San Diego, CA--Join the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center as it debuts Journey To Space, the exciting new Giant Screen film opening on Friday, March 27, in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater.

Through visually stunning imagery, and in collaboration with leading space experts, Journey To Space showcases the exciting plans NASA and the space community are working on to take humans further into space than ever before. Narrated by Patrick Stewart, the film calls attention to the reality that the space program did not die with the end of the shuttle program in 2011. It is vibrantly alive.

"No longer science fiction, a human mission to Mars is in the planning stages, and major steps are being taken to make it a reality within a generation," said Bob Kresser, CEO of K2 Films. "Our goal in making this film was to tie together the actual hardware being built with the tremendous planning underway that will make the next steps in space exploration the most far-reaching in our history."

This is an especially meaningful film for residents and visitors to San Diego, since San Diego has always played a large role in the aeronautics and space technology industries.

Ever since Charles Lindbergh built the Spirit of St. Louis here in 1927, San Diego has been a hub of aviation technology and innovation. In 1935, Reuben H. Fleet relocated Consolidated Aircraft Corporation from Buffalo to San Diego to build flying boats for the Navy. This move set the stage for Convair and General Dynamics Corporation to become stalwart industry leaders in San Diego and propel the aviation industry in San Diego for years to come.   

Today, San Diego looks to the future, with local companies such as Rayotek and San Diego Composites contributing to the recent successful test launch of the new Orion spacecraft, a vessel featured in Journey To Space and one that NASA hopes will eventually take humans to Mars.  

Rayotek provided the engineering and manufacturing of the fused silica windows, essential for ensuring future crew safety. San Diego Composites provided the thermal protection system and its attachment structure for Orion's first flight test. Thanks to the contributions of these two San Diego companies, NASA was able to successfully complete the first major test of their next generation of spacecraft.

Journey To Space gives a sweeping overview of past space accomplishments, current activities and future plans. Those future plans include challenging, audacious missions, such as landing astronauts on Mars and capturing asteroids.

"What we're seeing is the launch of a whole new era of exploration for the human species," said Steve Snyder, CEO of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. "Through films like Journey To Space, we want to get audiences engaged and excited about the possibilities for what we can do next in space exploration."

Filmgoers will meet astronauts such as Chris Ferguson, Commander of the final shuttle mission, and Serena Aunon, a new astronaut selected for future flights. Viewers will see how the International Space Station was assembled and learn how it has taught us to live, build and conduct science in space. Audiences will also discover how astronauts will actually get to Mars, live there, and then return home after a two-and-a-half-year mission.

Journey To Space will both inspire a new generation to dream of a future in space and engender a new appreciation for the accomplishments of the Space Shuttle Program. The film provides a timely review of how NASA has been transitioning from the end of the Space Shuttle Era to a much more ambitious future that will forever change how we live and operate in space as a species.

Journey To Space is presented by Toyota and Boeing and is locally sponsored by Cox Communication.

Narrated by Patrick Stewart, the film is family friendly and has a run time of 42 minutes.

For more information and a complete film schedule, please visit:

http://www.rhfleet.org/shows/journey-space

http://journeytospacefilm.com/

View the trailer:  https://vimeo.com/115002216  

Media Page: http://www.journeytospacefilm.com/media/

To schedule a special screening or interview with one of the experts related to the film, please contact Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations Manager Nathan Young at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org. A list of available experts related to the film is below.

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FOR MEDIA ONLY:

You're invited to the Journey To Space Premiere!

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center will be hosting a special premiere screening party of Journey To Space on Wednesday, March 25, at 6 p.m. Members of the media are invited to join us!

Enjoy live music, hors d'oeuvres and an open bar during the opening reception. At 7 p.m. we will make our way into the theater to enjoy the California premiere of the film. Special guests that will be in attendance include the film's director, Mark Krenzien, and others.

If you would like to attend the premiere party for Journey To Space, please RSVP to Nathan Young, Reuben H. Fleet Public Relations and Promotions Manager, at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org. Space is limited. RSVP by March 23, 2015.

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Media Interviews

The Fleet is pleased to have a number of representatives available for interview in conjunction with the film Journey To Space. Representatives include the filmmaker, astronauts featured in the film, experts and local business owners involved in the creation of the Orion spacecraft.

Mark Krenzien
Writer/Director, Journey To Space

Writer, director and producer Mark Krenzien has enjoyed a diverse film and television career for more than thirty-five years. Beginning as an Emmy-winning film editor, and then as a cinematographer, Mark's early credits include Making Michael Jackson's Thriller, as well as numerous music videos for international pop stars. 

Mr. Krenzien has written, produced and directed documentaries for ABC, HBO, Showtime and Discovery. He has written screenplays for Universal, Paramount, and Showtime. He also directed the award-winning drama The Letters From Moab, which screened at Sundance, Berlin, Deauville and other international film festivals.

More recently, Mark has worked with MacGillivray Freeman Films as a writer, producer and director in twelve different large-format IMAX films including Humpback Whales, Journey to the South Pacific, Adventures in Wild California, The Mystery of the Nile, The Alps, Grand Canyon Adventure and Arabia.

As an environmental activist and outdoor enthusiast, Krenzien particularly enjoys the challenge of filming in demanding far-flung locations, from war-torn Iraq and earthquake ravaged Haiti, to a giant NASA clean room and idyllic tropical Tonga.

Chris Ferguson
Astronaut

Christopher. J. Ferguson is a veteran of three shuttle missions. Ferguson was pilot of STS-115 (Atlantis) and commander of STS-126 (Endeavour) and the final shuttle mission, STS-135 (Atlantis). He has logged more than 40 days in space and 5,700 hours in high-performance aircraft. He also served as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office and was spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for the STS-118, -120, -128 and -129 missions. In his current role in Boeing's human spaceflight program, Ferguson works with NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Directorate and Kennedy Space Center's Commercial Crew Program to ensure Boeing's design supports NASA's Human Rating Requirements. The development of a safe, reliable and cost-effective solution for crew transportation to and from the International Space Station will allow this on-orbit research facility to continue to fulfill its promise as a world-class laboratory.

Chris Ferguson can be available for phone-in interviews with advance notice.

Ken Mercer
Vice President, San Diego Composites

Ken Mercer serves as Vice President of San Diego Composites and also heads the Space and Stable Structures business area. Mr. Mercer has over a decade of experience in the design, analysis, and qualification of large scale flight structures. His work includes leading all the Orion Program efforts at SDC. He has assisted NASA and Lockheed Martin in the development and fabrication of over 1000 components for the program - most of which flew on the Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1) build in December 2014. Mr. Mercer's technical expertise has been routinely sought and utilized for conceptual design, parametric analysis, design review of payloads/spacecraft, and structural testing.  

Mark Barthelemy
Board of Directors, National Space Society

Mark Barthelemy is the founder of oooojoooo.com, an online space education outreach organization producing learning content. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Chapter of the National Space Society. Mark is an advisor and interpreter and freelance journalist for VICE Media, Inc., an advisory board member of the American University Preparatory School and advisor to Buzz Aldrin Enterprises, LLC.

Dr. Stanley G. Rosen
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, National Space Society

Dr. Stanley G. Rosen is professor of acquisition management, Defense Acquisition University. Dr. Rosen has held scientific, engineering, program management, strategy and policy development positions with the U.S. Air Force, during which time he worked on a wide variety of NASA, Air Force and classified space activities. His last position in a distinguished 21-year military career was director of long range planning, Space Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command.

He has served in various volunteer capacities, and is currently vice chairman of the board of directors of the National Space Society. He was a national board member and vice president of public policy of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, is a former chairman and board member of the California Space Authority and is past president of the Association for Strategic Planning, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He is a certified Strategic Management Professional.

Dr. Rosen can be available for phone interviews by appointment.

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Additional Links

Contributions of San Diego companies to the Orion test launch: 

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/dec/09/navy-returns-nasas-orion-spacecraft-after-test-fli/

San Diego Composites' media release for the Orion test launch:

http://www.sdcomposites.com/Media/newsarticle141210.html

Rayotek's media release for the Orion test launch:

http://rayotek.com/wpnews/sorrento-valley-glass-company-behind-nasas-orion-windows/

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About K2 Films

Recognized as leaders in Giant Screen documentary cinema, K2 Films, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of K2 Communications (K2), brings a wealth of success and experience in all aspects of production, global distribution and marketing. Additionally, K2's distribution arm counts more than 65 large screen format films in its library for non-theatrical distribution, plus more than 25 films for digital and large format theater distribution. K2 also operates the only comprehensive Giant Screen consumer/fan website, BigMovieZone.com. For more information, consult www.k2communications.com.

About Giant Screen Films
Since 1997, Giant Screen Films (GSF) has established itself as a pioneer in the large-format industry, producing and distributing films that push the boundaries of the medium. Through the magic of immersive sight and sound technologies, GSF's productions challenge the imaginations of children and adults, offering an inspiring perspective on the world and an unforgettable theater experience. Meaningful educational collaborations and partnerships extend each film's impact far beyond the theater. The company is recognized as one of the world's leading and most active large-format producers and is based in Evanston, Ill. For additional information, visit www.gsfilms.com.