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December 11, 2024

CT Science Center debuts new ‘Exploring Space’ exhibition gallery

Harriet Jones Matt Fleury, president and CEO of the Connecticut Science Center, Wednesday at the debut of the new “Exploring Space” exhibit.
By Harriet Jones

The Connecticut Science Center on Wednesday debuted its reimagined “Exploring Space” exhibit.

Billed as a stellar adventure, the expanded 4,500-square-foot gallery is the largest ever constructed at the center. It allows visitors to explore the universe through the resources of Earth-based astronomy, human exploration and the observation of deep space probes.

It includes more than 30 new exhibits, such as a spacesuit fashion show and a space station simulator, which includes a space toilet.

“Throughout what you see is the innovation of Connecticut companies, which actually make much of that happen,” said Matt Fleury, president and CEO of the Connecticut Science Center.

Lt. Gov. Susan Byciewicz noted that the state has over 28,000 people who work in the sector across 259 companies.

Harriet Jones
Lt. Gov. Susan Byciewicz at the CT Science Center.

“It is just beautiful and engaging and fun, but it also highlights our thriving aerospace industry,” she said at Wednesday’s launch event. “This gallery is going to be educating our kids about the universe, but it also is helping them imagine what a future career in aerospace could look like.”

The exhibit was financially supported by the Barnes Foundation and Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense, among others.

David Kametz, vice president of engineering at Ensign-Bickford, said the company was also a sponsor of the original gallery, which was part of the Science Center at its launch 15 years ago.

“We being an aerospace and defense company, it creates a great partnership,” he said. “Ensign-Bickford has been based in Connecticut since 1836.”

The company manufactures explosive components, and the gallery displays include a frangible joint made by Ensign-Bickford, which enables rocket stages to separate during launch, alongside a rocket made by United Launch Alliance, one of Ensign’s client companies.

“Really, a lot of the guts and the architecture of any launch vehicle is made by (Ensign-Bickford), and that’s our history,” Kametz said.

The company has about 470 employees in Simsbury, as well as facilities in California and Kentucky.

Middlefield optics and metallurgy company Zygo was also present at the kickoff event.

The gallery opens to the public on Saturday, Dec. 14, and entry is included with general admission to the museum.
 

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