Although the focus is clearly on space and related sciences, the Space & Rocket Center has created a wide selection of exhibits to interest those with interest levels from peripheral to extremely dedicated.
Both the new Davidson Center for Space Exploration and the main buildings of the Space & Rocket Center feature several eye-level exhibits, many of which allow touching or give a close view of real landers or other space craft usually seen only in the movies.
The grounds also include a space shuttle, several rockets, and the esthetically pleasing SR-71 Blackbird. Guests gain a true appreciation for the scale and engineering required by each of these, further whetting interest in the indoor displays.
Women in Space
Female astronauts share a large wall with detailed biographic information, photos, and mission accounts. Famous women include Sally Ride, Mae Jemison (the first female African American astronaut), and others. The walk-through outside mock-up of the space station uses a mannequin to portray a female astronaut who explains the astronauts’ daily routine.
Hands-on Activities for the Whole Family
While many people know that Tang was produced from experiments in the early space program, there are many unheralded science projects on board most of the modern shuttle flights. Science labs contain small rodents, insects, DNA samples, and other cellular research for scientists to observe and manipulate while in space.
Many of these experiments study the effects of gravity and are often used in later educational programs with schools.
Rocket Park with Moon Landing and Space-Age Rides
Rocket Park contains several authentic rockets and military air craft in the outdoor park area. Outdoor seating is available for picnics or resting, and smaller children will enjoy the pavilion with a horizontal climbing course called the Kids Cosmos and a smaller-scale Lunar Lander ride, both of which are included in the price of admission.
Older kids and adults can try the Space Shot ride, which blasts riders 140 feet in the air with 4 Gs of force, or the G Force Accelerator, which allows people to experience gravitational forces. The Lunar Gift Shop is also in this area and the indoor Food Park can be accessed from within the Space & Rocket Center or from Rocket Park.
Climb a Mars Volcano
For visitors who want to do a little physical exploration, the Mars Climbing Wall encourages investigation of its replica of a Martian volcano’s cliff face.
Other indoor physical interactive exhibits offer surprises, such as the Mars Mission simulator which begins as a normal mission and transforms into an exciting simulated trek on Mars.
IMAX Movies Bring Space to Viewers
With the price of admission, visitors can choose one or two movies to see, depending on their admission package.
The Space & Rocket Center has an IMAX theater in which space-themed movies play, evoking the views that astronauts see from their spacecraft or even casting deeper into outer space to see the galaxies and supernovas captured by the Hubble Telescope.
Families with younger children may opt for showings of animated films, also usually with a space or science theme. These well-known cartoons can give tired kids a chance to recharge before further museum exploration.
The selection of movies in each theater changes periodically but this option serves as a definite benefit for guests.
Space & Rocket Center Information
The US Space & Rocket Center is located at One Tranquillity Base in Huntsville, Alabama, easily found off of I-65/I-565. Open 9 am to 5 pm daily except for major holidays. Some seasonal operating hours may apply so verification of hours is suggested.
Admission prices begin at $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for children (kids under five years old are free) but admission includes the choice of a movie in addition to museum admission.
Bonnye Good - Bonnye Busbice Good received an Editor's Choice award for her article on Your Historic Home's Interior Design Secrets and has also written ...
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