Mission Flight VR Experience Opens at Cleveland Science Centre
Visitors to the Great Lakes Science Centre can now take part in virtual reality journeys that simulate space missions, lunar investigation and aviation adventures through the newly opened Mission Flight VR Experience.
The attraction has been introduced at the Cleveland venue as an addition to its NASA-focused offerings. It complements the existing NASA Glenn Visitor Centre, which features the history of space exploration, Ohio astronauts, and research conducted at NASA Glenn Research Centre.
The new experience is designed to place guests in the centre of a range of immersive adventures without leaving downtown Cleveland. The attraction aims to give visitors a sense of what it is like to take part in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related exploration activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to most people.
One of the featured experiences is “Spacewalk: Danger in Orbit VR”. The programme transports participants into space and provides close-up views of Earth and the International Space Station. Visitors begin the experience aboard a space shuttle before moving outside the station to carry out an inspection while floating high above the planet.
The experience uses a 360-degree virtual environment, permitting participants to look in every direction throughout the journey. Although visitors remain on the ground, immersive visuals combined with a motion platform simulate some of the sensations linked with space missions.
“Spacewalk: Danger in Orbit VR” forms part of a rotating selection of virtual reality adventures available through the attraction.
Another experience, “Apollo 11 & Beyond”, places visitors aboard a Saturn V rocket and recreates events linked to humanity’s first steps on the Moon. The programme allows participants to witness key moments from the historic mission through a virtual reality environment.
The attraction also includes “Cosmos Coaster”, which takes visitors on an expedition through the Solar System. The experience offers a fast-paced virtual trip through space, using motion effects to enhance the simulation.
A further programme, “Wing Walker”, places participants on the wing of a biplane as it performs aerial stunts during an air show. The experience recreates the perspective of standing on the aircraft as it performs in-flight manoeuvres.
The Mission Flight VR Experience provides access to environments and situations that few people are likely to encounter in real life. Visitors can experience a simulated spacewalk outside the International Space Station, travel aboard a Saturn V rocket and take part in aviation-themed adventures through virtual reality technology.
The attraction shows a growing trend among museums and science centres that use virtual reality to provide experiences that would otherwise be impossible for visitors to access directly.
For the Great Lakes Science Centre, the technology functions as another way to encourage interest in science, engineering and exploration. The attraction expands the centre’s existing range of space-related experiences and educational activities.
The Mission Flight VR Experience is available as a ticketed attraction. Admission costs $12 per person, while Science Centre members can access the experience for $10.
Tickets are available for purchase online, at the box office and at the attraction during a visit to the Great Lakes Science Centre.
