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Photo courtesy of
NASA |
July 26, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin -
Two thousand eighty-one weeks after humans first walked on the moon, Air-
Venture visitors can see a piece of the lunar surface in person. The moon
rock is part of NASA’s larger Oshkosh exhibit celebrating the agency’s
contributions to space exploration, aeronautics research, and Earth
science.
“This year we’re celebrating not only our
historic landing on the moon 40 years ago, but also looking forward to the
next generation of moon missions,” said Jim Hull, NASA exhibits manager.
“Last month we launched the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. It’s
circling the moon right now, transmitting images. Then this fall the Lunar
Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite will impact the moon looking for
water ice.”
Just as NASA is back over the moon, the agency
returns this year to AirVenture after a one-year hiatus. Outside NASA’s
pavilion near the Honda Forums Plaza will be a small example of a possible
moon base, an inflatable lunar habitat design concept. Inside the building
visitors will learn more about robotic moon missions aided by an
interactive media display that includes mission animations, project
videos, 3-D models, and lunar mapping images.
The exhibit will also feature models that show
how NASA plans to return to the moon and why. From the moon, air show
participants will be able to move onto Mars and a full-scale replica of
one of the Mars Exploration Rovers in front of a 3-D Martian landscape.
NASA’s contributions to aeronautics,
including a 50th anniversary retrospective honoring the first flight of
the X-15, are also featured at the exhibit. A special education area will
allow youngsters to make and take their own ringwing gliders and offers
other hands-on activities.
A Gulfstream III, which serves as a multi-role
test bed for a variety of NASA’s flight research experiments, will be on
display at AeroShell Square. The aircraft’s pilot and crew will also be
on hand to answer questions.
NASA representatives also plan presentations
throughout the week at various AirVenture pavilions. See the daily
presentation insert for times and locations.
Scheduled forum speakers include a test pilot,
a space shuttle flight director, and research engineers talking about
subjects ranging from uninhabited aircraft, recent robotic moon missions,
and mission control tips for experimental aviators.
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