Discover what it takes to be a space explorer and Earth defender in this new special exhibition set to open March 2, 2024.
San Antonio, TX (February 20, 2024) – A new, out-of-this-world exhibition brings a whole space lab full of scientific discovery and fun to the Witte Museum. Experience life as an astronaut, see real NASA artifacts—including the flight suit worn by Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to go to space—and learn how scientists are defending Earth from future asteroid impacts. Surviving Space: Astronauts & Asteroids, presented by PNC Bank, is on display March 2 through September 2, 2024 in the Kathleen and Curtis Gunn Gallery.
“Surviving Space highlights how innovation helps us thrive in even the most challenging environments,” said Dirk Elmendorf, CEO & President of the Witte Museum. “Experience the excitement of being an astronaut and learn about the revolutionary space science research that’s happening right here in San Antonio. Come spark your curiosity as you experience the wonders of space in this exciting new exhibition.”
Surviving Space: Astronauts & Asteroids begins by exploring what happens when mysterious objects from space collide with Earth. Travel back 66 million years to the time when Cretaceous Texas had a front-row seat to the arrival of a massive meteorite that wiped out 75% of all life on Earth, ending the reign of the dinosaurs. The evidence of this and other impact sites is displayed alongside the featured work of the Southwest Research Institute, where San Antonio scientists are working with NASA to learn how to divert asteroids in space—hoping to avoid any future colossal collisions.
Next, visitors will have fun exploring the physical and mental challenges involved in space exploration. Experience g-force, conduct maintenance on a space station, grow a space garden and learn the realities of showering, sleeping and using the toilet in space. The hands-on Astronaut activities were built in the Scitech workshop in Perth, Australia and produced by Imagine Exhibitions.
As you adventure through the exhibition, explore interesting objects from Earth and space. See authentic NASA artifacts from Space Center Houston, such as a Mars rover model and authentic flight suits. Examine meteorite shards from impact craters, get hands on with tektites and view Libyan Desert Glass, a rare impactite likely created 29 million years ago by the powerful heat of a meteor.
Tom Zaller, Imagine Exhibitions CEO, shared: “Imagine Exhibitions is proud to partner with Scitech to bring this exhibition to the Witte Museum. For decades, the scientific, technological and engineering challenges of space exploration have captured our imaginations. Surviving Space: Astronauts & Asteroids allows visitors to not only imagine life as a cosmic explorer, but to actually experience the incredible ways that humans survive in outer space.”
The Witte Museum hosts special exhibitions from throughout the world to inspire the community through the latest science and discovery. Upcoming exhibitions, in addition to Surviving Space: Astronauts & Asteroids, include Sharks and Spiders, both from the Australian Museum. Explore even more with the Witte’s new Plus, Explorer and Voyager memberships, which feature an entire year of unlimited, free access to special exhibitions. Memberships can be purchased at WitteMuseum.org/Membership.
This exhibition is created by Scitech Discovery Centre, Perth, Australia and produced by Imagine Exhibitions, Inc.
Surviving Space: Astronauts & Asteroids at the Witte Museum is presented by PNC Bank and is generously supported by the Jeanie Rabke Wyatt Family Foundation and the Mary Pat and Michael Bolner Exhibition Endowment Fund.
