posted June 05, 2006 02:28 PM               

Visitors to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center will now be able to see and even touch the future of space exploration, thanks to the Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Lockheed Martin has donated to the USSRC the test capsule used in a series of water landing tests, or drop tests, as part of the design and development of the next generation of NASA space vehicles. The capsule, constructed primarily of hand laid-up fiberglass with a Nomex honeycomb core, is now on permanent display in the USSRC’s Rocket Park, adjacent to the majestic Saturn V rocket vehicle.

"Future generations will be able to see this vehicle and gain some understanding of the extreme testing performed on our spacecraft long before the first astronaut climbs inside," said Larry Capps, the USSRC's Chief Executive Officer. He added, "This is a wonderful addition to our Rocket Park, and we're extremely grateful to Lockheed Martin for making it available to us."

The ribbon cutting for the new exhibit was held at 10:00 a.m. today, Monday June 5, in Rocket Park at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.