Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne to fund new exhibit at U.S. Space & Rocket Center®
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
HUNTSVILLE, AL - Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne president Jim Maser announced today the funding of a major new exhibit in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
The exhibit, called "The Force", will feature rocket engines crucial to the United States landing men on the moon, including the F-1, the J-2, the RL-10 and the H-1. All engines are products of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. The display will also feature one of the company's newest rocket engines, the J-2X, which will be used in the Ares Program as part of America's effort to return to the moon.
"The Force will enable guests to learn about, experience, and appreciate the crucial importance of propulsion in the story of the Saturn V," according to USSRC CEO Larry Capps. He adds, "We'll show the process by which the Saturn V's engines were conceived and developed, the nature of their propellants, and the results: the mightiest rocket the world has ever seen."
Designed to be an interactive exhibit, visitors will be able to step into a test bunker to experience first hand the roar and vibration of a giant F-1 rocket engine, like those used on the first stage of the Saturn V. Additional video presentations will illustrate various rocket fuels - their compositions, a comparison of liquid and solid rocket fuels, and the crucial introduction of liquid hydrogen. Actual rocket engines will help to complete the exhibit.
Sponsorship of "The Force" represents a $400,000 commitment to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Earlier this year, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne funded a science cart for the museum, enabling museum staff to do public experiments illustrating propulsion. It is currently one of the most popular attractions within the Davidson Center.
"We want to express our sincere thanks to Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne and to its president, Jim Maser, for this very generous contribution to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center," Capps said. "We believe their exhibit will become a focal point for visitors touring the Davidson Center."
