Join us for a day devoted to space, featuring two special access tours of research facilities right here in Maryland. We’ll start our day by meeting up in our Museum parking lot, where we’ll catch our chartered bus. We’ll let the driver dodge the morning traffic as we travel to our first stop, the Space Systems Laboratory located on the University of Maryland campus in College Park. After a two-hour tour there, we’ll drive a short distance to the NASA Goddard facility, where we’ll eat a picnic lunch, then tour three buildings on their campus. We’ll head back on the bus to the Museum after that tour, full of good science facts and renewed love of space.
The Space Systems Laboratory centers around the Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility, a 50-foot-diameter, 25-foot-deep water tank used to simulate the microgravity environment of space. This is the only such facility in the world housed at a university, and is used primarily for student research at the Lab. Current research at the Lab includes space robotics, human factors, applications of artificial intelligence, and the underlying fundamentals of space simulation. Systems being tested include Ranger, a four-armed satellite-repair robot, and EUCLID, a 6-degree-of-freedom, free-flying underwater camera platform. Other current projects include the MX suits, simplified spacesuits for use in EVA research; Exo-SPHERES, a prototype satellite for inspection missions; and DYMAFLEX, a lightweight, high-performance manipulator developed for controls testing in a highly coupled dynamic environment.
At NASA Goddard, we’ll first go through security clearance, and once we are badged, we will gather for a short presentation to learn about the facility’s current projects and those in development. From there, we will board the bus to drive to Building 29, where we will learn more about space telescopes and NASA’s next space telescope project, the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope. We’ll view a model of the Roman spacecraft and also learn about the James Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes. The tour will then move upstairs to view the Goddard Clean Room, NASA’s largest clean room. From this observation area, we will hear more about the satellite assembly process and should be able to see satellite components being worked on by NASA scientists and technicians.
Next on the tour are Buildings 7 and 10, the Integration and Testing facility. Walking along a second-floor catwalk, we’ll view smaller clean room areas and additional satellite components and projects. We’ll learn about various cryovac chambers that are used in satellite testing, a vibration test bed, and the Space Environment Simulator. At various points along the walkway, the guide will stop and explain what we are seeing and why the testing process is so important to the success of NASA missions.
SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS and RULES for SSL and Goddard
- Everyone will need to pass a security clearance to enter the facilities.
- Your name will be submitted a week before our tour, and you will need to present to security at the door:
- For those over the age of 16, a valid government-issued REAL ID-compliant ID (e.g., a driver’s license).
- Children aged 16 and 17 need a school ID with a photo.
- Children aged 13 to 15 do not need an ID; however, their adult must meet all the above requirements.
- No children under 13 allowed on this trip. No more than two children per adult.
- Current Green Card for lawful Permanent Residents
- Know your ID. NHSM is not responsible if your ID is non-compliant and admittance is refused at the door.
- No foreign nationals allowed on this trip.
- Closed-toe shoes are required for all ages. All tours involve extensive standing and walking. Heels and sandals are not permitted. Tennis shoes are recommended.
- Visitors must remain with their escort at all times and must also wear their badge above their waist for the duration of the tour.
- Photos allowed in main observation areas only. The guide will give specific instructions regarding photos and videos.
- Backpacks, bags, large purses, and briefcases are not permitted in the tour locations and must remain on the bus.
- Badges MUST be returned to the tour guide at the conclusion of the tour.
- Due to federal security restrictions, Goddard reserves the right to cancel our tour of the facility at any time, though every effort will be made to reschedule or provide an alternate program at the Visitor Center. All vehicles and bags are also subject to search at any time.
TOUR SPECIFICS for NHSM
- Our meeting location will be included in your registration confirmation email once payment is completed.
- Watch for additional details in a welcome email sent a few days before the date.
- Remember that closed-toe shoes are required for entry.
- Bring water, a picnic lunch, and snacks. We will picnic at Goddard in a shady area before our tour. Food will not be available for purchase during the tour.
- Not that our return time is an estimate based on usual traffic conditions at that time of the day. Do not plan any activity after this trip that is time-dependent on our arrival at 430 pm.
All events are held rain or shine. If any event is canceled due to severe weather, you will receive an email or text. If you do not receive a weather-related email, the trip will proceed as planned.
Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made 14 or more days before the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $25 or less are non-refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.
For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.
Registration
Levels:-
NHSM Member: $85
Guests must be NHSM members, also. - Non Member: $100