Space Day is a perennial favorite at the National Air and Space Museum where visitors enjoy hands-on activities, meet astronauts and authors, learn about space from Museum experts, and even talk live to an astronaut on the International Space Station. All of the activities take place amid the awe-inspiring collection of historic aviation and space artifacts in the Museum’s National Mall building. Activities include: 10:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Meet former astronauts Dr. Dan Barry, Dr. Roger Crouch, and Capt. Kenneth Reightler Jr. in a panel discussion followed by questions and answers from the audience. 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. STS-119 Appearances
Col Lee Archambulut (Crew Commander)—Constellation Booth, Milestones of Flight
Cmdr. Tony Antonelli (Pilot)—Robotics (South Lobby)
Joseph Acaba—How Things Fly (Gallery 109) (with Roger Launius)
Richard Arnold—ARISS Contact (Gallery 102)
John Phillip and Swanson—Space Suits, Solar Arrays, and Space Walks—In front of Lunar Lander (Gallery 112) On Stage in Space Race Gallery (National Air and Space Museum facilitators Valerie Neal, Matthew Hersch and Roger Launius
Dr. Dan Barry, 10:45 AM, Facilitator Matthew Hersch
Dr. Roger Crouch, 11:05 AM, Facilitator Matthew Hersch
STS 119 Crew, 11:45 AM, Facilitator Roger Launius
Music in Space, 12:30 PM, Facilitator Roger Launius
Dr. Roger Crouch, 1:00 PM, Facilitator Matthew Hersch
Dr. Dan Barry, 1:20 PM, Facilitator Matthew Hersch
STS 119 Crew, 1:45 PM, Facilitator Valerie Neal 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. View a multimedia presentation and meet the astronauts of STS 119, the March 2009 Space Shuttle Discovery crew, who will talk about their experiences on the International Space Station. A questions and answer session follows the presentation. 12:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Learn to how astronauts play music in space. Watch a multimedia presentation by Richard Paul with interviews and videos of astronauts playing music in space. 11:23 or 11:48 a.m. (barring technical difficulties) Talk live to an astronaut on the International Space Station, courtesy of Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) AMSAT – The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation Find out about radio equipment and more about amateur radio. 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Story Time for younger children (ages 3 – 8) The Astronaut’s Handbook by Meghan McCarthy 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Dream about being an astronaut? Watch Apollo to the Moon, an exciting multimedia performance by Kevin Reese in which he shares one young man's dream to become an astronaut and the dream to reach for the impossible -- the Moon. FIRST Robotics Check out local robotics teams’ latest creations and demonstrations of their expertise in building and controlling robots for competition The New Lunar Rover Hear Dr. W. Brent Garry, Museum geologist, talk about his experiences as a test driver of the next generation of lunar rovers. Lockheed Martin presents the Orion Crew Vehicle Get a sneak peek at the much-anticipated successor to the space shuttle, the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle. Washington Metro Area LEGO Users Group Marvel at displays of LEGO creations and enter the “pit” full of bricks where you can make your own spacecraft. Northern Virginia Association of Rocketry See home-built rockets and learn how to build your own flyable model rocket. Signatures in Space Sign a giant poster to be sent into space on a future mission. Lunar Surface and Rock Learn about the Moon’s surface from Priscilla Strain, Museum scientist, and see a real Moon rock. Duct Tape Activity Construct a duct tape wallet to take home and learn how duct tape is used in space. Make a Mission Patch Design a space mission patch like astronauts wear and take it home. Meet the author 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11, by Brian Floca -- a story of adventure and discovery for ages 4-7. The book will be on sale and can be signed by the author. This schedule is subject to change. Please ask a visitor services representative at the Visitors Services Desk for an updated schedule upon arrival. This event is made possible by the generous support of Lockheed Martin with additional support from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. |
