"NASA Exploration Experience" Exhibit Visits Burlington Friday And Saturday

The "NASA Exploration Experience" will visit Burlington, VT on Friday to propel visitors on a 3D journey across the solar system -- and to demonstrate the countless rewards made possible back on Earth by NASA's 50-plus years of science, discovery and technology development.

The traveling exhibit, which uses 3D imagery and the latest interactive video technology to immerse visitors in the experience, will be at the Main Street Landing Performing Art Center as part of the Vermont 3.0 Technology Jam. The exhibit -- air-conditioned and wheelchair-accessible -- will be open from 1000 to 1700 EDT on October 15 – 16.

As part of this educational experience, Jitendra Joshi, Chief Technologist Advisor at NASA Headquarters, Washington, will speak on "The Challenges of Living in Space" on Oct. 15 at 11000, 12000, and 1300 EDT the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center.

"The NASA Exploration Experience will send visitors out of this world -- and will bring a piece of another world right to them, in the form of a touchable moon rock," said Communications Manager Rocky Lind of NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Since NASA was founded, its exploration and research missions have put space to work all over the world," he added. "In our homes, hospitals, schools and cities, on our roads and in the skies, NASA technologies dramatically improve the quality of our lives every day."

In addition to highlighting many of these innovations, the exhibit's immersive 3D presentation demonstrates the challenges -- physiological and technological -- involved in sending human explorers on extended journeys to Earth orbit and beyond.

Visitors also will see how NASA and its government, industry and academic partners around the world are developing robust science missions to new worlds and new destinations, and building next-generation launch vehicles to extend humanity's reach across the solar system. This cinematic experience, narrated by Peter Cullen -- the voice of "Optimus Prime" from the popular "Transformers" movies and cartoons -- ponders the thirst for understanding that drives human voyages of discovery, and offers breathtaking glimpses into a busy future in space.

NASA staffers will be on hand to answer questions and discuss how America's space exploration activities continue to refine existing technologies and contribute new breakthroughs in areas such as power generation, computer technology, communications, networking and robotics, and as a special souvenir of their experience, exhibit visitors can step into a NASA photo booth, and within minutes walk away with a free photo of themselves in astronaut gear and space helmet on the surface of the moon or Mars.

FMI: http://exploration.nasa.gov