NASA Exploration Exhibit to Visit Chantilly, Va., June 19-21

America’s plans for opening the space frontier — including new human exploration of Earth’s moon and future voyages into the solar system beyond — are featured in an interactive exhibit that will be on display at the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar — Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The NASA Exploration Experience traveling exhibit gives visitors a vivid glimpse into the nation’s ambitious future in space. Chantilly is the exhibit’s second stop as it makes it way down the Atlantic Coast. The exhibit visited the Ocean City Air Show in Maryland earlier in June and was an instant draw.

“The Exploration Experience has been well received by visitors because it makes the future of space exploration real, allowing the public to virtually step inside NASA’s plans to experience the look and feel of returning to the moon,” said outreach coordinator Kirk Pierce of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

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,” Pierce added. “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.”

Also on Saturday, June 20, the center will host its annual “Become a Pilot Family Day and Aviation Display” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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. Visitors can learn how our quality of life improves as America’s space exploration activities refine existing technologies and develop new breakthroughs in areas such as power generation, computer technology, communications, networking and robotics. Visitors also can learn how other advanced technologies are increasing the safety and reliability of space transportation systems, while also reducing costs.

Touring the NASA Exploration Experience exhibit takes approximately 10 minutes. The exhibit is wheelchair-accessible. Exhibit visitors also can see what they would look like on the Moon by having their photo taken in a space suit against a lunar landscape. From Chantilly, the exhibit moves to the Harbor Fest in Charleston, S.C., June 26-29.

NASA’s Aerospace Education Services Project (AESP), a NASA resource that delivers education programs in all 50 states and US territories, will support the exhibit. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., manages the traveling exhibit for the agency’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in Washington.

In addition to the traveling exhibit, a 2-1/2 day teacher professional development workshop with Fairfax County (Va.) principals and teachers is scheduled for June 24-26. NASA Aerospace Education Specialist, Dynae Fullwood, will present NASA educational materials including ESMD related activities.

For more information about the traveling exhibit, visit: http://exploration.nasa.gov