New Horizons
New Horizons is an intense over-night program that includes a guided Museum tour through the history of the U.S. Human Spaceflight program and beyond, a hands-on solar system exploration lab and many other structured science and space based activities.
You'll also tour our Rocket Park, watch a Spacedome IMAX ® movie, see the only fully-assembled space shuttle on display, have the chance to experience some of the forces of spaceflight with our G-Force Accelerator and Space Shot attractions or, for younger groups, tackle the Kids Cosmos and Mars Simulator!
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the New Horizons Program
Please call 1-800-63-SPACE, select the first option and enter Ext 5517 to Register.
1-Night Stay
Grades 1-8
Cost: $99 per participant, includes 4 meals and housing in the Space Camp Habitats
(off-site hotel package available for $124.00 per participant )
One Chaperone is admitted free with every 25 students booked
A $150.00 non-refundable registration fee is needed
when booking your reservation.
This $150.00 fee is not applied to your booking.
Local transportation may be available at additional cost, please inquire when making your reservation.
Linens are not included (If arriving by air, sheets, blankets, pillows and pillowcases will be provided.) Please bring sleeping bags, towels and other overnight necessities.
All New Horizons labs and demonstrations teach the scientific method using age-appropriate lab safety standards. Programs for K-12 correlate to the Alabama Course of Study as well as the National Science Education Standards and are designed to motivate, excite, and inspire young minds.
WELCOME
Get ready for excitement in learning during your two-day, one-night New Horizons adventure. The New Horizons program is customized for large group learning. Our staff has created specific programs and lessons to suit these needs. The activities described below are just a few of the experiences you may encounter during your stay with us.
HISTORY
From the past to present, you will have a one hour briefing on the History of our space programs. During this briefing, team leaders will inform trainees of the innovators who came up with the first ideas of sending man into space, the integral role that Huntsville has played in the space program, and the journeys we have made through the years. You will hear about the progress that has been made in the past fifty years and where the space program is today.
MUSEUM EXPLORATION
Trainees will not only gain great knowledge of the space program, but will also have the opportunity to see it first hand in our Smithsonian accredited museum. Original artifacts such as the Apollo 16 capsule, original spacesuits, and actual rockets are displayed in the museum and in Rocket Park. Activities have been developed to allow trainees to see as much as possible in a fun and energetic environment.
MUSEUM HUNT: This is a wonderful scavenger hunt. Trainees will compete to see who can gather the most facts in the museum. The winners will receive the title of "Space Buff" and can now go home to show off their newfound knowledge.
ROCKET PARK: Our Counselors will guide trainees through a tour of actual rockets and allow trainees to see up close and personal how big rockets have to be to send a man to space.
IMAX®: Get an astronaut's view of the Earth as you watch an IMAX® movie on our spectacular 67-foot domed screen in the Spacedome IMAX® Theater. This screen fills your entire field of vision with an awe-inspiring, "you are there," experience.
3-D Movie: You will get an awesome experience in our brand new 3-D Movie theater in our New Davidson Space & Exploration Center Building that now houses the newly restored SATURN V Rocket.
NEW HORIZONS LAB
Explore the solar system along with the New Horizons Probe's mission to Pluto during this hands-on lab session. How do we find new objects? Does that object have an atmosphere? How was that object formed? What can we learn about an object when it is too far out for humans to travel there? Some of these questions will be answered during the one hour, age appropriate lab session.
PAPER ROCKET ACTION/REACTION ACTIVITY
Each person in your group will build their own paper rocket. Tools and supplies are provided. After each person builds their rocket then they will be launched several feet in to the air. You can add to the fun by having a contest to see whose rocket will go up the farthest.
SIMULATIONS
Astronauts undergo many months, even years of simulation training before they are ever allowed to fly in space. Trainees will be allowed to experience a small dose of this in our museum.
Olympus Mons Mining Colony : Test your strength, agility and endurance by scaling the crater of the largest volcano in the solar system. Experience what it will be like to live and work on Mars at the 25-foot-high climbing wall. Accommodating climbers of all levels, the climbing wall is fun for all ages. There is a 50 pound minimum and 300 pound maximum weight for this activity.
Mars Simulator: Hang on for a simulated ride as you join a crew on Mars. This is a thrilling simulated ride that takes you to a Martian theme park.
Space Shot: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, LIFT-OFF! Space Shot is a 15-second space flight that will launch you 140 feet straight up in 2.5 seconds. Trainees will experience a real lift-off with 4G's and then become weightless for 2-3 seconds.
**NOTE** -Must be 54" tall to ride. Space Shot cannot operate in high winds, rain or temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
G-Force Accelerator: Understand how an astronaut feels at lift-off when you experience three times your body weight (3G's) on the G-Force Accelerator. A large room will spin to create the G forces and as the speed increases, you will actually rise up in your seat.
**NOTE**-Must be 48" tall to ride. G-Force must close for 20 minutes for each lightening or thunder strike.
PLEASE NOTE... All simulators may be cancelled or rescheduled due to safety and/or weather conditions. We are not responsible for any activities missed due to weather or technical problems. People with certain medical conditions (including, but not limited to: nausea, vertigo, epilepsy, high or low blood pressure, heart problems, claustrophobia, or pregnancy) may not be able to participate in certain simulators or the IMAX® movie. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is now affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute and will have different exhibits displayed periodically.
