Discover the Rocket City
Emily Oswald • 16 August 2018
The story of
Huntsville all started in 1945 when Dr. Wernher von Braun and his team of
rocket scientists came to the US to work on ballistic rockets for the military.
Soon after, some of the world’s first rockets and satellites came to life in
Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville. One particular rocket – the Saturn V – had the
privilege of sending the American Apollo astronauts to the moon for the first
time. It is with no doubt that Huntsville has been given the name “Rocket City”,
as their past achievements, advanced research and continued excellence in
aerospace is what makes the city a top tourism jewel.
Activities & Attractions
In
Huntsville, you will find history celebrated at every corner with a great
number of space facilities and activities located all over. Some examples of
what you will find includes:
- The U.S. Space and Rocket Center – the largest space museum in the world, where you will find some original Saturn V Moon Rockets, a flown Apollo capsule, a full-scale prototype of the space shuttle ready to launch, a new walk-through exhibit, and tons more!
- U.S. Space Camp – as a part of the Space and Rocket Center, the Space Camp is a training centre where visitors of all ages can conduct simulated missions, experience three times the force of gravity on the “G Force Accelerator”, manoeuvre through space aboard the “Mission to Mars” and watch breath-taking shows at the Spacedome Omnimax theatre.
- Von Braun Astronomical Society - here, you will find a planetarium where shows are held every Saturday night and followed by telescope gazing.
- Huntsville
Moonwalk
– located near Alabama Constitution Village, you will be able
to see Alan B. Shephard’s moon boot footprints in the concrete, Shephard was
known for being the second person and first American to travel into space, the
fifth and oldest person to walk on the Moon, the only of the Mercury Seven
astronauts to walk on the Moon, and commanded the Apollo 14 mission!
Additionally, you can find aerospace events running throughout Spring and Summer, such as The Nasa Human Exploration Rover Challenge, STE(A)M Fest, Lunch with an Astronaut and Math Alive.
Upcoming in Huntsville
Not only are there fabulous exhibits and attractions to visit year round, but July 2019 will be a cosmic month of celebration, as Huntsville commemorates 50 years of the Apollo 11. Expect a Guinness World Record attempt for the most simultaneous rocket launches, an Apollo Homecoming Dinner, a Celebration Car Show, a concert, dancing in the streets, and much more! Keep your eyes peeled for a master calendar of events and activities soon to appear on Huntsville’s County Convention and Visitor Bureau website: https://www.huntsville.org/.
Not only this, but the U.S. Space Camp is expanding with a new Cyber Camp program. Through various challenges and first-hand experiences, participants will immerse themselves into the world of cyber technologies. Expect to build computers and networking systems, explore coding, learn the fundamentals of Python programming, defend systems against cyber threats, and engage with cyber professionals to get real insight into the field.
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