Photo Descriptions
[Photo credits: Above and Beyond]
Spread Your Wings
Visitors transform their entire bodies into virtual birds, using motion-sensing technology
to manipulate their avatars, moving individually and as a flock. Here they explore the
forces of flight—lift, weight, thrust and drag—as they lean to steer, and flap and angle
their wings.
Take Flight!
A visitor examines virtual 3-D models that demonstrate key innovations in flight and the
science behind them. The visitor selects one model at a time from contemporary versions
of six different aircraft, then makes the selection fly, finds out how it works and explores
its heritage.
Full Throttle
In the “Faster” gallery, visitors apply aerodynamic principles to design their own virtual
fighter jets and then race against other would-be pilots in a high-speed flying
competition.
Shock Waves
In a fascinating virtual technology experience, visitors learn about wind tunnel science
and innovations in aerodynamics testing. Participants perform a simulated wind tunnel
test to gauge the effects of aerodynamics on high-speed flight over a range of aircraft
nose and wing types.
Elevator to Space
Visitors “ascend” to Earth’s orbit aboard a simulated space elevator of the future. During
the ascent, breathtaking scenery, digital displays and a virtual tour guide describe the
aircraft, spacecraft and natural phenomena encountered along the way.
Marathon to Mars
Through augmented-reality technology, visitors can experience firsthand the challenges
of an ultra-long-haul flight to Mars. The activity demonstrates what happens to humans’
bodies—and their psychological state—over unusually long times and distances.
Future Aircraft
Through exciting short films and models, visitors learn about amazing aircraft designs
that will or might be part of the future of flight. Flying cars, supersonic planes and ultragreen environmentally friendly craft are among the concepts explored.
Space Junk
Challengers compete with each other at “Junker” stations, each trying to eliminate the
most orbital debris surrounding Earth. In a virtual timed challenge, they can choose from
a range of possible cutting-edge solutions to get the job done.
RoboFlyers
Visitors launch their own remotely piloted design to test their skills at equipping a flyer
for a selected mission. This interactive, and accompanying models, provide a fascinating
firsthand exploration of the varied applications for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
technologies.
Future Spacecraft
Short films and models showcase some of the sensational new developments in the new
space race, such as mega rockets, solar-powered craft and laser beam-driven vehicles.
Dreams Aloft
In video interviews, young aerospace employees discuss what they do, what inspires
them, and their visions for flight one hundred years from now. Here, visitors can also
create video animation of their own dreams for the future of aerospace, and launch them
into a collective field of dreams.
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