Imaginations Take To The Stars At WonderWorks



In early October, WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge will present a new NASA  exhibit that let's your imaginations take off to the stars. The exhibit will feature scaled models of spacecraft and a virtual reality experience of NASA’s new rocket, the Space Launch System. There will also be artifacts such as a real moon rock that people can touch, and a meet and greet with former space shuttle astronaut Captain Robert “Hoot” Gibson. The fun and educational exhibit is slated to help further interest in STEM education and careers and is ideal for all ages.

The NASA exhibit will kick off with Captain Gibson visiting local middle schools to speak to students about his experience being in space. He will be at WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge on Saturday, October 7, 2017. Meet and greet opportunities are from 11 a.m. to noon, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., and from 3:00 p.m.  - 4:00 p.m., where he will answer questions, pose for photos, and give autographs. Media interviews will also be available.

“This is such an exciting exhibit for people and we are thrilled to be hosting it,” states Ed Shaffer, General Manager for WonderWorks. “Being able to meet a real astronaut and touch a moon rock is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one that you don’t want to miss.”

When you visit WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge during the exhibit you'll be able to actually met Capt. Robert “Hoot” Gibson, who served as a NASA astronaut from 1979 until 1996 - he's been on five space shuttle flights. He has logged more than 36 days in space, including having commanded the first docking of the space shuttle to the Russian space station Mir. He is also a graduate of the TOPGUN Navy Fighter Weapons School.

The NASA Exhibit Will Feature:

The Exploration Systems virtual tour allows you to experience the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft up close as you sit on the mobile launcher at Kennedy Space Center. You'll be transported to Launchpad 39B where you'll receive a brief overview of the different components that make up the most powerful rocket ever built, the SLS. Once the overview is complete, you'll then be placed inside an Orion Spacecraft virtual environment prior to launch.

Also during your visit you can take and print a photo of themselves in a spacesuit with either an SLS, Orion, Mars rover, or International Space Station background. This is a one-of-a-kind keepsake!

View a space Launch System 1:50 scale model on a mobile launcher and a 1:20 scale Orion Spacecraft table top model. And, don't forget to touch the moon rock from the Apollo 17 mission. Really, how often do you get to touch something from space?

“We are ready to grow interest in space explorations,” added Shaffer. “There will be plenty of opportunities for pictures, asking questions, and observing, making it an amazing experience for all.”

 Plan Your Visit To WonderWorks 

 To explore current exhibits, activities, shows, and buy your ticket to WonderWorks visit their website.


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