NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, is opening its doors for the first time in four years to give the public a chance to explore what happens behind the gates of the campus. Explore@NASAGoddard is a free event on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT where people can learn about science, technology and meet the amazing people behind it.
In celebration of the Hubble Space Telescope’s 25th anniversary, this year’s event will highlight the theme “Celebrating Hubble and the Spirit of Exploration.” Visitors can tour the Hubble Control Center and get and hands-on experience with tools used on Hubble.
Approximately 130 engaging hands-on activities and exhibits, along with more than 30 fascinating presentations and 13 inspiring tours, will be available for event attendees to enjoy.
Guests will visit the giant thermal vacuum and acoustic chambers, the servicing capabilities facility and laboratories where spacecraft are tested. Tours will also include stops at Goddard’s television studios, the Visitor Center for “Science on a Sphere” presentations, as well as Goddard’s clean room and other satellite testing and construction facilities. Visitors will also get a behind-the-scenes look at NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, currently being built and tested in a large clean room. The Webb will succeed the Hubble telescope. Visitors will also be able to see what the sun looks like today on a giant wall called the “Solarium.”
In addition to connecting visitors with NASA Goddard’s main areas of Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, and engineering and technology, Explore@NASAGoddard will feature robotics demonstrations, games and prizes, LEGO® building, food trucks, and live music and other entertainment.
Guests will also have the opportunity to meet and speak with NASA scientists, engineers and astronauts.
Individuals attending the event will need to park vehicles in designated parking areas along Greenbelt Road (MD-193) near NASA Goddard or ride Metro rail. Visitors can park at the Metro or take Metro to the Greenbelt, New Carrollton or Largo stations to take a designated shuttle bus, at no cost, to NASA Goddard.
For more information about NASA Goddard’s Explore, call 301-286-NEWS or visit the Explore website at:
https://www.nasa.gov/explorenasagoddard
To get an idea of some of the fun that awaits you, check out this photo gallery from NASA Goddard’s previous open house:
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/features/2011/explore-goddard-wrap.html
Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Robert.J.Gutro@nasa.gov
301-286-4044