Columbia Memorial Space Science and Learning Center To Be
Built
The seven crew-members of the
Columbia Space Shuttle who lost their lives four years ago,
February 1, 2003, will be honored with a Space Science and Learning
Center to be built in Downey, CA.
Both Houses of Congress passed a resolution in October 2004,
naming Downey, CA, the home of the Columbia Memorial Space Science
and Learning Center. The Center's building contract was awarded to
Tower General Contractors, Los Angeles, CA.
On Columbia's 28th mission, STS-107, on February 1, 2003, the
crew and vehicle were tragically lost during an uncontrolled
re-entry.
Seven crew members lost their lives: Rick D. Husband, Commander;
William C. McCool, Pilot; Michael P. Anderson, Payload Commander;
David M. Brown, Mission Specialist 1; Kalpana Chawla, Mission
Specialist 2; Laurel Blair Salton Clark, Mission Specialist 4; and
Ilan Ramon, Payload Specialist.
The City of Downey has been the site of aviation ingenuity and
achievement since 1929, featuring large scale aircraft
manufacturing, missile design and development, and ultimately, the
design and production of the Apollo command and service modules
during the lunar program and development and production of the
Space Shuttle Orbiters.
"In 1999, when the Downey NASA Plant closed, the City of Downey
began a redevelopment effort, including an educational component,"
said Rick Trejo, City of Downey mayor. "The construction of the
Columbia Memorial Space Science and Learning Center is the
culmination of our efforts to preserve Downey's 70-year legacy of
aviation and aerospace history through space science education
programs."
"The memorial will provide a way to extract something positive
from the Columbia disaster," he added.
Funding partners, according to the Center's Web site include
NASA, the City of Downey, and Financial Partners Credit Union.
Program partners include NASA, NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Los
Angeles County Office of Education, Aerospace Legacy Foundation,
Honeywell Challenger Learning Center at California State
University, Dominquez Hills, and the City of Downey.
As well as honoring the memory of the Columbia Space Shuttle
crew -- American heroes who died in service to their country -- the
Center will serve as a tribute to the people who have worked in the
aviation and aerospace industry in Downey over seven decades.
Additionally, Center leaders have an educational mission of
enhancing space science knowledge and scientific literacy.
"We are pleased to have been selected to construct this
distinguished building, which memorializes those who gave their
lives for the exploration of space," said Alex Guerrero, executive
vice president of Tower General Contractors. "The Center will
educate future generations about science and aerospace making it a
living tribute to their memory, while educating the next generation
of astronauts."
The 18,000-square foot facility, expected to be completed early
next year, will include active student learning experiences in
various aspects of aerospace, including:
- The Challenger Learning Center, which will feature a simulated
space mission that will test participants' decision-making
skills.
- A Space Science Discovery Zone where visitors will use
interactive exhibits to explore principles of flight, living in
space, the search for life beyond earth, and the origins of the
universe.
- The Mars Robotics Lab will allow visitors to design and program
their own robots in order to complete a remote exploration mission
to the planet Mars.
- Historical displays will tell the story of the men and women
who contributed to the spirit of invention and innovation that led
to the development of the aviation and aerospace industry in
Downey, Southern California, and propelled the US to a leadership
role in space exploration.
The architecture for the Center reflects the aspiration and the
ambitions of the astronauts and mankind traveling to space. It is a
dynamic form propelling itself forward and upward, expressive of
the confident optimism that drove a century of aviation and space
exploration achievement. Arquitectonica is is providing the
architecture and interior design for the facility.
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