RoundupReads Are you ready for some football?

Are you ready for some football?

2017-01-19
The countdown is on and Houston is readying for the Super Bowl LI headed to NRG Stadium on Feb. 5. With the Space City hosting the big game, America’s space program will be in the spotlight as football fans across the country tune in to see all the action. As part of the festivities, the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee and NFL will be highlighting Houston as the “city of the future” and specifically showcasing NASA and the excitement of space exploration.
 
Here’s the play by play of what’s planned leading up to the game and how NASA’s Johnson Space Center is collaborating on this stellar opportunity.
 
Downtown – Super Bowl LIVE
For 10 days leading up to the Super Bowl, Discovery Green will be transformed into a major public attraction to entertain and showcase all that Houston has to offer. More than 1 million people are anticipated to visit this free community extravaganza entitled Super Bowl LIVE, where multitudes of entertainers, food vendors and interactive activities will be assembled to celebrate the upcoming championship game.
 
More information:
https://www.visithoustontexas.com/blog/post/10-day-super-bowl-live-festival-set-in-houston/
http://www.housuperbowl.com/host-committee-releases-plans-performers-super-bowl-live  http://www.discoverygreen.com/superbowllive
http://www.housuperbowl.com/super-bowl-live
 
Future Flight
The signature attraction of Super Bowl LIVE will be Future Flight—a special space-themed exhibit area prominently featuring NASA and the Journey to Mars. The 11 acres of green space directly in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center will showcase numerous displays, including a 30-foot-tall Space Launch System rocket, a space exploration rover and an Orion mock-up used for water-recovery training.  

NASA, leading aerospace companies—Aerojet Rocketdyne, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Orbital ATK and Raytheon Company—and the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration are working together to share the exciting story of America’s current efforts in the development of new rockets, engines, crew capsules, astronaut training programs and deep space science that will reveal valuable discoveries and transport humans to other planets.

As a result of this collaboration, Super Bowl LIVE will host a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience for all visitors to enjoy.

Take the virtual tour:
http://www.housuperbowl.com/wow-factor-preview
 
Virtual Reality ‘Journey to Mars’
A major highlight of the public exhibition area within Future Flight will be a new interactive ride taking visitors on their own “Journey to Mars.” Participants will be able to use virtual reality (VR) headsets for a one-of-a-kind thrill ride, transporting them from mission training to a simulated launch to Mars and returning them to the center of the action—the 50-yard-line of the championship game. The ride is a unique mix of space-themed VR with the very real experience of lifting off on a 90-foot tower and a heart-racing drop back to Earth’s surface. Be sure to check out the ride.
Wow Factor exhibit 

At Johnson Space Center
With thousands of football fans and celebrities and professional athletes descending on Houston, you can bet there will be a surge of visitors to JSC and its visitor center, Space Center Houston.
 
JSC’s External Relations Office (ERO) has worked extensively with the Super Bowl Host Committee and community partners for the past two years to properly plan for and safely accommodate and maximize this truly global opportunity. As the game draws closer, ERO has engaged with nearly every office on center to brainstorm ideas, refine approaches and collaborate on implementing this multi-faceted effort in showcasing NASA’s accomplishments and futuristic plans.
 
ERO, in collaboration with other center directorates, is working with major media to accommodate numerous filming requests. ESPN, NFL Network and FOX Sports, as well as other top-tier media outlets, are already planning for coverage from JSC. When able, PAO will advise of special programming via JSC Today notices so you can catch NASA being featured during this exciting time.
 
Likewise, our Protocol and Celebrity Engagement teams are working to host the many dignitaries, business leaders, professional athletes and entertainment celebrities coming to town and visiting the center for human spaceflight.  
 
With this in mind, please know some JSC facilities will have tour restrictions at peak times during the lead-up to Super Bowl. Please stay tuned to JSC Today for announcements regarding special hours or restrictions, or you can contact the Protocol Office with questions regarding tours during January and February.
 
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
 
Employee Engagement
On Jan. 26, sport your favorite team jersey or T-shirt and join fellow JSC team members on the front steps of Building 1 for a “spirited” group photo.
 
Afterward, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., celebrate Super Bowl LI at a Tailgate Party unlike any other at both cafés in Buildings 3 and 11. While there, enjoy tailgate-style fare for purchase, games like corn hole (for fun), as well as competitive football toss matchups. Live music will be at Building 3, while Building 11 will feature a DJ.
 
But what you’ll really not want to miss are former NFL player autograph sessions from noon to 1 p.m. — again at Buildings 3 and 11. No matter which location you choose, you will get your fill of football, fandom and entertainment.
 
Continue to monitor JSC Today for event updates, including a football trivia contest, rules for the football toss competition and updated information about player autograph sessions.
 
Social Media
JSC and NASA’s social media team are working to maximize this opportunity by engaging with the online communities on social media. Be sure to join the conversation by following #SpaceBowl.
 
We’ll have lots of great content and opportunities to highlight the parallels of human space exploration with sports in the weeks to come. In the meantime, you can learn about the five things space and football have in common while you formulate your plans leading up to Super Bowl LI. 
 
Fox NFL Sunday sportscasters prerecord content for Super Bowl LI at Ellington Field. Image Credit: NASA