Space: A Journey to Our Future

Jan. 30–May 31, 2010

OMSI presents Space: A Journey to Our Future January 30-May 31, 2010. Produced by Evergreen Exhibitions and presented in collaboration with NASA, this dynamic, multimedia exhibit looks back into the history of aeronautics and examines the many unknown questions of existence posed by future space exploration.

In December 1972, the Apollo 17 took what became one of the most widely publicized and famous images of the twentieth century. The iconic view of Earth as a "Blue Marble" floating in space revolutionized public perception of our fragile planet during the rising environmental consciousness of the early 1970s, highlighting a sense of vulnerability and shared responsibility.

Nearly four decades later, our planet is still a very small and fragile part of a vast universe. We share its destiny, and its limitless possibilities.

Look forward to these out-of-this-world experiences in the exhibit:

• Explore a future Lunar Base Camp including bunk beds and a kitchen! 
   
• Build an Ares rocket. 
   
• Create your own mission to Mars. 
   
• Ride a bike-powered centrifuge and experience the physiological challenges of space flight. 
   
• Hold a piece of the universe! Touch actual Moon meteorites and Mars rocks. 
   
• Get an up-close look at artifacts* from the space program, and displays on the new spacecraft that can fly you to the Moon and beyond. 
   
• Meet today's explorers who are working to understand how to protect our planet. 
   
• Look far into the future of the universe exploration in a 360-degree theatre. 
   
• Watch for special live broadcasts of space shuttle launches. 
   
• See photos from Mike Barratt, the former "OMSI kid" who recently completed a mission on board  the International Space Station, exclusively at OMSI. 

• Experience the past, present, and future of space through these and dozens of other displays and interactives.  

• More than Earthlings, we are inhabitants of the Universe. 

• Come explore Space: A Journey to our Future and dare to dream!

Space Comes to Science On a Sphere

Science On a Sphere (SOS) is a six-foot suspended globe that uses computers and video projectors to display dynamic animated images of the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, animal migration patterns, global warming trends, hurricane paths, and more. The permanent exhibit in OMSI's Earth Science Hall was made possible through a partnership between OMSI and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

During the Space exhibit, look for special SOS presentations designed by NOAA, including "Mars--The Red Planet," "The Earth's Moon," and "Jupiter--Biggest Planet in the Solar System." Other subjects may range from constellations to deep field objects.

Space out with these cool activities!

Visible Earth - A catalog of NASA images and animations of our home planet: visibleearth.nasa.gov/

Games, animations, projects, and fun facts about Earth, space and technology: spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids

Paper spacecraft construction including the Hubble and Fermi Space Telescopes:
nasascience.nasa.gov/kids/the-universe/universe-spacecraft-paper-models

*Artifacts generously on loan from the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum located in McMinnville, Oregon.

National Sponsors: 

Local Presenting Sponsor: 

Local Supporting Sponsors: