Marty Turco, NHL All-Star Goalie and President, C5 Youth Foundation of Texas, recently joined Capt. Fred Haise (Apollo XIII), and Col. Walt Cunningham (Apollo VII) at the Exploration Space  fundraiser at the Frontiers of Flight Museum.  The event included a special VIP reception and ribbon-cutting for the Museum’s new portable planetarium, Space Portal Odyssey Capsule (SPOC). SPOC is one of the first components of the Museum’s new Exploration Space Initiative. http://www.flightmuseum.com/space-odyssey-capsule/

The new exhibit is a is a portable digital planetarium system which uses innovative nightshade simulation and visualization software for teaching and exploring astronomy, Earth science, and related topics. This 6-meter dome planetarium features a unique fisheye lens and allows guests to have a 360-degree visual experience offering perfect viewing from any position. 

“Since SPOC is so versatile, it’s sure to dazzle our budding astronomers as they are taken on a tour of the Solar System,” says Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, Frontiers of Flight Museum CEO.  She explains attendees will enter the dome and be introduced to a "star filled" sky. SPOC’s software is extremely powerful and allows guests to visit the moon and planets in our Solar System, or even leave the Milky Way galaxy.

“Our amazing SPOC planetarium is a vibrant addition to our space exploration initiative at the Museum,” says Sutterfield-Jones. “Thanks to this new exhibit, students will learn how to identify every planet in our solar system in dramatic "flights" towards each world. They will also be introduced to Greek mythological characters and see how these heroes of the past can be found in the stars. Visitors of all ages will witness the night sky in different seasons and from different global perspectives.”

The Museum aims to increase students’ understanding of space exploration as part of the new space education initiative. “SPOC is particularly exciting because of its potential to encourage youngsters to consider careers in aerospace,” says Sutterfield-Jones.  “The North Texas community as a whole and the aerospace industry in particular will benefit from more young people pursuing STEM careers and aerospace jobs. The Frontiers of Flight Museum hopes to inspire kids beyond the classroom and encourage them to explore a new world of possibilities.”

The Frontiers of Flight Museum is conveniently located just north of downtown on Lemmon Avenue at the southeast side of Dallas Love Field Airport, north of Mockingbird Lane. Housed in a modern 100,000- square-foot facility, the Museum provides a focal point to explore the history and progress of aviation, as mankind continues to pursue going higher, faster and farther. Hours of operation: Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $10; Seniors (65+) $8; Youths/Students (3-17) $7 and children under 3 are free. For more information, visit http://www.flightmuseum.com/.