the NASA Exploration Experience traveling exhibit is intended to give visitors a vivid glimpse into the nation’s ambitious future in space. “We’re excited that people in our region will have the opportunity to have fun while learning more about NASA’s plans to explore space,” said Howard Ross, acting director of External Programs at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio. “We hope the multimedia experience helps everyone better understand how our nation plans to explore the moon and beyond in the next decade or so.”
During its stay in Northfield, the exhibit is visiting St. Olaf College for the dedication of their new building, Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences. The dedication is part of the “Celebration of the Future of the Sciences at St. Olaf College” events that will be happening all week. The exhibit will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. October 2 for local schools and from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. for the public. On October 3, hours will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for local schools and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the public. The exhibit will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 4 for the public.
The exhibit’s tour will continue at the Jefferson Community School in Minneapolis at Jefferson Community School, October 6 – 7; and the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, October 10 – 12.
The exhibit simulates a breathtaking visit to the first destination on America’s new journey into the solar system: Earth’s moon. “Interactive control panels and activity stations; immersive 3D imagery; and audio effects will plunge visitors into a not-too-distant future on the moon,” said Shannon Ridinger, Outreach Coordinator at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala. “They’ll discover what it will be like to live and work on the surfaces of other worlds, and how it will benefit life back home on Earth.”
NASA staffers will be on hand to answer questions and discuss some of the thousands of technologies used on Earth as a result of years of space-based research and development by the agency and its partners.
“Exhibit visitors can learn how quality of life improves when America’s space exploration activities refine existing technologies or develop new breakthroughs in areas such as power generation, computer technology, communications, networking and robotics,” said Ridinger. “Visitors also can learn how other advanced technologies are increasing safety and reliability of space transportation systems, while also reducing costs.”
Touring the Vision for Space Exploration Experience takes approximately 10 minutes. The exhibit is free and wheelchair accessible.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Ala., manages the traveling exhibit for the agency’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in Washington.
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