For Release: March 26, 1997

Angela Storey
Office of Media Services
(205) 544-0034
angela.storey@msfc.nasa.gov

RELEASE: 97-030

MARSHALL CENTER TO HOLD COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE

The Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., will hold a free Community Open House on Saturday, May 3, to give members of the public in surrounding communities the opportunity to see and learn about the space program and Marshall's key role in it.

The event, planned from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will open facilities to the public and feature activities that let visitors share in NASA's past successes, observe current Marshall Center work and have a glimpse into the future of the space program.

"This will be a unique opportunity for the community," said Marshall Center Director Dr. Wayne Littles. "We're planning the event so people will have a really informative, meaningful experience, and be able to get as close as possible to the real Marshall Center."

Open House Chairman Cedreck Davis said flexibility will be one of the key ingredients that should make the event enjoyable and informative for a wide range of interests.

"Visitors will basically be able to build their own tour by walking or driving from location to location, with Center representatives on hand at each point to answer questions and provide information," he explained.

Options for visitors to see will include a variety of facilities including the NASA Communications Center, Space Sciences Laboratory, Wind Tunnel test facility, Neutral Buoyancy Simulator, the Astrophysics X-ray Assembly Facility, Astrionics Laboratory, the Payload Crew Training Complex, Spacelab Mission Operations Control, Huntsville Operations Support Center and the East and West Test Areas.

There is no admission charge. Souvenirs and refreshments, along with a variety of entertainment will be available during the Open House to add to a day designed to show appreciation to the public for many years of support.