INFINITY Science Center at NASA Stennis Space Center Now Open

A new $30 million science and space educational center is open on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, celebrating the intertwining of science, space exploration and fun. INFINITY Science Center, affiliated with NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center, is designed to challenge and educate visitors of all ages on the role of science and math in exploration across history. INFINITY also showcases Stennis Space Center’s part in the United States’ space programs—from the Saturn V rocket for the Apollo manned lunar landing program to space shuttles and beyond. INFINITY is located at Exit 2 on Interstate 10 just east of the Mississippi-Louisiana state line.

Upon entering INFINITY, visitors are greeted by Apollo 13 astronaut—and Mississippi Gulf Coast native—Fred Haise in a special welcome video. Three gallery areas showcase intriguing exhibits like:

• Great Nations Dare to Explore, a 4,000-square-foot maze that has visitors working their way from early Egypt to a future of colonies on Mars and moon research stations.
• Science Express, where visitors can see how Stennis Space Center and its many agencies contribute to scientific progress on Earth with displays such as an El Niño buoy and a digital atlas with real-time data.
• Science on a Sphere uses animated images to showcase adventures to the sun, moon, Mars or Jupiter as well as highlights of the Earth’s atmosphere, including weather systems and airline flight paths.
• Space Gallery traces the history and achievements of NASA through America’s various space programs—Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and the Space Shuttle. In addition to space suits and shuttle rocket engine components, a focal point of this area is a full-size laboratory module of the International Space Station. Other must-see’s include a cut-away display of the Orion Crew Capsule that will carry humans into deep space and the Rocket Engine Boom Box, bringing to life the sights and sounds of a rocket engine test like those conducted at Stennis.
• Outdoor exhibit area where visitors can get up close to a tsunami buoy and a weather collection buoy developed and used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Data Buoy Center at Stennis.

INFINITY Science Center includes a gift shop and a restaurant offering food selections from eight different local Mississippi Gulf Coast restaurants each day and serves as the official visitor’s center and starting point for bus tours for NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center. Admission to INFINITY is affordably priced at just $8 for adults (age 18-54) and $6 for seniors (age 55 and above), military and children (ages 6-17). Children under age 5 are free, and special discount pricing is available for groups and school programs. INFINITY is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, please visit www.visitinfinity.com.