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Take a journey alongside NASA astronaut Captain James A. Lovell, Jr. in [URL=http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/journey-with-lovell/]A Journey with Jim Lovell[/URL] — the summer preview of the first gallery of the Adler's new exhibition [b]Shoot for the Moon[/b]. This permanent exhibition tells the inspiring story of astronaut Jim Lovell's life and career using artifacts from his personal collection. The fully-restored Gemini 12 spacecraft flown by Captain Lovell and Buzz Aldrin in 1966 is the centerpiece of a multimedia show celebrating the Gemini 12 mission and America's race to the Moon. "I hope this exhibit introduces young people to the thrill of space exploration," said Lovell. "The Gemini program was the gateway to the Apollo program — without it, we might never have sent men to the Moon." [i]A Journey with Jim Lovell[/i] shares the story of America's first journeys into space in the 1960s as told through the powerful narrative of Lovell. It includes the personal stories of Lovell's initial failures to gain acceptance into the U.S. Naval Academy and NASA astronaut program and ultimate successes flying on four spaceflight missions and traveling to the Moon twice! Visitors will gain insights about the dramatic moments leading up to each of his Gemini missions and learn how Lovell and others risked their lives to advance scientific understanding when manned space flight was still in its infancy. "Jim Lovell is an American hero whose contributions to space science and our national pride are immeasurable," said Adler President Paul H. Knappenberger Jr. PhD. "The Adler is honored to share his important story and use his experiences to inspire the next generation of explorers." [b]If at first you don't succeed...[/b] [i]A Journey with Jim Lovell[/i] first introduces visitors to the young boy from Milwaukee who would grow up to become an American hero. They will learn about his childhood interests and find out how Lovell's perseverance as a young adult got him through a series of setbacks that included initial rejections by the Naval Academy and NASA's astronaut program. Visitors will learn about the life-threatening risks Lovell took during his time as a Navy test pilot and as astronaut in the Gemini and Apollo programs. As a teenager, Lovell discovered a passion for rocketry. What kid in his right mind would have the audacity to walk into the Michigan Avenue offices of a major chemical company to ask about purchasing the ingredients for rocket fuel? Lovell was escorted out of the building without them, after being told that they add up to gunpowder. With his passion for rocketry ignited, a young Lovell wrote to the American Rocket Society (ARS) to ask about becoming a rocket engineer. The ARS replied that Lovell should go to MIT or Cal Tech. But Lovell, raised by a single mother, could not afford those schools. Instead he applied to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, but was rejected. After the United States Navy placed Lovell on an alternate list, he decided to enter college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under the Navy's Holloway Plan, which allowed him to take flight lessons while pursing his education. After two years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Navy's ROTC program, Lovell applied to the Naval Academy again and was accepted. In 1959, after making amazing headways during this part of his life, Lovell was invited to a secret meeting to try out for a spot on America's first roster of astronaut pilots (those who would eventually become the Mercury 7). After a week of grueling tests, Lovell failed his physical exam because of a medical technicality. From his television at home, Lovell watched as the Mercury 7 were proclaimed America's first astronauts. [b]...try, try again[/b] But Lovell's perseverance eventually paid off. Three years later, in 1962, NASA again called for astronaut candidates and Lovell reapplied. This time, he passed all the tests. Jim Lovell was now officially an astronaut in training. "First, if you want to be successful as an astronaut or anything else, you have to keep trying. There will be disappointments in your life. You'll get so far and then there will be a setback. And if you let the setback overcome your drive, your willpower, then you're in trouble," said Lovell. [b]Exhibition artifacts[/b] [i]A Journey with Jim Lovell[/i] ends with a multimedia show celebrating the history-making Gemini 12 mission. State-of-the-art technology brings the spacecraft alive in a manner not seen anywhere else in the world. Designed and created by BRC Imagination Arts, the presentation plays on two large projection screens positioned above the Gemini 12 spacecraft. During the show, narrated by Lovell, visitors can relive some of the most exciting and ground-breaking moments of the Gemini 12 mission. As the show unfolds, some key features of the spacecraft are brought to life with lighting effects in and on the capsule, which are choreographed with the video and narration. Behind the spacecraft stands a floor to ceiling backlit wall featuring a breathtaking photograph of Earth taken from one of the Gemini missions. Contextual exhibits surrounding the capsule tell stories about the Gemini 12 mission and the awe- inspiring moments Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin shared during their time in space. Supporting objects, graphics, text panels and videos tell the background story of the Gemini program as a critical step on our way to landing on the Moon. In addition to the Gemini 12 spacecraft, the exhibition includes almost 30 artifacts from Captain Lovell's personal collection. Among the outstanding pieces in A Journey with Jim Lovell are: Lovell's Naval Academy term paper on using liquid fuel as a rocket propellant, his rejection letter from the Mercury Program in 1959, original flight plans and manuals flown on the Gemini 12 mission, Lovell's visual acuity test card from Gemini 7, Gemini mission patches, Lovell's handwritten Gemini training notes and a full set of Gemini space program medallions. Also included are some of the rocketry and science fiction books that inspired Lovell as a child, as well as other personal effects from his early years. Look for his handwritten diaries and personal photos, including one of his high school study group. [b]History of the exhibition[/b] On April 13, 2005, Captain Lovell announced he would consolidate his personal collection and contribute it to the Adler Planetarium. This collection included important documents, memorabilia and personal space artifacts. "The Adler inspires young and old alike to learn about space science which contributes to our national identity as a science and technology leader," Lovell said. "I can't imagine a better use of my collection than in this noble effort." Captain Lovell also helped the Adler secure the Gemini 12 spacecraft on long-term loan from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The spacecraft -- one of four flown by Lovell in his career as an astronaut -- was previously housed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. At the request of Captain Lovell, it was approved for relocation to the Adler in 2005. As part of the loan agreement, the Adler helped direct the conservation of the spacecraft. The Gemini 12 spacecraft was sent to the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, Kansas, for restoration and preservation. Restoration of the capsule, which took almost four months, included taking an inventory of the spacecraft's parts and condition, fixing some corrosion on the body, as well as some of the wear and deterioration visible on the interior. This was the third Gemini capsule the Cosmosphere's shop has restored. The others were Gemini 6 and Gemini 10. "It is an honor for the Adler to be asked to display and assist in preserving a national treasure like the Gemini 12 capsule and be able to bring it to the city of Chicago," said Knappenberger. "The fact that Captain Lovell personally flew this spacecraft and asked that it be relocated to the Adler is a testament to his commitment to exposing the thrill of space travel to a new generation." Captain Lovell personally met with restoration experts at the Cosmosphere to go over details of the work and make sure the capsule was brought back to its post-flight appearance. He helped guide both the conservation of the Gemini XII spacecraft and the development of the exhibition. "We don't want it shiny," Lovell said. "What makes this spacecraft important is that it has been to space and back. We don't want it to look brand new. We don't want it to look like a new nickel." [b]Shoot for the Moon grand opening[/b] [i]A Journey with Jim Lovell[/i] is the first, dramatic expression of the Adler Planetarium's new institutional vision to be the world's leading space science center. The museum is committed to sharing Captain Lovell's important story with today's young people. His hard work and dedication set a powerful example that will inspire the next generation of explorers. The grand opening of the full Shoot for the Moon exhibition will open to the public on Veteran's Day - November 11, 2006 - the 40th anniversary of the Gemini 12 mission. It will offer visitors the opportunity to walk in the boots of an explorer -- experiencing the thrill of trying out for the astronaut program and flying in space. The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum -- America's First Planetarium -- was founded in 1930 by Chicago business leader Max Adler. The museum has announced a new vision to be the world's premier space science center. The museum will inspire the next generation of explorers by sharing the stories of human space exploration and America's space heroes. The Adler is a recognized leader in science education, with a focus on inspiring young people, particularly women and minorities, to pursue careers in science. BRC Imagination Arts is designing and producing the new [b]Shoot for the Moon[/b] space exploration experience for the Adler Planetarium. For more than 20 years, BRC Imagination Arts has been the leader in the design, creation and production of innovative and immersive experience-based attractions for museums, experiential marketing, and cultural heritage sites worldwide.
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