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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2002
Media Contact: Susan Miller, Public Relations Manager
samiller@dncinc.com
Delaware North Parks Services of Spaceport, Inc. To Purchase Astronaut Hall of Fame
Kennedy Space Center, Fla. — Delaware North Parks Services of Spaceport, Inc. (DNPSS), operator of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for NASA, has announced that it will purchase the Astronaut Hall of Fame.
In an agreement realized today, DNPSS will lease the Astronaut Hall of Fame building and nearby maintenance facility on State Road 405 in Titusville, plus the surrounding land and contents of those buildings, from Southtrust Bank of Birmingham, Alabama. The company will also purchase the intellectual property rights to the Astronaut Hall of Fame and make it an official part of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. DNPSS will operate the Astronaut Hall of Fame in its present position for the foreseeable future, with a long-term plan to move the attraction to the Visitor Complex property.
"The Astronaut Hall of Fame is a significant part of America's space program history, and we're thrilled that it will remain open to the public," said Rick Abramson, president and chief operating officer of DNPSS. "Millions of people will be able to continue to enjoy its artifacts, tributes and interactive exhibits, and to be inspired by the NASA story."
The Astronaut Hall of Fame houses the world's largest collection of astronaut memorabilia, as well as displays, exhibits and tributes dedicated to the heroes of Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. Realistic astronaut training simulators allow guests to feel the pressure of four times the force of gravity, take a virtual walk on the moon, ride a rover across Mars, and land a Space Shuttle.
While the Space Camp activity floor and equipment are located in the Astronaut Hall of Fame building, to be leased by DNPSS, the company did not purchase the intellectual property rights to the camp or purchase or lease its dormitory. DNPSS will instead use the activity floor and equipment for its current educational programs, which attracted more than 100,000 participants last year and include Camp KSC spring and summer day camps; educational field trips; job shadowing programs for students with disabilities; Overnight Adventure campouts; and Salute to Scouts days.
"For the near-term, we'll use the facility to enhance our existing educational programs," said Abramson. "We're currently exploring the possibility of one day running a program similar to Space Camp, and we're planning innovative, in-depth, educational programs that will take the Visitor Complex experience to a whole new level," he continued.
As part of the Astronaut Hall of Fame acquisition, DNPSS will also enter into a formal partnership with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Established in 1984 by the six surviving original Mercury Seven astronauts; Mrs. Betty Grissom, widow of the Virgil (Gus) Grissom; and other participants, the organization awards 17 scholarships annually to upper level college students and those pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering. The partnership between DNPSS and the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation will provide for the retention of astronaut artifacts at the Hall of Fame; appearances by astronauts at special events; and the continuation of the annual Astronaut Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is open from 9 a.m. until approximately dusk every day except December 25 and certain launch days. Admission includes access to all exhibits, Astronaut Encounter, IMAX space films and the KSC Tour of restricted areas. The Visitor Complex is located 45 miles east of Orlando, Fla. The Astronaut Hall of Fame houses the world's largest collection of astronaut artifacts, along with training simulators and exhibits dedicated to the heroes of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. For more information, visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com or call 321-449-4400.
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