Lee Scherer was here this week to be interviewed for an oral history for the Museum’s library and archives. He is seen here with interviewer Dr. Jim Busby. Lee was involved in some of the space program’s most amazing moments – if you want to know more, look here:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/Biographies/Directors/scherer.html
and here:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/scherer.html
→ 1 CommentCategories: space
Tagged: air, busby, diego, history, jim, lee, museum, san, scherer, space
On Saturday, June 13th, over 140 people (mostly future scientists and astronauts) came to the museum to hear Dr. Sally Ride (first American woman in space) read from her new book Mission: Planet Earth, then meet her and obtain a personally signed copy.
In addition to giving a vivid presentation on her space flight experiences, reading from and signing her new book, Dr. Sally Ride also took the time to flight test our new Space Shuttle simulator and sign it. While she sat inside, she remarked at how accurate (for when it was made) the shuttle cockpit looked, and explained how many of the controls worked.
Below are some photos from the day. If you would like to watch her whole presentation, click here.
To learn more about Sally Ride, click here.
→ Leave a CommentCategories: fun · special event
Tagged: air, book, diego, museum, ride, sally, san, signing, space
A few weeks ago, the Discovery Channel debuted a new show named Doing Da Vinci (we showed the first episode here at the museum). The show builds full sized working models using designs drawn by da Vinci. Once they finished filming, Discovery Channel offered the models to the Museum and The Da Vinci Experience.
This week, the catapult, machine gun, and car arrived at the museum. They are currently being prepared for display. Below is a video and some pictures of the models as they wait to move in. They are amazing to see!
We will receive more models in the coming weeks, such as the tank which most likely will be on display at the San Diego Air & Space Museum – Gillespie Field Annex because it is just to big to bring here.
→ Leave a CommentCategories: behind the scenes · special exhibits
Tagged: air, car, catapult, da, diego, model, models, museum, san, space, tank, vinci
Over 1000 visitors and representatives from NASA, JPL, Sally Ride Science, the Mars Society, The National Space Society, Lockheed Martin and many other space and astronomy groups joined us last Saturday for the 6th Annual Space Day Celebration.
Kids of all ages launched water and paper rockets, drove model Mars Rovers on a simulated Martian surface, looked at the sun safely through a telescope, previewed a new space documentary film, and many other activities to numerous to mention (Yeah, it was that good). Visitors also helped us test out our new Shuttle Atlantis simulator by landing the shuttle from 15,000 feet and they touched an actual tire taken from the Atlantis shuttle (don’t worry they replaced it and besides, this week is all about Shuttle Atlantis which just lifted off into space!). Kids also had their pictures taken with “Andy the Astronaut.”
Even with all these hands-on activities, visitors took the time to enjoy our million dollar view and lunch on our back patio (we should really think about getting into the food business, oh wait, we are).
We would like to thank all of our visitors and presenters and we hope to see you all next year in 2010. To tide you over here are a handful of photos taken this year:
→ Leave a CommentCategories: fun · space · special event
Tagged: air, day, diego, event, family, museum, san, space
A few years ago, the Museum acquired a Space Shuttle Atlantis cockpit mockup, formerly used by the Space Camp next to NASA Ames research center here in California. The cockpit has been in Museum storage waiting for the perfect moment to emerge.
Tomorrow (May 9th, 2009) will be that glorious moment! For the Museum’s Space Day, our curatorial staff are finishing their outfit of the cockpit with new monitors and simulator software, which once installed, will allow visitors to sit inside the cockpit and test their astronaut skills by trying to land the Space Shuttle. So if you stop by tomorrow or come to visit the Museum in the future, stop by our space gallery and try it out.
Here are some pictures of the simulator installation:
→ Leave a CommentCategories: behind the scenes · fun · space
Tagged: air, atlantis, cockpit, diego, museum, pictures, san, shuttle, simulator, space
