Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4769
Lindsay Crouch
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
757-864-3189
Kevin Crossett
Jamestown 2007, Wiliamsburg, Va.
757-253-4534
RELEASE: 07-111
BACK TO THE FUTURE - NASA STYLE
JAMESTOWN, Va. - What do Captain John Smith and Space Shuttle
Commander Rick Sturckow have in common? Or Pocahontas and NASA
astronaut Suni Williams? These explorers may be separated by 400
years, but they share the same spirit of adventure and discovery.
As an official partner with the Jamestown 2007 Commemoration
Commission, NASA will demonstrate this connection to the thousands of
visitors to Jamestown, Va., May 11 - 13 for America's Anniversary
Weekend.
Sunday, May 13, will be a highlight of the weekend with a visit from
President George W. Bush. NASA Administrator Michael Griffin will
introduce a special message from the crew of the International Space
Station, which includes Williams, during the president's visit.
NASA will debut an interactive exhibit that highlights the connections
between settlers in Virginia almost 400 years ago and NASA's plans to
explore space and establish a presence on other worlds. This exhibit
gives visitors the chance to make a personalized "Space Postcard;" be
photographed as an astronaut or settler; and win prizes for
participating in a NASA trivia game.
America's long-term exploration policy, the Vision for Space
Exploration, is working to return humans to the moon and develop the
tools needed to further explore Earth, the moon, Mars and beyond. The
road to discovery, much like the path to Jamestown, involves
searching for water, accommodating human needs, developing new forms
of transportation and establishing a settlement or space colony.
These four themes will be demonstrated through interactive displays
and hands-on activities in the NASA exhibit.
America's Anniversary Weekend is the national observance of the 400th
anniversary of the founding of Jamestown - the first permanent
English colony in America. The weekend will feature historical
interpretations, demonstrations, musical performances and educational
displays.
In June, a little piece of history will hitch a ride on space shuttle
Atlantis during its next mission, targeted for launch on June 8. A
lead cargo tag, dating back to the 1600s, is tucked inside a box in
the shuttle's middeck. The tag is the only thing found in 13 years by
the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
archeological digs at Jamestown Island that contains the word "Yames
Towne" on it. The tag's trip celebrates the link between explorers
past and present.
For details on America's Anniversary Weekend, visit:
http://www.Americas400thAnniversary.com
For more information on NASA, visit:
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