Space Exploration

The Great Lakes Science Center is taking one giant leap forward with the long-awaited opening of its redesigned NASA Glenn Visitor Center on March 30.

Themed around traveling to, living in and exploring space, the two initial galleries will open this month as part of the $5 million project that relocated the Glenn visitor center from the NASA Glenn Research Center in Brook Park.

"So much of the research there has made its way into space," says Dante Centuori, director of creative productions at the science center.

Using video, interactive displays and artifacts, the galleries highlight how the Glenn research center has shaped space exploration, from contributing to the liquid-fuel engines used in Saturn rockets to battery cells for the space shuttle. The third gallery, scheduled to open in June, features hands-on exhibits dedicated to NASA Glenn accomplishments in propulsion, aeronautics and power systems.

But during the first phase, visitors can view artifacts such as landing airbags and parachutes crucial to recent Mars missions.

"We couldn't have gotten to Mars without going through Cleveland," says Centuori. "We should be proud of that."

Space Shuttle Engine Out Test Model

"It looks like an art piece, but it has a complete engineering function," Centuori says of the model used to simulate exhaust and aerodynamic changes caused by an engine failure in order to design a safer abort mode.

Skylab Command Capsule

This capsule, which took astronauts to Skylab and back in 1973, anchors the"Explore Space" area, which shows how the efforts of engineers and scientists overcame the challenges of reaching space, living there, and returning to Earth.

Space Station Battery Sub-Assembly

Developed by the Glenn Research Center, this battery stores power that can be used when the solar-powered station is in the Earth's shade. It is identical to the dozen or so on board the International Space Station.

RL-10 Engine Cutaway

Safely harnessing liquid hydrogen with this upper-stage rocket design marked a huge step toward achieving America's space goals, putting the U.S. ahead of its Soviet competitors and closer to landing on the moon.