NASA Marshall, Downtown Huntsville Inc. Announce Date for 2016 NASA in the Park

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May 26, 2016, 05:15 ET

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., May 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Downtown Huntsville Inc. are partnering for a third year to host an event celebrating the city and space agency's enduring relationship. NASA in the Park will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18 in Huntsville's Big Spring Park East.

"NASA is one of the key factors in Huntsville's success story, and yet its location on Redstone Arsenal keeps it something of a mystery to the public," said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. "NASA in the Park brings these brilliant engineers and scientists from behind the gate to our citizens where we can learn about space endeavors, ask questions and hopefully inspire the next generation of explorers."

NASA in the Park will include dozens of exhibits and demonstrations that share Marshall's work with the public. Work that, according to Marshall Center Director Todd May, is advancing the nation's journey to Mars.

"NASA is making great strides on the journey to send astronauts farther into space than ever before, and in a very real sense, the first leg of the journey to Mars is happening right here in Huntsville," May said. "We're excited to share in this journey with the Huntsville community, and on June 18, we will come together and celebrate the work taking place."

America's next great ship -- NASA's Space Launch System -- is currently being designed, developed and managed by Marshall. The first rocket designed to launch astronauts on the journey to Mars, SLS will be the most powerful ever built and, with the Orion spacecraft, will move America into a new era of human exploration.

The downtown event also will feature Marshall musicians, educational activities and games for all ages. May will be joined by many Marshall employees as well as NASA astronaut Don Thomas, who will visit with the public throughout the day.

This year, NASA also is proud to be joined by Redstone Arsenal, who will be celebrating its 75th anniversary on the west side of Big Spring Park.

For more information about NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/

For more information about Downtown Huntsville, visit:

http://www.downtownhuntsville.org/

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SOURCE NASA