JPL Open House (Jet Propulsion Laboratory News Release)

http://www.spacearchive.info ^ | 2004 May 11 (Wednesday) 18:57 PDT

[WSGilcrest]

JPL Open House Jet Propulsion Laboratory News Release

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., will hold an open house on Sat. and Sun., May 15 and 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., taking visitors on a virtual ride through the solar system with this year's theme, "The Spirit of Exploration."

This fun-filled, family event has a little of everything for space enthusiasts and non-space buffs. You can explore the planets as you walk through a model of the solar system, build your own spacecraft, and have your picture taken in infrared light. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with scientists and engineers, who will staff booths to answer questions about current and future missions.

Structured around the themes of technology, Earth, Mars, our solar system and the universe, visitors will see and learn more about how missions come together. Watch student-built robots compete and see your friends fly in space. Learn about the devices scientists use to explore our planet, from the ground below to the outer reaches of Earth's atmosphere. Or follow the water to Mars through a tour of the laboratory designed for test-driving robotic vehicles destined for Mars. Kids will get the chance to be rolled over by a rover. Learn how we communicate with the spacecraft currently exploring the solar system. See the world's lightest solid. Watch "Ring World," a multimedia presentation on the Cassini mission to Saturn, shown in planetariums around the globe.

Admission is free. No backpacks or ice chests are allowed, with the exception of small purses and diaper bags. Visitors, vehicles and personal belongings are subject to inspection. JPL is located at 4800 Oak Grove Drive in Pasadena, off the 210 (Foothill) Freeway at the Berkshire Avenue/Oak Grove Drive exit. Parking is available near the Oak Grove main gate and on the eastern boundary of JPL, accessible from Windsor Avenue via the Arroyo Boulevard exit off the 210 Freeway. Air-conditioned buses will run non-stop between all lots and JPL's main gate. Buses and tour guides will move people between different locations around the facility. Walking is required to some locations.

[WSGilcrest]

I like this part:

Kids will get the chance to be rolled over by a rover.

Sounds like a good time.

[Prime Choice]

You ain't been rolled over until you've been rolled over by a rover!

(Or so I've been reliably informed.)

[RightWingAtheist]

It's called The Rachel Corrie Experience.

[absalom01]

I can heartily recommend going to this -- we go every year, and the kids (even the teenager) have a blast. My favorite bit is that every mission has a display booth, and people on that team take turns manning the booth. So, you can just walk up and talk to, say, the guy who keeps Casini talking to earth, or a young scientist in charge of one aspect of the science package of a mission, to the head engineer....

It is not to be missed.

And the rover thing is a riot, too. They have the kids lie down perpendicular to the rover's path, and then drive this little 6-wheeled contraption over the giggling kids. The kids love it, but it usually dawns on the grownups that the JPL folks are pretty good at engineering.

[Straight Vermonter]

When I saw the title I figured it was an invitation to the Chinese.

[absalom01]

That's a different open house you're talking about there, pardner. And anyway, wouldn't an H2 be more appropriate for that motley crew?

[jokar]

We're going on Saturday what a show.