PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIF. 91109. TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 1996
PUBLIC INVITED TO JPL'S ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will open its doors to the
public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9,
for an annual open house, featuring ongoing research and many of
the Laboratory's space exploration missions.
Many of the Lab's scientists and engineers will be on hand
to answer questions about how spacecraft are sent to other
planets, how scientists explore planet Earth with space-based
technologies and what lies ahead as scientists plan for new
projects to search for planets around other stars.
There will be many opportunities for children to take a
hands-on look at science. They may build their own rockets or
operate a full scale model of "Sojourner," a 10-kilogram (25-
pound) rover that will be sent to Mars aboard the Mars Pathfinder
spacecraft in December 1996. Guests will also be able to share
their ideas and opinions about exploring Mars with project
representatives.
An "Earth Walk" area will feature several of JPL's Earth
observing missions, including an exhibit of recent ozone data
that were taken over the Northern Hemisphere. A spaceborne radar
image of Los Angeles will be available for people to "process"
themselves and take home.
The public will also have the opportunity to view the
Cassini spacecraft, which is in development in JPL's Spacecraft
Assembly Facility clean room. Cassini will be launched to Saturn
in 1997. Or they may prefer to have their names flown to Saturn
onboard a Cassini CD-ROM by adding their signatures to a list at
the Cassini booth.
JPL is located at 4800 Oak Grove Drive in Pasadena, off the
210 Freeway at the Berkshire Avenue/Oak Grove Drive exit.
Reporters wishing to cover this event should contact the Public
Information Office at (818) 354-5011.