The universe is waiting for you at the Rochester exhibit, Astronauts. RMSC has brought in an exciting new traveling exhibition from Perth, Australia. The exhibit is an immersive experience where visitors have the opportunity to play the role of astronaut. It will be open October 17, 2025, through May 3, 2026.
This fun hands-on exhibit will highlight thirteen individuals from the Rochester area who have had an impact on aeronautics and space exploration. “Pam Melroy, the former assistant director for NASA, will be donating a whole bunch of objects that she had up with her in various space shuttle missions that we’ll have on display, as well as a piece of art that was done by one of her high school classmates at Bishop Kearney,” says Calvin Uzelmeier, RMSC Vice President of Programs and Exhibits. The exhibit also features Sian Proctor, the first female African American space mission pilot, who also piloted a SpaceX mission. Blanche Stuart Scott, the first female pilot in the United States, will be featured along with her teacher Glenn Curtiss, a pioneer in early flight. There are many members of the Rochester community that have contributed to and impacted space exploration and broke many barriers doing so.
The space lab is the first hands-on section that visitors will experience. Living and working environments in space are on display and interactive for everyone to enjoy. A simulation mission control that replicates the International Space Station will ensure that a rocket leaves earth and returns from space safely. There is even the chance to blast off at the rocket launch experience, where everyone can watch the rocket leave Earth and experience what it would be like to be above it.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education is an important part of growing up and education, which is why going to these exhibits and learning about these jobs will help stimulate STEM interests. “Many little children want to be astronauts when they grow up because exhibits like this spark their curiosity and give them a better understanding of the world,” says Uzelmeier. “Exposing kids to possible careers while young will guide them toward exploring their interests and thinking about the future.”
Another new addition to RMSC is a film at the planetarium that will coincide with Astronauts. Space, The New Frontier, narrated by actor Chris Pine, will offer some synergy between the exhibit and the planetarium to bring interest to space exploration and study. This exhibit and the planetarium are open to all ages and will inspire everyone to discover more about space. Space is vast and scientists are learning new information everyday about the universe and our planet. Maybe this exhibit will inspire you to be an astronaut or scientist when you grow up.
Adults will find inspiration when visiting this exciting exhibit, too!
GLOSSARY
International Space Station: Large spacecraft that orbits Earth, serving as a research laboratory and home for astronauts.
SpaceX: A privately owned company that builds rockets and spaceships.
Planetarium: A building or room that projects pictures and videos of the sky onto a dome shaped ceiling.
NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is a US government agency responsible for space exploration, research, and scientific discoveries involving air and space.
Aeronautics: The study of how and why things fly.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2025 issue of (585) Kids.
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