TSM Reaches a New Pinnacle at Griffith Observatory

To the right of the great front doors sits TSM’s Orion CRV Flight Simulator. (All photos by Karen Lau)

Space education in Los Angeles Ca. reached new heights when the Traveling Space Museum was invited to display interactive exhibits at the newly renovated Griffith Observatory on a blustery April 12th of 2007.

"Each year on April 12th, celebrations are held around the world to commemorate the anniversary of that first historic human spaceflight flight [of Yuri Gagarin] writes Observatory Curator, Dr. Laura Danly in the "Griffith Observer" (Sept. 2007). "At Griffith Observatory, "Yuri’s Night" was celebrated with education programs for our school field trip students and for the general public. By 10:00 a.m., the front lawn was filled with telescopes exhibits from local aerospace companies, robotic demonstrations from high school robotics teams and an interactive Space Shuttle model and even a model space toilet courtesy of Ivor’s Traveling Space Museum."

The Orion Crew Return Vehicle on Griffith Observatory’s Front Lawn.

TSM President Ivor Dawson demonstrates TSM’s Space Toilet under the "Hollywood" sign.

TSM invites students to "have a seat" and see what it’s like to live and work in space!

Atop the Hollywood Hills and under the shadow of the famous "Hollywood" sign, the Space Shuttle Waste Containment System (Space Toilet) simulation was set up next to a monument and bust dedicated to the memory of the iconic film actor James Dean. For many people, the Griffith Observatory is best known for its ‘starring role’ in the 1955 film classic: "Rebel Without a Cause."

While many looked down on the city below, several hundred grade school students, on a field trip, were invited to sit inside the space toilet simulation. The brave ones sat down and buckled up to personally experience exactly how astronauts go to the bathroom in space! Students were also invited to ride a space shuttle flight simulation. The Orion flight simulator is the only one of its kind that travels to schools across the country!

Gary Velligan runs the half-ton Orion flight sim while students (above and below) look on.

You’d expect young school students to enjoy operating the half-ton ‘space ship’ simulation that is Orion. Even Gordon Fullerton, an early Space Shuttle Commander, had a ball ‘piloting’ Orion! What might surprise many is the fact that many of the students on the field trip choose the Space Shuttle Toilet as their favorite attraction in Griffith Park! The toilet simulation’s loud vacuum action delivers a real flushing sensation, which catches many an unsuspecting student by complete surprise. The effect is one of shock and amazement which makes for a thrilling and most memorable experience!

Traveling Space Museum’s appearance at Griffith Observatory was made possible by a grant by the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA) Los Angeles Section under the auspices of Yuri’s Night– LA, Dr. Laura Danly, Griffith Observatory and the City of Los Angeles Dept. of Parks and Recreation.

TSM thanks Phil Cojanis of AIAA —LA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) for helping to make this appearance possible. Many thanks also to Dean Davis of AIAA—LA, who champions TSM Space Day events at South Bay middle schools.

TSM’s appearance at Griffith Park could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship with the City of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation. Plans are underway for Space Day shows at City Parks around Los Angeles beginning in Central LA in the fall of 2008. Informal science education may never be the same!