Destination Station brings the future to historic Philadelphia
2015-06-25
Demonstrating that that cheese steak isn’t the only popular game in town, NASA’s Destination Station outreach campaign descended on one of America’s oldest cities, Philadelphia, from June 16 to 20 to show off International Space Station (ISS) benefits to humanity and garner additional research interest for the orbiting laboratory.
Through a continuing partnership with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the first stop for Destination Station was the BIO International Convention, which included about 15,000 exhibitors and attendees in the three-day visit. While the Driven to Explore (DTE) mobile exhibit dazzled crowds eager to absorb the latest investigative research to be found on the racks aboard space station, ISS Program experts exposed professionals from life science, biotech and pharmaceutical companies interested in furthering their research about the endless possibilities in space. On the second day of the convention, about 3,000 CEOs, CTOs and researchers lived the excitement of space station through astronaut Scott Kelly’s live downlink from the microgravity hotbed in low-Earth orbit. CASIS also met with more than 50 potential partners eager to take their science experiments to the next level.
Day three was a busy day for building relationships, and Nerd Nite at Frankford Hall brought a millennial vibe to the outreach campaign. The pub-like atmosphere allowed spectators to relax and hang out with NASA experts and learn about our ISS National Laboratory, spacesuits and 50 years of American spacewalking history. Astronaut Rick Mastracchio and Spacesuit Engineer Mallory Jennings presented to more than 175 people, and Mastracchio and remained to sign autographs during the meet-and-greet opportunity.
Johnson Space Center’s Legislative Affairs joined in on the action for the fourth day of activities, meeting with three local legislative offices. U.S. representative for Pennsylvania’s 2nd congressional district Chaka Fattah met with JSC and CASIS representatives to discuss medical and neuroscience research being performed aboard station. Fattah, also a member of the subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies, has served in office since 1995 and is a self-proclaimed big supporter of NASA’s exploration programs.
While legislators learned more about station, the public cheered on the orbiting test bed at ISS Day at the Franklin Institute. In total, more than 800 students and visitors experienced the space station in some way, whether through presentations by Mastracchio and Jennings, the DTE exhibit or hands-on activities like building a personalized “flat astronaut.”
Before the sun set on Day 4, Mastracchio tossed the ceremonial first pitch at the Philadelphia Phillies vs. the St. Louis Cardinals baseball games. While at the game, the ISS story was visually displayed with the DTE and spacesuit exhibit. Mastracchio also conveyed the bigger picture of Earthly benefits to a wider audience through media interviews.
Destination Station remained wildly popular even on its last day at Macy’s Center City. Jennings gave standing-room-only crowds three presentations celebrating not only the historical significance of the spacesuit and its necessity in constructing one of the greatest engineering marvels ever conceived, but the momentous work being done “Off the Earth, For the Earth.”
The outreach campaign isn’t done yet. In July, Destination Station will go to another historic American city—Boston—to spread the news about the very exciting future that NASA has in store.
Catherine Ragin Williams
NASA Johnson Space Center
Through a continuing partnership with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the first stop for Destination Station was the BIO International Convention, which included about 15,000 exhibitors and attendees in the three-day visit. While the Driven to Explore (DTE) mobile exhibit dazzled crowds eager to absorb the latest investigative research to be found on the racks aboard space station, ISS Program experts exposed professionals from life science, biotech and pharmaceutical companies interested in furthering their research about the endless possibilities in space. On the second day of the convention, about 3,000 CEOs, CTOs and researchers lived the excitement of space station through astronaut Scott Kelly’s live downlink from the microgravity hotbed in low-Earth orbit. CASIS also met with more than 50 potential partners eager to take their science experiments to the next level.
Day three was a busy day for building relationships, and Nerd Nite at Frankford Hall brought a millennial vibe to the outreach campaign. The pub-like atmosphere allowed spectators to relax and hang out with NASA experts and learn about our ISS National Laboratory, spacesuits and 50 years of American spacewalking history. Astronaut Rick Mastracchio and Spacesuit Engineer Mallory Jennings presented to more than 175 people, and Mastracchio and remained to sign autographs during the meet-and-greet opportunity.
Johnson Space Center’s Legislative Affairs joined in on the action for the fourth day of activities, meeting with three local legislative offices. U.S. representative for Pennsylvania’s 2nd congressional district Chaka Fattah met with JSC and CASIS representatives to discuss medical and neuroscience research being performed aboard station. Fattah, also a member of the subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies, has served in office since 1995 and is a self-proclaimed big supporter of NASA’s exploration programs.
While legislators learned more about station, the public cheered on the orbiting test bed at ISS Day at the Franklin Institute. In total, more than 800 students and visitors experienced the space station in some way, whether through presentations by Mastracchio and Jennings, the DTE exhibit or hands-on activities like building a personalized “flat astronaut.”
Before the sun set on Day 4, Mastracchio tossed the ceremonial first pitch at the Philadelphia Phillies vs. the St. Louis Cardinals baseball games. While at the game, the ISS story was visually displayed with the DTE and spacesuit exhibit. Mastracchio also conveyed the bigger picture of Earthly benefits to a wider audience through media interviews.
Destination Station remained wildly popular even on its last day at Macy’s Center City. Jennings gave standing-room-only crowds three presentations celebrating not only the historical significance of the spacesuit and its necessity in constructing one of the greatest engineering marvels ever conceived, but the momentous work being done “Off the Earth, For the Earth.”
The outreach campaign isn’t done yet. In July, Destination Station will go to another historic American city—Boston—to spread the news about the very exciting future that NASA has in store.
Catherine Ragin Williams
NASA Johnson Space Center
Astronaut Rick Mastracchio talks about his time aboard the International Space Station to visitors at the BIO International Conference in Philadelphia.
Spacesuit Engineer Mallory Jennings speaks to nerds and geeks alike about spacesuits during a Nerd Nite Philly gathering at Frankford Hall.
Guests of The Franklin Institute show off their astronaut creations as part of ISS Day. Activities included an astronaut craft, vertical jump and presentations by Jennings and Mastracchio.
Philadelphia Phillies fans stop by to learn more about space station.
Mastracchio waves to Philadelphia Phillies fans before throwing the game’s ceremonial first pitch.