Access to the Exploration Center and the availability of specific exhibits is subject to maintenance schedules and other factors.

Please call in advance of your visit to
ensure the most current information.

ALL individuals and groups are welcome. Advanced notification of intention to
visit by groups of 20 or more allows us to provide a better visitor experience.

Contact the Exploration Center at
(650)604-6497 or (650)604-6274

Click Here for Driving Directions

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

OCTOBER 15 - The NASA Exploration Center NOW OPEN with exciting new exhibits.

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE EXPLORATION CENTER

Navigation Instructions

(Click to Download the Quicktime Free Player at http://www.apple.com.au/quicktime/download/)

Exhibits and Activities

An Interactive Kids' Learning Area:

Young people from ages 3 to 6 can 'explore' Mars and take part in Mars-related activities in an area with Mars-like surroundings and soil.

The Reality Theater:

Visitors will see recent transmissions of the Mars Exploration Rover landings from mission control at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the largest Reality Center on the West Coast. In addition, visitors will see panoramic images from high-resolution cameras onboard the rovers as they begin a series of Martian traverses to study the rocks and soil.

The Carnegie Mellon University Interactive Rover Yard:

Visitors can choose a specific Martian site and control interactive robotic vehicles, similar to the Mars Exploration Rovers, on a realistic Mars science mission.

Ultra-light Thermal Protection Samples:

Visitors view thermal protection samples, developed at NASA Ames and designed to protect the rovers as they descend into the Martian atmosphere.

Two Meteorite Samples:

Visitors will view the Zagami meteorite, a section of a 40-pound ancient basaltic rock from Mars that fell to Earth as a meteorite in 1962. They can also see the Millbillillie meteorite, a basaltic sample from the asteroid Vesta, which was discovered in 1960.

Trikebot Exhibit:

Visitors can view a robot programmed and operated by local high school students at Carnegie Mellon University's summer Robo-camp held at NASA Research Park adjacent to NASA Ames.

The MERBoard:

This large, interactive visual display allows scientists to capture, view and share information about the mission. Developed at NASA Ames, this is a primary computer tool used to plan each rover's Martian traverses.

Rover Exhibits:

Visitors can see robots being studied at NASA Ames for future planetary missions, including the K9, Scorpion and Snakebot rovers.

Marsoweb:

Visitors can see an Ames-developed set of software tools used by planetary scientists to determine the best and safest sites for the Mars Exploration Rover landings. http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov

Computer Area with Links to MarsWeb Sites:

Visitors can go to Mars exploration sites, including the JPL Mars Exploration Rover site.

Mars Topographic Globe:

Visitors can view a 3-foot-diameter globe showing landing sites for the Mars Exploration Rovers.

Mars/Earth Illuminated Globe:

Visitors can switch between Mars' and Earth's surface features and compare the two planets.

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