posted 10-22-2024 11:20 AM               

U.S. Space & Rocket celebrates Pathfinder shuttle and the Return of the Spaceline at special Biergarten Under the Shuttle

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center invites the community to celebrate the return of the iconic Pathfinder shuttle orbiter with a special Biergarten Under the Shuttle this Thursday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Dr. Kimberly Robinson, CEO and Executive Director of the Rocket Center, Dr. Jan Davis, a Huntsville native and three-time space shuttle astronaut, and others will make remarks at this event taking place in Shuttle Park under the full space shuttle stack.

Along with special remarks, the full Biergarten menu of German food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The Pathfinder shuttle stack was erected at the Rocket Center in 1988. Developed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Pathfinder was originally used as a heavy-lift article to test handling, transportation and other procedures for the Space Transportation System, best known as the space shuttle. Pathfinder is a name NASA gives to articles used to test infrastructure and logistics for its programs.

After more than 30 years of exposure to the elements, the Rocket Center removed the orbiter for extensive restoration in 2021. The orbiter was lifted back into place in September for final cosmetic touches.

The Pathfinder shuttle stack consists of:

• Pathfinder orbiter
  
• External Tank Series No. 1, also known as Main Propulsion Test Article External Tank
  
• A pair of prototype solid rocket boosters
  
• Three space shuttle main engines, including two that flew on space shuttle missions and one that was used for testing.

There is no admission charge for the Pathfinder celebration, and guests may also enjoy the newly completed Rocket Park during the event. Rocket Park includes Rocket Row with five historic rockets the Rocket Center has restored and remounted along with the engine section of the SLS core stage pathfinder and a new amphitheater.

Rocket Park will also include the Marshall Retirees Association's Space Exploration Wall of Honor, which will include the names of more than 21,000 employees of Marshall Space Flight Center to honor their role in Huntsville space exploration.

The restoration work on Pathfinder and Rocket Park has been a massive undertaking, and the Rocket Center is proud to celebrate the Return of the Spaceline to the Rocket City.