Jump to content

Space Camp (United States): Difference between revisions

Edit links
Coordinates: 34°42′41″N 86°39′15″W / 34.71139°N 86.65417°W / 34.71139; -86.65417
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Changed some minor punctuations and removed sentences which was irrelevant to the topic
clean up, replaced: Navy → Navy, typo(s) fixed: Center → center
Line 60: Line 60:


=== Space Camp Florida ===
=== Space Camp Florida ===
Space Camp Florida opened in 1988 and shared facilities with the [[Astronaut Hall of Fame]] in [[Titusville, Florida|Titusville]], [[Florida]], both of which were operated by the now-defunct U.S. Space Camp Foundation. The Space Camp facility closed in 2002 due to low attendance, leading to financial difficulties. About 50,000 children attended the camp during its run, but in its final year, as few as 14 participants filled 276 slots.<ref>{{cite news|title=Titusville, Fla., Space Camp's Mission Is to Remain Open.|date=14 September 2002|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel | first=Laurin | last=Sellers }}</ref> The Astronaut Hall of Fame was sold to the [[Delaware North]] corporation and remained open until 2015 as an added attraction to the [[Kennedy Space Center]] Visitor Complex, with several simulators previously used by the camp available to all visitors.<ref>{{cite news|title=SPACE CAMP WILL KEEP SIMULATORS, NEW OWNER SAYS|date=November 10, 2002|newspaper=The Miami Herald }}</ref> {{As of|2020}}, the building was being used by [[Lockheed Martin]] to support work on the NASA [[Orion (spacecraft)|Orion]] crew capsule.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2020/07/17/lockheed-martin-lease-former-ksc-building-nasa-orion-spacecraft-titusville/5435874002/ | title=Lockheed Martin will lease former Astronaut Hall of Fame for NASA's Orion spacecraft | publisher=Florida Today | author=Emre Kelly | date=2020-07-17 | access-date=2020-09-15}}</ref>
Space Camp Florida opened in 1988 and shared facilities with the [[Astronaut Hall of Fame]] in [[Titusville, Florida|Titusville]], [[Florida]], both of which were operated by the now-defunct U.S. Space Camp Foundation. The Space Camp facility closed in 2002 due to low attendance, leading to financial difficulties. About 50,000 children attended the camp during its run, but in its final year, as few as 14 participants filled 276 slots.<ref>{{cite news|title=Titusville, Fla., Space Camp's Mission Is to Remain Open.|date=14 September 2002|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel | first=Laurin | last=Sellers }}</ref> The Astronaut Hall of Fame was sold to the [[Delaware North]] corporation and remained open until 2015 as an added attraction to the [[Kennedy Space Center]] Visitor Complex, with several simulators previously used by the camp available to all visitors.<ref>{{cite news|title=SPACE CAMP WILL KEEP SIMULATORS, NEW OWNER SAYS|date=November 10, 2002|newspaper=The Miami Herald }}</ref> {{As of|2020}}, the building was being used by [[Lockheed Martin]] to support work on the NASA [[Orion (spacecraft)|Orion]] crew capsule.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2020/07/17/lockheed-martin-lease-former-ksc-building-nasa-orion-spacecraft-titusville/5435874002/ | title=Lockheed Martin will lease former Astronaut Hall of Fame for NASA's Orion spacecraft | publisher=Florida Today | first=Emre | last=Kelly | date=2020-07-17 | access-date=2020-09-15}}</ref>


=== Space Camp California ===
=== Space Camp California ===
Line 219: Line 219:


[[File:Aviation Challenge 2011 web logo.png|thumb|right|alt="The Triangular Aviation Challenge logo shows the silhouette of a fighter plane pointing up and the words Aviation Challenge beneath."]]
[[File:Aviation Challenge 2011 web logo.png|thumb|right|alt="The Triangular Aviation Challenge logo shows the silhouette of a fighter plane pointing up and the words Aviation Challenge beneath."]]

=== Aviation Challenge ===
=== Aviation Challenge ===
Aviation Challenge, or AC, is an umbrella branding for a set of aviation oriented camps at Space Camp, consisting of three main programs for children from ages 9–18. As an aviation oriented camp, the fundamental teaching aids are computer based flight simulators, which are intended to train attendees to fly, act, and think like [[United States Air Force]], [[Navy]] or [[Marines|Marine]] [[fighter pilot]]s.
Aviation Challenge, or AC, is an umbrella branding for a set of aviation oriented camps at Space Camp, consisting of three main programs for children from ages 9–18. As an aviation oriented camp, the fundamental teaching aids are computer based flight simulators, which are intended to train attendees to fly, act, and think like [[United States Air Force]], [[United States Navy|Navy]] or [[United States Marines|Marine]] [[fighter pilot]]s.


== Facilities ==
== Facilities ==
Line 234: Line 235:
Space Camp additionally uses rides or attractions that are on site at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center as instructional tools. The [[Space Shot (ride)|Space Shot]] simulates [[rocket launch|liftoff]], and the [[Gravitron|G-Force Accelerator]] simulates the [[G-force]]s put on [[astronaut]]s while re-entering the Earth's atmosphere or during launch.
Space Camp additionally uses rides or attractions that are on site at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center as instructional tools. The [[Space Shot (ride)|Space Shot]] simulates [[rocket launch|liftoff]], and the [[Gravitron|G-Force Accelerator]] simulates the [[G-force]]s put on [[astronaut]]s while re-entering the Earth's atmosphere or during launch.


The Intuitive Planetarium provides a venue for presenting space and science-oriented shows produced through a Digistar 7 system and 5 Christie laser projectors.<ref name="Lyons">{{Cite web |last=Lyons |first=Wes |date=2019-02-27 |title=INTUITIVE Planetarium at U.S. Space & Rocket Center Opens Thursday |url=https://sprocketeers.org/2019/02/intuitive-planetarium/ |access-date=2021-08-13 |website=Sprocketeers |language=en}}</ref> The planetarium is part of the Center's museum complex.<ref name="Intuitive">{{Cite web |date=2019-01-14 |title=INTUITIVE Planetarium |url=https://www.rocketcenter.com/intuitiveplanetarium |access-date=2021-08-13 |website=U.S. Space & Rocket Center |language=en}}</ref> In February 2019, the Intuitive Planetarium replaced the Spacedome [[IMAX]] theater, which operated at the Center since 1982.<ref name="Lyons" />
The Intuitive Planetarium provides a venue for presenting space and science-oriented shows produced through a Digistar 7 system and 5 Christie laser projectors.<ref name="Lyons">{{Cite web |last=Lyons |first=Wes |date=2019-02-27 |title=INTUITIVE Planetarium at U.S. Space & Rocket Center Opens Thursday |url=https://sprocketeers.org/2019/02/intuitive-planetarium/ |access-date=2021-08-13 |website=Sprocketeers |language=en}}</ref> The planetarium is part of the center's museum complex.<ref name="Intuitive">{{Cite web |date=2019-01-14 |title=INTUITIVE Planetarium |url=https://www.rocketcenter.com/intuitiveplanetarium |access-date=2021-08-13 |website=U.S. Space & Rocket Center |language=en}}</ref> In February 2019, the Intuitive Planetarium replaced the Spacedome [[IMAX]] theater, which operated at the Center since 1982.<ref name="Lyons" />


=== Accommodation ===
=== Accommodation ===

Revision as of 01:09, 27 December 2023

Space Camp
Habitat One (left) and Habitat Two (right) at Space Camp. Habitats house campers staying for multiple days. Campers enter through the red gate.
Space Camp is located in the United States
Space Camp
Space Camp
LocationHuntsville, Alabama, U.S.
Coordinates34°42′41″N 86°39′15″W / 34.71139°N 86.65417°W / 34.71139; -86.65417
Operated byU.S. Space & Rocket Center
Established1982 (1982)
Websitehttp://www.spacecamp.com/

Space Camp is an educational camp in Huntsville, Alabama, on the grounds of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center museum near NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.[1] It provides residential and educational programs for children and adults on topics such as space exploration, aviation, and robotics. Run by the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, a state government agency, more than 900,000 campers have graduated since 1982, including several future astronauts.[2]

History

Space Camp was founded in 1982 by Wernher von Braun and U.S. Space and Rocket Center Executive Director Edward O. Buckbee as an educational camp to promote math and science to children using United States space program as a basis. The idea for Space Camp came to von Braun in 1977 while touring the U.S. Space and Rocket Center where he noticed a group of schoolchildren taking notes on what they were learning. He said to the museum director Edward O. Huckabee, "You know, we have all these camps for youngsters in this country - band camps and cheerleader camps and football camps. Why don't we have a science camp?"[3][4]

U.S. Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Space Camp (formerly U.S. Space Camp) in Huntsville are operated by the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, which is a state agency whose members are appointed by the Governor of Alabama.

The non-profit U.S. Space & Rocket Center Foundation is a separate entity and members of its board are not appointed by the governor. It is responsible for scholarship fund-raising and the licensing of camps outside the United States. There are a number of internationally licensed Space Camps, including Space Camp Turkey, Space Camp Canada (known as "Camp Spatial" in French), and Space Camp Belgium.

Space Camp Florida

Space Camp Florida opened in 1988 and shared facilities with the Astronaut Hall of Fame in Titusville, Florida, both of which were operated by the now-defunct U.S. Space Camp Foundation. The Space Camp facility closed in 2002 due to low attendance, leading to financial difficulties. About 50,000 children attended the camp during its run, but in its final year, as few as 14 participants filled 276 slots.[5] The Astronaut Hall of Fame was sold to the Delaware North corporation and remained open until 2015 as an added attraction to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, with several simulators previously used by the camp available to all visitors.[6] As of 2020, the building was being used by Lockheed Martin to support work on the NASA Orion crew capsule.[7]

Space Camp California

Space Camp California was operated by the now defunct U.S. Space Camp Foundation at Mountain View, California from 1996 to 2002, when it closed due to financial difficulties.[8]

Space Camp Hall of Fame

The Space Camp Hall of Fame began in 2007 during the 25th-anniversary celebrations. According to the website, the hall was "designed to honor graduates, former employees and supporters who have distinguished themselves in their respective careers or made considerable in-kind contributions in an effort to help further the goals of the Space Camp program."[9]

Inductee Class
von Braun, WernherDr. Wernher von Braun 2007
Buckbee, EdEdward O. Buckbee 2007
von Tiesenhausen, GeorgDr. Georg von Tiesenhausen 2007
Oates, DanDan Oates 2007
Metcalf-Lindenburger, DorothyDorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger 2007
Rice, JamesDr. James Rice 2007
Stubblefield, AmandaAmanda Stubblefield 2007
Pettigrew, Penny J.Penny J. Pettigrew 2007
Holderer, OscarOscar Holderer[10] 2008
Maicki, MarlennMarlenn Maicki[10] 2008
Devries, LisaLisa Devries[10] 2008
Vazzo, VincentVincent Vazzo[10] 2008
Smith, PhilCaptain Phil Smith, US Air Force[10] 2008
Whitfield, JoshJosh Whitfield, US Army Ret.[10] 2008
Allan, JimJim Allan[11] 2009
Gleason, JerrySGM Jerry Gleason, US Army Ret.[11] 2009
Pearlman, RobertRobert Pearlman[11] 2009
French, FrancisFrancis French 2010
Hnyda, DavidMajor J. David Hnyda, US Army 2010
Jaques, DannyDanny R. Jaques 2010
Hanson, AndreaDr. Andrea M. Hanson 2010
Thaller, MichelleMichelle Thaller 2011
Meyers, ValerieDr. Valerie Meyers 2011
Hare, WilliamLt. Col. William Burke Hare III, USAF 2011
Abrams, StephanieStephanie Abrams 2012
Warren, LizDr. Liz Warren 2012
Van Cise, EdEd Van Cise 2012
Gibson, Robert L.Robert L. "Hoot" Gibson 2012
Tuncer, KayaKaya Tuncer 2014
Cristoforetti, SamanthaSamantha Cristoforetti 2014
Lucas, MichelleMichelle Lucas 2014
Phillips, SusannaSusanna Phillips 2015
Bierman, Elizabeth KellerElizabeth Keller Bierman 2015
Rubins, KateKate Rubins 2015
Ferdowsi, BobakBobak Ferdowsi 2015
Jason Hopkins 2016
Dr. Amy Kaminski 2016
George Whitesides 2016
SpaceCamp (1986 film) 2016
Dr. Serena Auñón 2017
Dr. Michelle Christensen 2017
Major John Hecker 2017
Dr. Jennifer Heldmann 2017
Dr. Tara Ruttley 2018
Dr. Erika Wagner 2018
Dr. Sarah Noble 2018
Tara Sweeney 2018
Mary Funk 2019
Casey Harris 2019
Christina H. Koch 2019
Beth Moses 2019

Programs

Program names are used to define the age or focus group for which the specific program targets, with Space Camp referring to both a camp program and the parent organization. The camp offers programs for various ages and durations of visits. The majority of attendees visit during the summer, though spring and fall often see many school group visits, parent and child bonding camps, and adult or corporate programs.[12]

Space Camp is a six-day program offered for children between 9 and 11 years old. The curriculum is designed to balance education and entertainment. Children enrolling in Space Camp can choose from one of three "tracks" of activities and study: space, aviation, and robotics. Space Camp was the first of the camp programs offered, and is used as the umbrella organization name.

The Space Shuttle Pathfinder is a Space Shuttle simulator based at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Space Academy is a program intended for ages 12–14, offered in six-day sessions.

Advanced Space Academy is designed for 15 to 18-year-olds. The program was originally known as Space Academy Level II and was started in the Fall of 1987. In 1987 the Space Academy Level II program was college accredited (1 hour) through the University of Alabama Huntsville. It also offered programs for adults as the first class to go through Level II were adults. The Family Camp[13] program allows parents or guardians to attend Space Camp with their child aged 7–12 years. The program is run throughout the year, lasts three to four days, and includes activities in which the adult and child work together. Family Camp also has an Aviation Challenge option, designed for children and their accompanying adults, offered during the summer months.

Advanced Space Academy Elite is offered to graduates of the Advanced Space Academy program and has several exclusive features, such as scuba diving. Additionally, Space Camp has previously offered a twelve-day Advanced Space Academy program that includes features such as multiple missions, scuba diving, use of some of the Aviation Challenge facilities, and a twenty-four-hour extended duration mission.

Scholarships

Space Camp offers scholarships for children who have disabilities, academic talent, leadership skills, or financial needs or other disadvantages.[14]

SCI-VIS

In cooperation with teachers of visually impaired students, Space Camp operates a week-long Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students by providing the same experience to visually impaired students as sighted students. Adaptations are made to the computer systems campers use in activities and simulations to provide speech and large print output. Adapted materials, including handbooks translated in Braille and equipment, are used during the camp.

Deaf Space Camp[15]

In cooperation with teachers, Space Camp operates a week-long program for deaf and hard-of-hearing students by providing the same experience to hearing-impaired students as hearing students. Communication is supported by a dedicated team of American Sign Language interpreters as well as through visual and written media. To allow equal access to the audio of films, most museum & camp movies have open or closed captions including the theater, which provides a rear-window captioning system. To replace microphone or headset technology, students use live stream video between mission control and the shuttle simulator.

In addition to participating in typical camp activities and simulations, students often have the opportunity to meet and interact with deaf adults who work in science-related fields and learn about the many contributions deaf individuals [16] such as Annie Jump Cannon (astronomer),[17][18] Tsiolkovsky (considered of a "father of Rocketry"),[18][19] and Dr. Thomas Wheeler (deaf NASA aerospace engineer)[20][21] have made to astronomy, space exploration and science education.

Other programs

Other programs include corporate programs, programs for adults and educators, educational field-trip programs for school groups, and the X-Camp outdoor leadership camp. There were also special alumni sessions during the summer of the 25th anniversary.

Occasionally themed camps have been offered, usually in conjunction with museum exhibits. During the summer of 2010, a Jedi Experience camp was offered in connection with the museum traveling exhibit Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination.[22]

"The Triangular Aviation Challenge logo shows the silhouette of a fighter plane pointing up and the words Aviation Challenge beneath."

Aviation Challenge

Aviation Challenge, or AC, is an umbrella branding for a set of aviation oriented camps at Space Camp, consisting of three main programs for children from ages 9–18. As an aviation oriented camp, the fundamental teaching aids are computer based flight simulators, which are intended to train attendees to fly, act, and think like United States Air Force, Navy or Marine fighter pilots.

Facilities

Simulators

There are simulators at Space Camp, such as:

Space Camp additionally uses rides or attractions that are on site at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center as instructional tools. The Space Shot simulates liftoff, and the G-Force Accelerator simulates the G-forces put on astronauts while re-entering the Earth's atmosphere or during launch.

The Intuitive Planetarium provides a venue for presenting space and science-oriented shows produced through a Digistar 7 system and 5 Christie laser projectors.[23] The planetarium is part of the center's museum complex.[24] In February 2019, the Intuitive Planetarium replaced the Spacedome IMAX theater, which operated at the Center since 1982.[23]

Accommodation

Space Camp Habitat 1 facility

If a Space Camp program takes more than one day, campers stay at the space camp's Habitat 1 or Habitat 2. Habitat 1 is a large building designed to house young people. Male and female campers are usually assigned to separate floors. Space Camp resident assistant crew trainers are housed in rooms adjacent to student sleeping quarters. Restrooms are gender-specific and have separated shower and toilet stalls.

Aviation Challenge trainees stay in Habitat 3 where they are required to maintain military standards to their bays and racks. There are two floors to Habitat 3. Males live on half of the ground floor and all of the second floor. Female trainees stay on the other half of the first floor. The bays are named after famous aircraft carriers. The camp has a cafeteria where campers receive meals.

References

  1. ^ "Space Camp". www.spacecamp.com. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
  2. ^ "U.S. Space & Rocket Center | U.S. Space & Rocket Center". www.rocketcenter.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  3. ^ Bob Ward and John Glenn (2009). Dr. Space: The Life of Wernher von Braun. p. 151. ISBN 978-1591149279.
  4. ^ "SPACE CAMP HALL OF FAME | U.S. Space & Rocket Center". www.rocketcenter.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  5. ^ Sellers, Laurin (14 September 2002). "Titusville, Fla., Space Camp's Mission Is to Remain Open". Orlando Sentinel.
  6. ^ "SPACE CAMP WILL KEEP SIMULATORS, NEW OWNER SAYS". The Miami Herald. November 10, 2002.
  7. ^ Kelly, Emre (2020-07-17). "Lockheed Martin will lease former Astronaut Hall of Fame for NASA's Orion spacecraft". Florida Today. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  8. ^ Kwan, Joshua L. (8 January 2002). "Space Camp California Closes for Lack of Funds". San Jose Mercury News.
  9. ^ "Hall Of Fame - www.spacecamp.com". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Hall of Fame Inductees". al.com. July 20, 2008. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  11. ^ a b c Clines, Keith (12 July 2009). "Space Camp adds 3 to its hall of fame". Huntsville Times. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
  12. ^ "www.spacecamp.com". www.spacecamp.com. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  13. ^ "Family Programs". Space Camp. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  14. ^ "Scholarships". www.spacecamp.com. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
  15. ^ "History of the program - DeafSpaceCamp". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  16. ^ "Deaf Scientist Corner". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  17. ^ "Pioneering women in STEM - National Science Foundation". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  18. ^ a b Lang, H. (1994). Silence of the Spheres: The Deaf Experience in the History of Science. Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey.
  19. ^ "Konstantin Tsiolkovsky: Russian Father of Rocketry". Space.com. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  20. ^ "John Thomas WHEELER's Obituary on Atlanta Journal-Constitution". Legacy.com. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  21. ^ "NASA - Marshall Star, October 3, 2012 Edition". Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  22. ^ "STAR WARS: Where Science Meets Imagination (Press Materials)". 28 May 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  23. ^ a b Lyons, Wes (2019-02-27). "INTUITIVE Planetarium at U.S. Space & Rocket Center Opens Thursday". Sprocketeers. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
  24. ^ "INTUITIVE Planetarium". U.S. Space & Rocket Center. 2019-01-14. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Space_Camp_(United_States)&oldid=1191994877"