space.tif

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville recently threw open many of its doors to the public, sharing an inside look at the work of the nation’s space program. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville launched a regular series of Marshall bus tours July 20.  “We’re excited to partner with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center for this revealing tour of our world-class facilities,” said Marshall Center Acting Director Gene Goldman. “Marshall is tasked with developing some of NASA’s most critical science, engineering and space exploration projects and missions— helping to extend a human presence into the solar system, unlock the secrets of the cosmos, and improve and protect lives here on Earth.

“Demonstrating the innovations and intricacies of that work to visitors from all over the nation will be a pleasure and a privilege for the Marshall team,” he added.

Tours visit a number of key Marshall laboratories and test sites, including many involved in development of NASA’s Space Launch System, the advanced, heavy-lift launch vehicle that will enable new exploration missions beyond low-Earth orbit. The Marshall Center is leading development of the Space Launch System for NASA — a national endeavor incorporating the work of NASA field centers and industry partner facilities across the country.

Bus tours introduce visitors to historic sites where early American rockets were tested; state-of-the-art facilities where NASA develops and tests powerful new flight vehicles, space systems, uncrewed science probes and space imagers; and the International Space Station Payload Operations Center — where Marshall personnel are in contact around the clock with station crews, orchestrating science experiments and maintaining communications between astronauts and researchers around the world.

“It is our honor to be Marshall’s Visitor Center and to once again open the doors to their groundbreaking work,” said Dr. Deborah Barnhart, chief executive officer and executive director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. “We are pleased that Redstone facilities and programs will be featured on the tours going forward.”

The Marshall Center bus tours are available to all visitors to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, situated at One Tranquility Base off Interstate 565 in Huntsville.

For center hours, directions and more information, visit www.rocketcenter.com