Hutchinson, Kan. – February 13, 2015, a fascinating new documentary joins the Cosmosphere’s lineup. Through visually stunning imagery, and in collaboration with leading space experts, Journey To Space showcases the exciting plans NASA and the space community are working on and the challenges they must overcome to carry out missions. Narrated by Sir Patrick Stewart, the film calls attention to the reality that the space program did not die with the end of the Shuttle Program in 2011 and captures the spirit of human exploration.
“No longer science fiction, a human mission to Mars is in the planning stages, and major steps are being taken to make it a reality within a generation,” said Bob Kresser, CEO of K2 Films. “Our goal in making this film was to tie together the actual hardware being built with the tremendous planning under way that will make the next steps in space exploration the most far-reaching in our history.”
Highlighted in the film are the creations we are counting on to drive deep space exploration in the future: NASA’s Orion, Olympus, and Space Launch System (SLS). Orion is NASA’s first spacecraft designed to carry humans on long-duration deep space exploration missions. Orion will take humans to interplanetary destinations beyond low Earth orbit and return them safely back home. For instance, a round-trip to Mars via Orion will take two-and-a-half years as compared to the Apollo trips to the Moon, which took 12 days. Olympus, an inflatable transportation habitat, is an early concept 45- or 50-foot diameter module that would provide astronauts the work area and living space necessary for long-duration missions. The SLS is the giant rocket that will provide the enormous lift necessary to send humans farther than we’ve ever flown before. SLS will also carry the needed Mars landers and ascent vehicles to get astronauts to the surface of Mars and back up to the Orion mothership for their return trip to Earth. SLS will generate over nine million pounds of thrust and can launch hardware into orbit equivalent to the weight of 22 elephants.
Journey To Space also gives a fitting tribute to the Space Shuttle Program and the 355 astronauts who flew on the 135 Shuttle missions. This historical chapter in the film describes how the Shuttle took many of the big steps that helped us understand how to live and operate in space. The film also gives a strong overview of the Shuttle’s last major project – the launch and assembly of the International Space Station (ISS), a joint collaboration of 15 nations operating 24/7 providing a true home and science lab in space like no other. ISS crews’ tours of duty have averaged six months, and NASA is beginning one-year duration missions starting in 2015. Researchers expect the one-year missions to yield beneficial knowledge on the medical, psychological and biomedical challenges explorers will face as they venture to an asteroid, Mars and beyond.
Cosmosphere Members receive complimentary tickets to screenings of all new documentaries. The Member premiere dates for Journey to Space are February 27 – March 1, 2015, at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Members may bring guests at a reduced rate of $6 per ticket. For more information on membership at the Cosmosphere, go here. To reserve a complimentary Member ticket, contact Membership Coordinator Kelsey Scott at (620)665.9310, (800)397.0330 x310 or kelseys@cosmo.org.
Recognized as leaders in Giant Screen documentary cinema, K2 Films, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of K2 Communications (K2), brings a wealth of success and experience in all aspects of production, global distribution and marketing. Additionally, K2’s distribution arm counts more than 65 large screen format films in its library for non-theatrical distribution, plus more than 25 films for digital and large format theater distribution. K2 also operates the only comprehensive Giant Screen consumer/fan website, BigMovieZone.com. For more information, consult www.k2communications.com.
Since 1997, Giant Screen Films (GSF) has established itself as a pioneer in the large-format industry, producing and distributing films that push the boundaries of the medium. Through the magic of immersive sight and sound technologies, GSF’s productions challenge the imaginations of children and adults, offering an inspiring perspective on the world and an unforgettable theater experience. Meaningful educational collaborations and partnerships extend each film’s impact far beyond the theater. The company is recognized as one of the world’s leading and most active large-format producers and is based in Evanston, Ill. For additional information, visit www.gsfilms.com.
The Smithsonian-affiliated Cosmosphere houses the largest collection of U.S. and Russian space artifacts in the world. The Cosmosphere’s mission is: Inspiring innovation through science education and honoring the history of space exploration. Camp KAOS, the Cosmosphere’s summer camp program for students entering second grade through high school, is dedicated to inspiring explorers of all ages using STEM principles and building leadership and teamwork skills.
The SpaceWorks division has an international reputation for historic artifact preservation, replication and exhibit design. SpaceWorks has completed projects for NASA, the Smithsonian, and Hollywood films, including Ron Howard’s Apollo 13 and the HBO Miniseries From Earth to the Moon.
The Cosmosphere is located at 1100 N. Plum in Hutchinson, Kan.
