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For release: 04/21/03
Release #: N03-002

Speakers, laboratory tours to mark opening of new research facility
Wednesday in Huntsville

A ribbon-cutting ceremony that includes speakers and laboratory tours
will mark the grand opening of the new research annex of the National
Space Science and Technology Center in Huntsville, Ala. From its
shock-absorbing foundation to its rooftop lightning observatory, the
annex offers state-of-the-art facilities for science and engineering
research. News media interested in covering the ceremony Wednesday at
10 a.m. should contact Steve Roy.

What: A ribbon-cutting ceremony that includes speakers and laboratory
tours will mark the grand opening of the new research annex of the
National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) in Huntsville,
Ala. From its shock-absorbing foundation to its rooftop lightning
observatory, the new annex offers state-of-the-art facilities for
research in multiple science and engineering disciplines.

The first floor is constructed with a special "shock-absorbing"
foundation to protect sensitive research experiments from
disturbances such as traffic and wind vibrations. A high bay area
gives scientists space to assemble large airborne instruments.
Crowning the annex is a glass-encased observation facility on the
center's roof. Built to withstand the strain of severe weather, it
offers an ideal vantage point for observing lightning during
thunderstorms. 

The NSSTC is a partnership with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center
in Huntsville, Alabama research universities, industry and other
federal agencies.

Who: Speakers include:


U.S. Rep Bud Cramer of Alabama's 5th Congressional District
NASA Marshall Center Director Art Stephenson
University of Alabama in Huntsville President Dr. Frank Franz
When: Wednesday, April 23, 2003, 10 a.m. CDT

Where:

The National Space Science and Technology Center
320 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, Alabama

*Located in Cummings Research Park, on Sparkman Drive between
Bradford Drive and Lakeside Drive

To attend: News media interested in covering the event should contact
Steve Roy of the Marshall Media Relations Department at (256)544-0034
and should arrive at the event by 9:45 a.m. and enter through the
front entrance on Lakeside Drive. Immediately after the program,
media representatives will be able to conduct one-on-one interviews
with speakers and tour laboratory facilities. 

The NSSTC is a cooperative venture of NASA's Marshall Space Flight
Center, Alabama A & M University, Auburn University, Tuskegee
University, The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at
Birmingham, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, and The
University of South Alabama.

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