Flint, MI – January 10, 2018 – Opening January 20, Be The Astronaut will transform a Sloan Museum gallery into a futuristic environment where visitors can choose their own space adventures. In this new exhibit, visitors will plan and pilot their own missions using videogame interfaces and hands-on command centers. At the same time, Longway Planetarium will open Space School, sponsored by ITC, a new show that explores how astronauts train for space missions in extreme underwater environments. This Cosmic Combo experience will close May 13. Cosmic Combo tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $9 for youth ages 2-11. Tickets can be purchased at SloanMuseum.org and at the door.

Be The Astronaut is a traveling exhibit by Eureka Exhibits, and was developed in collaboration with a panel of advisors in related fields who care about humanity’s future in space. The result is a unique experience that has been scientifically verified by experts at NASA for accuracy and feasibility. Be The Astronaut uses touch-screen stations and interactive simulator pods that look like space capsules to teach visitors about the concepts, challenges, and excitement of spaceflight.

Be The Astronaut: Plan and Pilot Your Own Missions
As they plan their missions, visitors can choose to explore the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, the asteroid belt, and deep space. They’ll journey through virtual re-creations built directly from NASA space probe data. Visitors will also choose the spacecraft they’ll pilot on their missions: an interplanetary spaceship, a lander, or a rover. These futuristic vehicles are scientifically plausible, all designed with assistance and oversight from NASA’s Langley Research Facility.

Mission Cycles
To complete a mission, visitors cycle through three stations: NAV, SCI, and FLY. Visitors can journey through multiple cycles to experience all available missions in the exhibit. A magnetic Astronaut ID card tracks visitors’ progress, allowing them to proceed through the exhibit’s adventure at their own pace.