[by PressZoom]

Visitors will be propelled into a 3D journey across the solar system when they step inside the “NASA Exploration Experience” at the Strawberry Festival in Troy, Ohio, June 4-5. The exhibit demonstrates the countless rewards made possible back on Earth by NASA’s 50+ years of science, discovery and technology development.

The traveling exhibit, which uses 3D imagery and the latest interactive video technology to immerse visitors in the experience, will be located on the levee along the Great Miami River. The NASA exhibit will be open to the public on Saturday, June 4 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibit is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible.

On Saturday at 9 a.m., NASA will participate in the festival’s parade, displaying its 30-foot shuttle float. Following the parade the float will be located in the NASA exhibit area.

“We hope visitors to the NASA Exploration Experience will be excited and astonished by the impact of space exploration on their everyday lives,” said Rocky Lind, communications manager at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “In the past five decades, NASA research and development has resulted in more than 2,000 breakthrough tools and technologies. These contributions are everywhere, in every walk of human life – from medicine and surgical procedures, to transportation systems and basic food safety and public safety solutions.”

In addition to highlighting many of these innovations, the “NASA Exploration Experience” 3D movie presentation demonstrates the physiological and technical challenges involved in sending human explorers on extended journeys to Earth orbit and beyond.

The exhibit will feature a moon rock that was retrieved by astronaut Jack Schmitt during the Apollo 17 mission. It is one of eight lunar samples made available for the public to touch.

Visitors will also see how NASA and its government, industry and academic partners around the world are developing robust science missions to new worlds and new destinations, and building next-generation launch vehicles to extend humanity’s reach across the solar system. This cinematic experience, narrated by Peter Cullen – the voice of “Optimus Prime” from the popular “Transformers” movies and cartoons – ponders the thirst for understanding that drives human voyages of discovery, and offers breathtaking glimpses into a busy future in space.

NASA employees will be on hand to answer questions and discuss how America’s space exploration activities continue to refine existing technologies and contribute new breakthroughs in areas such as power generation, computer technology, communications, networking and robotics.

Visitors can take away unique souvenirs of their NASA experience. They can either step into a Mark III spacesuit and take a photo of themselves in astronaut gear with their own camera, or stop by the “Picture Yourself in Space” photo booth for a free photo taken as an astronaut.

For more information about the traveling exhibit and NASA’s exploration mission, visit: exploration.nasa.gov

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