HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville, Alabama is home to Space Camp but Space Camp just got a little bigger... and better! With the addition of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's newest state-of-the-art facility, the Space Camp Operations Center sponsored by Boeing.
FOX54 was able to get a preview of the building before the official ribbon cutting this Friday.
"This building is going to be an absolute game changer for our Space Camp program," said Senior Director of Public & Media Relations with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Pat Ammons.
"Right above the entryways to the Space Camp Operations Center reads "Through these doors walk the world's future scientists, astronauts, and engineers."
"We are so excited to cut the ribbon on this incredible new facility," said Ammons.
The Space Camp Operations Center was built to add on to the overall experience of Space Camp, but it was also built to fulfill a need. This year Space Camp is set to operate at full capacity after the pandemic. According to Ammons, this summer an estimated 900 to 1,000 people will be making their way around the space camp campus on a weekly basis.
"We were bursting at the seams. Space Camp, we formed in 1982. So this program has been going on for 41 years with additions over the years to our programming and our spaces. But this is truly an expansion for the future. We have a building that has ten new classrooms, and dedicated space for all kinds of activities that we absolutely didn't have before. We have a beautiful new auditorium where we will be able to hold our Space Camp graduation ceremonies and a building that we can share with the public when our Space Camp students aren't using this for their program. So it's just, you, you know, an amazing addition to our community, certainly an amazing addition to the Rocket Center," said Ammons.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center officially opens is newest state-of-the-art facility, the Space Camp Operations Center sponsored by Boeing, with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Friday, May 19, 2023, at 10 a.m. This 40,600-square-foot facility will serve as the hub of Space Camp programs and create a permanent home for U.S. Cyber Camp.
The ceremony is free and open to the public, and past graduates of Space Camp and their families, and the community are encouraged to attend. Guests are asked to RSVP online.