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.
818-354-5011