|
||||||||||||||
|
Rochester, NY, Aug. 10, 2005 — ITT Industries' Space Systems Division today announced arrangements for a full-sized model of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the first in the next generation of major outer space orbiting observatories, to spend three days at the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC), August 26, 27 and 28. The huge structure, built and owned by Northrop Grumman Corp., will be assembled August 24-25 in the main parking lot at RMSC and displayed in the same spot for the next three days. Lights will illuminate it at night. The full-scale replica of the JWST is 80 feet long, 38 feet wide, 38 feet high, and weighs more than 10,000 pounds. Its sunshade, alone, is almost the size of a regulation tennis court. ITT worked in close conjunction with RMSC and received additional sponsorship support from Monroe County, RochesterWorks!, the Greater Rochester Visitors Association, and friends of the Museum to secure the exhibit on loan from Northrop Grumman, the prime contractor on the JWST project. As a result, Rochester residents and visitors will be among the first in the country to view the giant structure. "We are delighted to bring the JWST model to the Rochester community," said James Manchisi, president of ITT Industries' Space Systems Division. "Our 1,900 local employees are particularly proud, because our division is part of the team building this great telescope that will generate scientific discoveries that we can barely imagine today." ITT will conduct the integration and test the JWST, scheduled to be launched by NASA in 2011. RMSC President Kate Bennett said today the Museum and its Strasenburgh Planetarium will have extended hours while the model is on site, and that a series of guest speakers, special displays, and shows will help explain the mission and workings of the JWST. "The Rochester Museum & Science Center is delighted to play a key role in presenting this amazing experience for our community," said Bennett. "A critical part of our mission is to inspire Rochester's workforce and get young people excited about science and technology. This is a perfect way to do just that." Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks said today: "Rochester's strong traditions in optics, education and past NASA missions make our community a fitting place for this outstanding exhibit. Monroe County, through COMIDA, is pleased to support this event and we commend ITT Industries and the Rochester Museum & Science Center for their initiative in making it possible. Through this event, area residents will have a unique opportunity to see history in the making, and to see firsthand how local companies like ITT are impacting our world." After its launch, the JWST is expected to be NASA's premier observatory for a decade, serving the needs of astronomers and pushing the frontier of knowledge. The JWST mission is a key component of NASA's Origins program, a series of linked space science missions aimed at answering fundamental questions about the origins of galaxies, stars and planets, and the possibility of habitable, Earth-like planets around nearby stars. The JWST will be launched into an orbit at a point some 940,000 miles from the Earth. On orbit, it will look far beyond the reach of current telescopes, observing objects in the near and mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Its mirror will have about six times the light-gathering capabilities of its predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope. From its point in deep space, the JWST will gather clues about what the universe was like between a million and a few billion years ago, when the first stars and galaxies began to form. Scientists are looking for answers to questions such as:  What is the shape of the universe? How do galaxies evolve? What is dark matter?
Northrop Grumman Space Technology built the model to educate and provide awareness of the JWST program. It was first exhibited in Colorado Springs in April at the National Space Symposium. The JWST program originally was called the Next Generation Space Telescope, but later was named for the late James E. Webb, NASA's director from 1961 to 1968. While Webb is best known for leading Apollo and a series of lunar exploration programs that landed the first humans on the Moon, he also initiated a vigorous space science program responsible for more than 75 launches during his tenure. About ITT Industries ITT Industries, Inc. (www.itt.com) supplies advanced technology products and services in key markets including: fluid and water management including water treatment; defense communication, opto-electronics, information technology and services; electronic interconnects and switches; and other specialty products. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, the company generated $5.63 billion in 2003 sales and employs approximately 36,000 people around the world. In addition to the New York Stock Exchange, ITT Industries stock is traded on the London, Midwest, Pacific, Paris and Frankfurt exchanges. About the Rochester Museum & Science Center The RMSC Museum offers family-oriented interactive activities that make science fun and bring Rochester's heritage to life. The Strasenburgh Planetarium unites the worlds of science and theater in a unique environment. Visitors to the Cumming Nature Center in Naples experience and enjoy miles of thematic trails, nature films, art exhibits and seasonal activities. Children and adults celebrate and discover Rochester as they explore the worlds of science and technology, the natural environment and our region's cultural heritage. Editor's Note: For additional information about the event go to: http://www.ssd.itt.com/jwst/ For additional information about ITT Industries Space Systems visit our Web site at http://www.ssd.itt.com For additional information about the Rochester Museum & Science Center and activities and speakers around this event visit http://www.rmsc.org © ITT Industries, 2005. |
|||||||||||||
 |
|
|