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Take
a Walk On Mars:
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New Destination:
Mars Experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
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Technology developed
by Microsoft and
NASA’s Jet Propulsion
Lab brings visitors to the next frontier
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Cape
Canaveral, FL – September 2016 / Newsmaker Alert / A walk on Mars may
be in the future for astronauts, but at Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex, guests don’t have to wait. A new, limited-time
attraction Destination:
Mars, which opened Monday (Sept. 19), makes it possible to “walk on
Mars” using real imagery from NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover brought to life
by Microsoft HoloLens, the world’s first self-contained holographic computer
running Windows 10. Presented exclusively by Kennedy Space Center Visitor
Complex, the experience will be located in a pop-up theater and will only
be available through January 1, 2017.
“The
opportunity to get up close and personal with a walk on Mars is so exciting
and we can’t wait for our guests to experience the thrill of it,” said
Therrin Protze, chief operating officer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
“We’re particularly honored to offer Destination: Mars, as it is exclusive
to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, offering our guests an experience
they can’t have anywhere else: a real look into NASA’s work on Mars.”
Developed
by NASA’s
Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) and Microsoft
HoloLens, Destination: Mars will give guests the opportunity to “visit”
several sites on Mars using real imagery from NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover.
A holographic Buzz Aldrin will guide guests to Mars in mixed reality using
Microsoft HoloLens (Mixed reality means that virtual elements are merged
with the user’s actual environment, creating a world in which real and
virtual objects can interact). Visitors will “follow” Buzz and Curiosity
Rover driver Erisa Hines of JPL, as they lead guests to areas of Mars where
scientists have made exciting discoveries.
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Destination:
Mars grew out of OnSight, a scientific tool created by JPL and Microsoft
currently used internationally by researchers. Scientists in different
cities can walk together across the Martian surface, discuss geological
features and plan for future exploration. The mixed reality tool allows
them to study the Red Planet in a more naturalistic way than ever before.
OnSight also helps to prepare scientists and engineers for NASA’s goal
of a manned mission to Mars.
“We’re
thrilled to partner with NASA’s JPL in enabling a whole new way for its
scientists to study Mars via Microsoft HoloLens, and now we’re excited
to finally offer the public a glimpse into NASA’s use of this transformative
technology,” said Scott Erickson, general manager, Microsoft HoloLens.
This
limited availability, timed experience is available on a first-come, first-served
basis. Reservations must be made the day of at the Destination: Mars reservation
counter.
For
more information or to book a visit to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex,
visit
www.KennedySpaceCenter.com/things-to-do/destination-mars.aspx
For
more information on Microsoft HoloLens and mixed reality: www.HoloLens.com
More
information about JPL’s use of mixed reality research tools is online at:
www.jpl.NASA.gov/news/news.php?feature=6220.
About
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S.
space program, where NASA made history and where it’s still being made.
Experience a full day or more of fun and educational activities, including
the Kennedy Space Center Tour featuring the Apollo/Saturn V Center with
an actual Saturn V moon rocket, Space Shuttle Atlantis®, Shuttle Launch
Experience®, IMAX® A Beautiful Planet 3D and Journey To Space 3D
films, Astronaut Encounter, Journey To Mars: Explorers Wanted, Science
on a Sphere, Rocket Garden, the new Cosmic Quest and many other interactive
exhibits. Opening Nov. 16, 2016, is Heroes & Legends featuring the
U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®. Only 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing times varying
by season. Admission is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children
ages 3-11. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers annual passes starting
at $75 + tax for adults and $60 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more
information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.
Follow
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Facebook,
Twitter,
YouTube,
Instagram,
Google+
and
Pinterest
About
Delaware North
Delaware
North is one of the largest privately-held hospitality and food service
companies in the world. Founded in 1915 and owned by the Jacobs family
for 100 years, Delaware North has global operations at high-profile places
such as sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, destination
resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos. In 2014, Delaware
North also acquired Patina Restaurant Group, a leader within the premium
segment of the restaurant and catering industry. Our 60,000 employee associates
are dedicated to creating special experiences one guest at a time in serving
more than a half-billion guests annually. Delaware North has annual revenue
of $3 billion in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurants and catering,
parks, resorts, gaming, and specialty retail industries. “Delaware North”
is a reference to Delaware North Companies Inc. and its affiliates and
subsidiaries, including location-specific operating entities. Learn more
about Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and food service,
at www.DelawareNorth.com.
Connect
with Delaware North on Facebook
/ LinkedIn
/ Twitter
Contacts:
Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex
Andrea
Farmer
Public
Relations Manager
321-449-4318
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