Pennsylvania's first museum dedicated exclusively to space will launch in the Steel City.
Space robotics company Astrobotic, located on the Northside, is expecting to open the "Moonshot Museum" in the summer of 2022.
The company says the museum will feature a large clean room window that allows visitors to watch real lunar landers and rovers bring built.
In addition, they hope to inspire visitors and teach them about career paths in the space industry.
“Space is more than just rocket science. We want to provide the ‘spark’ – that moment when an individual is inspired to pursue a space or tech career who may not have otherwise done so. For Astrobotic, success is as much about execution of its other-worldly missions and business as it is about engaging with and serving the communities it is a part of,” said John Thornton, Astrobotic CEO and Chair of the Moonshot Museum’s Board of Directors.
“It's about creating STEAM opportunities that will change a child's life,” said Bill Peduto, Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh. “Looking in through that clean room window, they’ll be able to see something that will leave this planet, and they’ll be changed forever. It's about bringing the Moon to Pittsburgh.”
“When you mention space, people think of different things. Whether it’s stars, planets, astronauts, or engineers, a common theme is the persistence of curiosity. Curiosity is a spark that can either catch fire or fizzle out – and we want it to catch!” said Sam Moore, Executive Director of the Moonshot Museum. “Fostering confidence for those traditionally under-represented in STEAM is of vital importance.”
Learn more about the museum by visiting their website, moonshotmuseum.org.