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Get ready to blast off and experience space exploration in a whole new way. Just as NASA launches one of the most exciting eras in the history of space exploration, families will get to put their hands on and walk through an amazingly realistic version of the International Space Station – and, they don’t have to leave Earth to do it.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will open a brand new space experience on June 25, 2016 called Beyond Spaceship Earth. It will feature three components: a recreation of portions of the inside of the International Space Station (ISS); a one-of-a-kind, immersive space object experience called the Schaefer Planetarium & Space Object Theater; and an Astronaut Wall of Fame, which will pay tribute to more than 30 astronauts with ties to Indiana, including our very own Extraordinary Scientist-in-Residence Dr. David Wolf.
“Beyond Spaceship Earth will showcase the many ways science, technology, engineering, and math contribute to our efforts to explore and understand what lies beyond our planet,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “We truly have the potential to inspire multiple generations of future scientists and explorers with one visit to the world’s largest children’s museum.”
International Space Station exhibit
Families will immerse themselves in the work of today’s astronauts as they walk through recreated portions of the ISS and learn how astronauts eat, sleep, live, and work aboard the space station. Visitors will monitor scientific experiments, experience the view from space in the ISS cupola with real NASA video, and see actual objects used by real astronauts in space. Families will also be able to sit in a replica of the Russian Soyuz capsule, the current vehicle used to carry astronauts to and from the space station.
Schaefer Planetarium & Space Object Theater 
The planetarium and space object theater will be a unique area in which a rotating selection of real and rare iconic spacecraft and other objects from space history will pair with a dynamic light-and-sound experience. Together, they will help tell stories of missions, astronauts, and events through the history of space exploration.
The first iconic object featured will be the Liberty Bell 7. It was the second U.S. capsule ever flown into space and was piloted by Indiana native Lt. Colonel Virgil Ivan “Gus” Grissom, in 1961.
“The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is amazing in its size and the unique quality of its exhibits. It is designed to appeal to people of all ages, not just children. For all of these reasons, I take every opportunity to promote it to friends and acquaintances,” said Patricia Schaefer, philanthropist. “The mysteries of our universe hold a particular fascination for me especially in view of recent discoveries of other astronomical systems beyond those previously known by our scientists. It makes me wonder what other worlds might be out there. My reason for involvement is that I hope the exhibit will inspire a future scientist attending the programs to accomplish the research it takes to push our boundaries further out into space.”
Astronaut Wall of Fame
Indiana has a rich history in engineering and training for future astronauts with more than 30 astronauts and engineers who have received a degree from the state’s universities. In partnership with Purdue University, a new Indiana Astronaut Wall of Fame will recognize the significant contributions that astronauts and engineers with Indiana connections have made to the history of space exploration.
“Purdue is honored to share items that showcase Purdue and Indiana’s important place in space exploration with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said. “We hope that these items and the Beyond Spaceship Earth exhibit will inspire the next generation of astronauts with ties to Indiana."
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and former astronaut Dr. David Wolf, the Museum’s first Extraordinary Scientist-in-Residence, played an integral role in providing the expertise to create this out-of-this-world experience.
“It is an honor to be associated with The Children’s Museum, to share my experiences in such a captivating manner to ignite the passion of our next generation of explorers - on Earth and in Space,” said David Wolf, former NASA astronaut and The Children’s Museum’s Extraordinary Scientist-in-Residence. “Families are able to see the miraculous achievement of the International Space Station as it passes overhead. Through this new exhibit at The Children’s Museum, they will now get a very tangible sense of what it’s like to live and work inside it. They’ll also learn about the transformative science that is conducted using a unique variable called microgravity.”
Beyond Spaceship Earth is made possible by lead gifts from Lilly Endowment Inc., Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Patricia Schaefer, The Heritage Group, and NASA, with major support provided R.B. Annis Educational Foundation, Church Brothers Collision Repair, The Dorsey Foundation, and Steve and Susan Haines. “Lilly Endowment believes that to improve educational outcomes, it’s important to capture the imaginations of students and help them see the relevance of what they are learning,” said Ace Yakey, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for community development. “Because of his infectious enthusiasm for science and space exploration and the fact that he grew up here in Indianapolis, David Wolf will both inspire students to learn more about these subjects and feel that they too can pursue further education and careers related to them. The combination of The Children’s Museum expertise with David Wolf’s engagement made these initiatives most compelling to the Endowment,” Yakey added. The new space on the Lower Level of the world’s largest children’s museum (just over 3,626 square feet) will showcase the many ways science, technology, engineering, and math contribute to our efforts to explore and understand what lies beyond our planet.
Digital games developed with the support of the Entertainment Software Association Foundation will allow children to perform the tasks of real astronauts aboard the ISS. The material contained in Beyond Spaceship Earth: International Space Station is based upon work supported by NASA under award Number NNX14AD06A. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Liberty Bell 7 space capsule is on loan from the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, Inc., Hutchinson, Kansas. Object loans from Barron Hilton Flight and Space Exploration Archives, Purdue University Libraries, Karnes Archives and Special Collections.
About The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Facebook.com/childrensmuseum and YouTube.com/IndyTCM.
