Astronauts Help Launch Disney's 'Mission Space'
Event Includes Transmission From International Space Station
POSTED: 9:36 a.m. EDT October 10, 2003
UPDATED: 12:29 p.m. EDT October 11, 2003
ORLANDO, Fla. -- All systems were "go" Thursday night in Epcot Center as Disney World launched its highly-anticipated new attraction "Mission Space" with the help of several astronauts past and present.
The visually stimulating dedication to open the attraction -- which simulates deep space flight to Mars -- included a Walter Cronkite mini-documentary on the history of flight, where the history of flight was projected on two moonlike spheres above the crowd of onlookers.
Walt Disney Co. Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner, Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and NASA President Sean O'Keefe presided over the dedication.
"The attraction remains grounded in real science -- sound theory. It's the real deal," O'Keefe said.
In addition to legendary astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell and Wally Schirra, the event was attended by two space travelers who weren't quite grounded: Russian Cosmonaut Commander Yuri Malenchenko and NASA International Space Station science officer Ed Lu. The pair beamed in remarks and well-wishes for Mission Space from the International Space Station.
"It makes me proud to represent everyone who chooses to wonder and explore the sky," Lu said. "I still remember how I felt when I was chosen to go to the International Space Station, and you know what? It's just as incredible as you think it is."
Five years and 350,000 work hours in the making, Mission Space takes Disney travelers to the International Space Training Center in the year 2036, where they are prepared for their duty by "Apollo 13" actor Gary Sinese.
The dedication of Mission Space Thursday night came on the heels of the opening of two other new Disney attractions: the 3-D attraction "Mickey's PhilharMagic" and the fireworks extravaganza "Wishes."
It's all part of Disney's event to promote the new Disney initiative "Magical Gatherings," a program that will accommodate large groups of families and friends visiting the theme parks.
The visually stimulating dedication to open the attraction -- which simulates deep space flight to Mars -- included a Walter Cronkite mini-documentary on the history of flight, where the history of flight was projected on two moonlike spheres above the crowd of onlookers.
Walt Disney Co. Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner, Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and NASA President Sean O'Keefe presided over the dedication.
"The attraction remains grounded in real science -- sound theory. It's the real deal," O'Keefe said.
In addition to legendary astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell and Wally Schirra, the event was attended by two space travelers who weren't quite grounded: Russian Cosmonaut Commander Yuri Malenchenko and NASA International Space Station science officer Ed Lu. The pair beamed in remarks and well-wishes for Mission Space from the International Space Station.
"It makes me proud to represent everyone who chooses to wonder and explore the sky," Lu said. "I still remember how I felt when I was chosen to go to the International Space Station, and you know what? It's just as incredible as you think it is."
Five years and 350,000 work hours in the making, Mission Space takes Disney travelers to the International Space Training Center in the year 2036, where they are prepared for their duty by "Apollo 13" actor Gary Sinese.
The dedication of Mission Space Thursday night came on the heels of the opening of two other new Disney attractions: the 3-D attraction "Mickey's PhilharMagic" and the fireworks extravaganza "Wishes."
It's all part of Disney's event to promote the new Disney initiative "Magical Gatherings," a program that will accommodate large groups of families and friends visiting the theme parks.
Previous Stories:
- October 9, 2003: Disney World Debuts 2 New Attractions
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