San Diego, CA—The Fleet Science Center has an exciting day planned for the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing on Saturday, July 20. The event will feature out-of-this-world films, exhibitions and hands-on demonstrations to commemorate the occasion. At 12:17 p.m., the Fleet will launch a special surprise in honor of the Moon Landing anniversary. While details can’t be revealed at this time, high-flying fun is guaranteed!

In our galleries, July 20 is the official opening date of the Fleet's newest exhibition and attraction, which are both part of our new space-themed gallery: 

New Exhibition. Developed by NASA, Sun, Earth, Universe is all about our planet, the solar system, the universe and the big questions scientists are trying to answer about each. Discover the tools NASA scientists use to explore invisible forces in our universe and build a model spacecraft for your own mission to space. New Attraction. The Pulseworks VR Transporter takes virtual reality to a new level. While typical Virtual Reality technology simulates the visuals of the real world, the motion technology and surround-sound audio of this transporter will make it feel like you really are in another world. The Apollo 11 & Beyond experience has you climbing aboard a massive Saturn V rocket and blasting off to witness humankind’s first inspiring steps on the Moon.

In the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater, the Fleet will screen three favorite films about space exploration from our film archives, showing only on July 20:

Back To The Moon For Good will show at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. This educational digital movie chronicles teams from around the world competing for the largest incentivized prize in history, the Google Lunar XPRIZE. A Beautiful Planet will screen at 3 p.m. Filmed by astronauts aboard the International Space Station, A Beautiful Planet is a breathtaking portrait of Earth from space, providing a unique perspective and increased understanding of our planet.  One of the Fleet’s most popular films ever, Hubble, will screen at 5 p.m. This iconic film enables moviegoers to journey through distant galaxies, explore the grandeur and mysteries of our celestial surroundings and witness the profound impact the Hubble Space Telescope has had on the way we view the universe and ourselves.

Other activities include hands-on demonstrations in the main galleries, including baking soda and citric acid "rockets” and forming meteorite craters. In the Fleet’s Studio X, visitors are invited to create and launch stomp rockets. All of the tools and materials to make the rockets will be provided for free, and visitors can launch them into the air with a “stomp.”

The Fleet’s Education Department is offering a Junior Science Club session focused on Lunar Exploration that day. Students in grades 1–4 will learn about the solar system and space exploration from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Advance registration is required for Junior Science Club.

The 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at the Fleet Science Center is on Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some activities are included with admission. For more information, visit www.fleetscience.org or call 619-238-1233.

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To schedule a media preview or to attend this event, please contact Fleet Science Center Communications Manager Karla Nafarrate at 619-685-5743 or knafarrate@rhfleet.org. Interviews can be scheduled with the Fleet's CEO, Dr. Steve Snyder, and representatives from the Fleet's exhibition team.