NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland will open its doors to media representatives on Monday, March 11, from noon to 4 p.m. EDT for a “Moon to Mars” event featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the center’s work to return astronauts to the Moon for long-term exploration.
At 12:15 p.m. EDT, Glenn Center Director Janet Kavandi and Space Flight Systems Director Bryan Smith will discuss the center’s role in the nation’s lunar exploration program. A short question-and-answer session with Smith will follow.
Media attending the event will watch NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine deliver remarks at 1 p.m. EDT on NASA Television. Bridenstine will discuss the agency’s plans to lead a sustainable return to the Moon, which includes the integration of U.S. companies and international partners, with the aim to use the Moon as a proving ground for the ultimate goal – sending astronauts to Mars.
Tours of the following facilities will begin after the administrator’s remarks:
- the newly completed In-Situ Resource Utilization Lab, where engineers will explore methods to extract resources from the lunar surface to transform them into life-sustaining elements like breathable air, water and fuel;
- Simulated Lunar Operations Lab, where Glenn is developing the next generation of rover tires for the Moon, Mars and destinations beyond;
- Electric Propulsion and Power Lab, where Glenn develops and tests propulsion technology that is crucial to NASA’s deep-space missions; and
- a nuclear energy laboratory, where Kilopower, a new fission power system that could provide the energy required for living on and exploring the surface of the Moon and eventually Mars, was developed.
Media representatives who want to attend the activities should contact Jan Wittry at 216-870-0348 or jan.m.wittry-1@nasa.gov by 4 p.m. March 8. Media need to arrive at Glenn’s Main Gate located off of Brookpark Road no later than 11:50 a.m. for the Monday event.
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Jan Wittry
Glenn Research Center, Cleveland
216-433-5466
jan.m.wittry-1@nasa.gov