Suited for Space officially open at Space Center

The exhibit, which ends its run on April 22, takes the entire second floor of the Columbia Memorial Space Center and showcases items borrowed from the Smithsonian. One suit on display is an exact replica of one worn by Buzz Aldrin, the second person to set foot on the moon.

Just as the name implies, the exhibit lays out historic photos, diagrams and parts of space suits used over the years as early as 1969 up to the more modern suits used in the Apollo missions.

Actual space suits used in NASA missions were not on display because they are extremely delicate and will deteriorate when exposed to light for extended periods of time, center staffer Jared Head said.

In addition to the space suits, an interactive room where children can experience mock space missions from a control room sits right next to the exhibit. They are instructed to use science and math to help astronauts steer clear of dangerous situations – whether if it involves flying through meteorites or fixing carbon dioxide filters.

“It’s really hard to teach these high science concepts,” Head said. “It takes a lot of effort to do that.”

Head, 23, has been working at the center for two years and is studying earth and space science at Cerritos College. He shares his expertise to the space center and plans to study geology at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

“There’s nothing more exciting than sending people to space,” he said.

Another room houses what the interior of a space craft would look like. Guests can use the computers, examine replicas of Martian rocks and manipulate a robotic arm.

About 100 students and parents came to see the new exhibit Thursday morning, according to staff.

“It is a great educational experience,” Bill Chapman, who came with his wife and two grand children, said of the new remote-controlled rovers. “They really enjoyed that.”

Mimicking the rigid surface of Mars, toy-sized cars have been modified to look similar to the Martian rovers. Visitors can remotely control the four-wheeled miniatures in the square pit, filled with sand and rocks.

“I was coming out of work, and I saw the signs so I thought I’d come by and check it out,” said Alex Espinoza, who recently made an earlier trip to Washington D.C. to see the Smithsonian.

“We joke and say we’re Downey’s most well kept secret,” Head said. “Hopefully, that changes soon.”

The space center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. “Great Balls of Fire” will be the next exhibit and will showcase everything asteroids, comets and meteors. Staff anticipate it to open in mid May.