The World Tonight: Press - Newspapers
"2001:Destination Space" exhibition,
Sponsored by Lockheed-Martin.
Originally published from New Horizons.
By Buddy Nelson.
Date: 3/2001

New Lockheed Martin-sponsored Tech Museum "2001" exhibit contrasts science fiction with science fact SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 1, 2001 -- A new Lockheed Martin-sponsored exhibit at The Tech Museum of Innovation uses the 1968 Stanley Kubrick film "2001: A Space Odyssey" as a lens to look both backward to the expectations for space development in 1968, and forward to the year 2001 and beyond. The exhibit "2001: Destination Space" -- which runs through September 3, 2001, also includes a gallery of original paintings by Robert McCall, the preeminent artist of space exploration themes. "Many of the scientists and engineers working on the space program today were inspired by '2001: A Space Odyssey'," said Ron Paulson, Vice President, Remote Sensing and Space Science, at Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Sunnyvale. "Our company actually gives them an opportunity to put that inspiration to work in building the future of space exploration and development, and so we're delighted to support The Tech Museum in providing inspiration for those who will continue this work."

The "2001: Destination Space" exhibit at The Tech in San Jose first introduces the film "2001", and the era in which it was made. Rare movie props ­ including a faceplate from the HAL 9000 computer and astronaut David Bowman's space helmet ­ as well as film clips, movie stills, models, and original artwork serve to highlight the contrast between the science fiction of the film and the science fact of today's space program. An interactive exhibit allows visitors to ask questions of HAL and hear his answers. A NASA computer simulation allows visitors to attempt to dock a space shuttle with the International Space Station, and appreciate the difficulty of such a maneuver.

The paintings of Robert McCall on exhibit comprise over 75 original works of art. McCall's' artwork is immediately distinguishable as among the most memorable depictions of space exploration ever rendered. McCall painted the enormous "Conquest of Space" mural at the National Air and Space Museum on the Mall in Washington, D.C., as well as murals at Edwards Air Force Base, the NASA Johnson Space Center, and Disney's EPCOT Center in Florida. Among a long list of additional credits, Mr. McCall created the poster art for the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey," as well as chronicling the United State space program on several sets of U.S. postage stamps.

Visitors to "2001: Destination Space" can also explore space in The Tech's newest permanent interactive activity, Journey to the Planets. The activity allows visitors to embark on a simulated space mission, exploring the environments of the planets in our solar system. Journey to the Planets uses actual data from deep-space probes to simulate topographic and geographic features of our planetary neighbors.

In addition, debuting in March, "2001: Destination Space" will have an online exhibit. It will feature an interactive timeline where visitors can view the chronological scope of the exhibit, 1968-2001, and obtain a brief synopsis of the film. Clickable objects will highlight technologies in the film, technologies that existed in 1968, and their modern day counterparts. The online exhibit will also feature an art gallery of McCall's paintings, as well as interviews with McCall and other technologists who were inspired by "2001: A Space Odyssey." The online site will be found at: http://www.thetech.org.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered in Denver, Colo., is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures, and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include space launch and ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, and integration of advanced-technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services. Employing more than 140,000 people worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 1999 sales surpassing $25 billion.

For more information about Lockheed Martin Space Systems-Sunnyvale, see our website.

March 2001

Posted by, Buddy Nelson (510) 797-0349, buddy1@home.com

Websites:
2001:exhibit
2001:Destination Space

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