Find Out What It’s Like to Be an Astronaut at the California Science Center

Ever wondered what you do when you have to potty in space? Or what lunch or dinner might look like on a space ship? And what do you wear to get around while you’re up there anyway?

Of the more than 7 billion people on Earth, less than 600 have left the planet to find out the answers to these questions. Until now.

Thanks to the new Journey to Space: Exhibit and 3D Film, you and the kiddos can find out what it’s like to be an astronaut at the California Science Center. And you don’t even need to leave the Earth’s atmosphere to do it! The exhibit and film are open Oct. 29, 2015 through May 8, 2016.

Journey to Space: The Exhibition

Get ready for a hands-on experience of what it takes to live and work in space. The exhibit shows just how extreme the space environment is, the dangers astronauts face and the adaptations engineers have developed to help them survive.

There are some pretty sciency ideas explored here like the vacuum of space, radiation, meteoroids, temperature extremes, weightlessness, the physics of launch and more. But there’s lots of the more “fun” stuff, too. Some of the highlights include:

• A model of the International Space Station (ISS) where you can peek inside to see where crew members live and work
• The space potty!
• Space food
• Trying to stack blocks with a space glove on
• Operating a robotic arm
• A full-scale replica of the Destiny Lab aboard the ISS that you can climb aboard (though it’s not suited to those who get motion sick)

The Journey to Space: The Exhibition is well suited to school-aged kids, especially those with an interest in space exploration. Expect to spend 45 minutes to an hour here, more if it’s crowded or if you bring along an aspiring astronaut.

Journey to Space: The Film

Playing in the Science Center’s IMAX theater, the 40-minute Journey to Space 3D Film celebrates the history of the Space Shuttle and ISS programs and also looks at what’s ahead in space exploration.

If you’re like me, you’ll enjoy hearing firsthand accounts of what it’s actually like to live and work in space from two NASA astronauts featured prominently in the film, Chris Ferguson and Serena Aunon. And if you’re a kid like my 11 year old, you might like seeing the new suits they’re designing for working on Mars!

As someone who isn’t particularly space savvy, I appreciate that the film doesn’t use overly complicated language or concepts. It’s easy to follow and great for the entire family. I was inspired by what has already been accomplished – and by seeing just how hard people are working today to take us even further into space in the years ahead.

Practical Matters

• Admission to the California Science Center is free; there is a fee for the Journey to Space: Exhibit and 3D Film
• For ticket information, head to the California Science Center website or call (323) SCIENCE (323-724-7624)
• Exhibit tickets are timed with entries available from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged
• Allow anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to view the entire exhibit; the film runs about 40 minutes
• Add in a visit to the Space Shuttle Endeavor for a full day of space play & discovery

Free Family 4-Pack!

I’ve got a free family 4-pack of tickets to the Journey to Space: Exhibition and 3D Film to give away. Tickets are good for use any time before May 8, 2016.

If you’re interested, I’m making it easy to enter for a chance to win the tickets. Just leave a comment below! Be sure to include your email address. Entries without an email address will not be included. (If you prefer, you can send me your entry by email.) Good luck!

Please note:

• Entries for this giveaway will close at 5 p.m. PST on Wed., Nov. 4, 2015.
• The winner will be chosen using the nifty random number generator at random.org.
• Winner will have 24 hours to reply to my notification. If I don’t hear back after that, I’ll pick another winner.

Note: I received complimentary admission to the Journey to Space: Exhibition and 3D Film in exchange for providing my honest review with you. Read my disclosure policy for more information.