The
Goddard Space Flight Center has a nice, not very large, visitor center where we spent a fun afternoon. What kid doesn't love space? The center includes all sorts of displays, about planets and galaxies, artificial satellites, space ships, and they even have some rockets outside.
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Goddard's Visitor Center |
J and L enjoyed posing in front of informational displays more than reading them. They have a nice one on the planets and another on galaxies.
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The sun's natural satellites |
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L in the galaxy |
Models of various scientific satellites are on display. Probably the most famous is the
Hubble Space Telescope, which lets astronomers sees the far reaches of the universe in visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light. It was launch in 1990 and is still working today.
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Hubble Telescope model |
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A model for seeing into the Hubble (L was not impressed) |
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Detailed view of the model |
A less famous telescope is the
James Webb Space Telescope planned to launch in 2018. It will replace the Hubble Telescope and provide imagery in the visual and infrared ranges.
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James Webb Space Telescope |
Another display shows the
International Space Station along with a scale model of the space shuttle. The first bits of the station were launched in 1998. Now it is earth's largest artificial satellite and can be seen with the naked eye on a good night.
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International Space Station |
The
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is a spacecraft launched in 2009 to map the moon in preparation for further exploratory missions.
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LRO model |
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Orbiter details |
The Center also has a moon rock, which was much cooler to me than to the children.
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Moon rock |
A more fun interactive exhibit is one on solar panels, demonstrating how the proper angle gives more power.
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Working the solar panels |
By far the most popular exhibit is the life-size replica of a Gemini capsule. The
Gemini Program ran from 1961 to 1966 and put crews of two astronauts into earth orbit. L and J were happy to try out the capsule.
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J boards the capsule |
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J pilots the capsule |
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Capsule controls |
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Another control panel |
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The crew of two with plenty of space |
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L wants out! |
Outside are several rockets and missiles along with a planetary rover.
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Third stage engine of a Delta Rocket |
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Rocket |
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Tomahawk missiles |
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Planetary rover |
In case you were wondering, Dr. Robert Goddard was a pioneer in rocketry. He made the first successful liquid propelled rocket and developed multi-stage rockets. He died in 1945 just days before the Hiroshima bombing.
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Bust of Goddard |
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