WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge has planned a temporary exhibit that is 
out of this world, and everyone is invited to blast off with it. The 
indoor park that combines amusement and educational opportunities is 
hosting a NASA exhibit from 
October 5-8, 2017
 that will focus on the amazing world of science and the planets. The 
exhibit will feature scaled models of spacecraft and a virtual reality 
experience of NASA’s new rocket, the Space Launch System. There will 
also be artifacts such as a real moon rock that people can touch, and a 
meet and greet with former space shuttle astronaut Captain Robert “Hoot”
 Gibson. The fun and educational exhibit is slated to help further 
interest in STEM education and careers and is ideal for all ages.
“This is such an exciting exhibit for people and we are thrilled to 
be hosting it,” states Ed Shaffer, General Manager for WonderWorks. 
“Being able to meet a real astronaut and touch a moon rock is a 
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one that you don’t want to miss.”
The NASA exhibit will kick off with Captain Gibson visiting local 
middle schools to speak to students about his experience being in space.
 He will be at WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge on 
Saturday, October 7, 2017. Meet and greet opportunities are from 
11 a.m. to noon, 
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., and from 
3:00 p.m.  - 4:00 p.m., where he will answer questions, pose for photos, and give autographs. Media interviews will also be available.
The NASA exhibit will feature:
- The Exploration Systems virtual tour allows participants to 
experience the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft up 
close as they sit on the mobile launcher at Kennedy Space Center. Users 
will be transported to Launchpad 39B where they will receive a brief 
overview of the different components that make up the most powerful 
rocket ever built, the SLS. Once the overview is complete, they will 
then be placed inside an Orion Spacecraft virtual environment prior to 
launch.
- Guest will be able to take and print a photo of themselves in a 
spacesuit with either an SLS, Orion, Mars rover, or International Space 
Station background. This is a one-of-a-kind keepsake!
- Space Launch System 1:50 scale model on a mobile launcher and a 1:20 scale Orion Spacecraft table top model.
- Touchable moon rock from the Apollo 17 mission.
“We are ready to grow interest in space explorations,” added Shaffer.
 “There will be plenty of opportunities for pictures, asking questions, 
and observing, making it an amazing experience for all.”
Capt. Robert “Hoot” Gibson served as a NASA astronaut from 1979 until
 1996 and is a veteran of five space shuttle flights. He has logged more
 than 36 days in space, including having commanded the first docking of 
the space shuttle to the Russian space station Mir. He is also a 
graduate of the TOPGUN Navy Fighter Weapons School.
WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge offers 35,000 square feet of 
“edu-tainment” opportunities, billing itself as an amusement park for 
the mind. They offer over 100 hands-on exhibits covering natural 
disasters, space discovery, an imagination lab, a physical challenge 
zone, a far out art gallery, and a light and sound zone. WonderWorks is 
open daily from 
10 a.m. until 9 p.m. For more information or to register for the event, log onto their site: 
https://www.wonderworksonline.com/pigeon-forge/nasa-journey-mars/.
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