Contact:

Jason Townsend
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
(Phone: 301/286-8955)

July 23, 2004 - RELEASE: 04-038

PUBLIC INVITED TO SEE SPACE PROGRAM UP CLOSE

The general public is invited to come and see the expertise, technology and challenges associated with space exploration when NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center holds its Community Day open house on Saturday, July 31, 2004. Admission is free. Doors open at 10 a.m. and activities and events will continue until 6 p.m.

A variety of buildings and exhibits at Goddard will be open and with 13 exciting tour stops, visitors will be able to see such things as the Hubble Space Telescope Control Center, a super-clean filtered air room where satellite electronics are created, facilities that tests spacecraft before they are launched, a huge centrifuge, a deep-space communications network and real-life scientific balloons.

Visitors also will be able to enjoy real-time rocket and robotic demonstrations, NASA exhibits about Earth and Space, community exhibits from organizations/museums in the Baltimore/Washington area, local restaurant vendors with food for purchase, and lots of fun educational activities for the kids. Visitors can personally interact with NASA's scientists, researchers, and engineers and explore Earth and Space with 3-D animations and cutting-edge presentations given by NASA employees.

Individuals attending the event will need to park their vehicles in designated parking areas along Greenbelt Road (MD-193) near NASA Goddard or ride Metro rail along the Green line to the Greenbelt station. There is no cost for the parking and free shuttle bus service will be provided to NASA from all parking lots and the Metro station. All adult visitors are required to possess valid photo identification and all persons and articles are subject to search.

For more information about NASA Goddard Community Day, call 301-286-NEWS or visit the Goddard website at: http://community.gsfc.nasa.gov