Explore JPL: Celebrating 90 Years of Space Exploration
Event Overview
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is opening its doors for a two-day open house event to celebrate its 90th anniversary, providing a unique opportunity for pre-ticketed visitors to explore the technology and facilities that have pushed the boundaries of space exploration.
Event Details
- Dates: Saturday and Sunday
- Time: 9:30 AM – 4 PM
- Location: JPL Campus at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains
- Admission: Free, but tickets have already been distributed as of August 29.
What to Expect
Visitors will experience various exhibits and learn about the exciting missions and technologies developed at JPL. The event will include:
- Displays of spacecraft models, including the Perseverance Mars rover and Voyager spacecraft.
- Robotics showcases, featuring autonomous lunar rovers and search-and-rescue robots.
- Access to the Space Flight Operations Facility, a National Historic Landmark, where commands are sent and data received from distant spacecraft.
- An inside look at the Spacecraft Assembly Facility and the JPL Machine Shop, where precision components for robotic spacecraft are manufactured.
- Opportunities to explore four themed areas:
- Missions That Changed the World
- Moon to Mars
- In Flight
- Makerspace
Additionally, visitors can tour the Microdevices Laboratory, where cutting-edge miniature technologies for space exploration are developed.
A Brief History
JPL’s roots trace back to 1936 with research in rocket propulsion. The laboratory was integral to the launch of Explorer 1, the first U.S. satellite, in 1958, and has since managed numerous missions including those to Mars and beyond.
Virtual Tours
For those unable to attend in person, a virtual tour of JPL is available here.
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Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
