Right Stuff
PITTSBURGH — The Carnegie Science Center takes hands-on activities to new heights with “Spaceplace,” a new exhibit featuring a walk-in replica of the International Space Station, a scale model of the Hubble telescope, and a weightlessness experience.
The permanent exhibit opens Friday and lets visitors discover what it's like to be an astronaut.
In the two-story replica of the space station, visitors can conduct simulated hands-on experiments and learn about life in space.
Out-of-this-world interactives include:
Remote Manipulator Simulation: Visitors will follow a simulated EVA (extra vehicular activity) mission assignment using a real robotic arm and camera on the module exterior.
Microgravity Science Glovebox: The MSG is an enclosed workspace for experiments conducted in a low-gravity environment of space. Visitors will place their arms and hands into the exhibit glove box and interact with objects floated by a small blower to see and feel the difficulties of working in space.
Waste and Hygiene Compartment: Visitors can climb aboard a model of the Russian-built toilet, installed in Destiny laboratory, and get an opportunity to see what an astronaut might observe from this vantage point.
Personal Habitat Quarters: Visitors will experience where astronauts relax, including a temporary sleep station, a restrained sleeping bag that keeps astronauts from freely floating in the cabin.
Window Observational Research Facility: Visitors will see a collection of space footage and photos through WORF, an optical window for viewing and filming from space.Zero-G Climbers: On this 21-foot “zero” gravity climbing wall, visitors who want to pretend they are astronauts-in-training can ascend the module to complete a simple task without gravity.Micro-G Simulator: Visitors will complete tasks similar to those used in astronaut training, learning the effects that gravity and friction place on our environment.Hubble Telescope: See a one-third-scale model of the Hubble, suspended high above the Atrium floor.Other activities include astronaut and Pittsburgh native Mike Fincke talking about his space adventures during a special presentation at the Bayer Science Stage at 1 p.m. Saturday.The science center is open regularly from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through Fridays, but it will close at 6 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday this weekend.Admission is $17.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 3 to 12.Visit CarnegieScienceCenter.org for information.
