Mission 26: ET Comes Home Photographs by Gil Garcetti At the California Science Center

With an eye for both art and science, photographer Gil Garcetti documents the extraordinary journey of the last remaining external tank built for flight (ET-94) as a community celebration of this shared human experience and a tribute to a great engineering feat of transportation. While on display ET-94 is being refurbished, preparing it for the ultimate goal of assembling the world's only authentic space shuttle system in the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.

On April 12, 2016, ET-94 left NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana and traveled over 4,400 nautical miles on the barge Gulfmaster I, pulled by a tugboat called the Shannon Dann.

On its way to Los Angeles, ET-94 weathered a storm in the Cayman Islands, traversed the Panama Canal, and made its way up the Pacific Coast. While passing Baja California, the crew rescued four stranded sport fishermen. As with the move of space shuttle Endeavour four years earlier, large crowds came out to cheer ET-94 on as astronauts proudly escorted ET-94 from Marina del Rely to the California Science Center.

Gil Garcetti has been a photographer since about the age of 13. But it wasn't until he left his position as Los Angeles County District Attorney in 2000, that he made photography his profession. Since 2002 he has published seven books. The photographs from these books have been featured in exhibitions around the world including at the United Nations, UNESCO, and the National Building Museum in Washington D.C., in October, at LACMA and in various publications in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

His most recent book, JAPAN: A REVERENCE FOR BEAUTY, focuses on the questions of why the Japanese people and culture are so unique in their reverence, respect, and need for beauty and what Westerners can learn from this ancient culture and people.

Garcetti was appointed UNESCO - IHE Cultural Ambassador in 2014 and speaks around the world about the issue of safe water in developing countries and especially how bringing safe water to rural villages in West Africa directly affect the lives of women and girls. Gil's work as producer includes the hit TNT television series MAJOR CRIMES and THE CLOSER.

He has been married to his wife Sukey for 53 years. His daughter, Dana, is a lawyer and acupuncturist. His son, Eric, is the Mayor of Los Angeles.

About the California Science Center and Ticket Information
The California Science Center is a dynamic destination where families, adults and children can explore the wonders of science through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, innovative programs and awe-inspiring films. Its mission is as follows:" We aspire to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone by creating fun, memorable experiences, because we value science as an indispensable tool for understanding our world, accessibility and inclusiveness, and enriching people's lives."

The California Science Center and IMAX Theater are located in historic Exposition Park just west of the Harbor (110) Freeway at 700 Exposition Park Drive. The Science Center is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm. Both the Science Center and IMAX Theater are wheelchair accessible. Guests can enter the parking lot on Figueroa Street at 39^th/Exposition Park. Parking is $12/car, cash only. For general information, phone (323) SCIENCE or visit www.californiasciencecenter.org for schedule updates.

Media Contact:
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Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161122/442246

SOURCE California Science Center Foundation

Related Links

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org