MUSEUM RECEIVED SPACE SHUTTLE GUIDANCE AND NAVIGATION SIMULATOR, WILL ALSO RECEIVE SPACE SHUTTLE EXTERNAL TANK

WASHINGTON, APRIL 24, 2012 – The Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum at Keystone Heights Airpark received the Space Shuttle Guidance and Navigation Simulator from the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.  The museum will host important artifacts from NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, which conducted its final mission last year.  Standing 38 feet high and weighing 75,000 pounds, the simulator is an exact replica of the Space Shuttle Orbiter crew compartment used for mission training.  In addition to the simulator, the only remaining Space Shuttle external tank once on display at the Kennedy Space Center will be transferred to Wings of Dreams.

“These artifacts of the Space Shuttle Program highlight the history of our nation’s space program and will serve to educate and inspire generations of Americans,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth).  “These are very welcome resources here in north central Florida.  In addition to spurring our imaginations, these additions to Wings of Dreams will interest young people in the technical disciplines of engineering, science, and technology.” 

The Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum is on 7100 Airport Road in Starke, Florida.  For more information, please visit the museum’s website, www.wingsofdreams .org.