The Space Foundation's Discovery Center is preparing for a major new attraction — a full-scale model of the James Webb Space Telescope.
The Space Foundation announced Northrop Grumman gifted the $1 million model to the Discovery Center during Space Symposium this week.
"James Webb is a one-of-a-kind instrument that is going to revolutionize the way we look at the universe and if we can show people physically what that instrument looks like it's a way of inspiring generations of people to better understand our universe," said Space Foundation spokesman Rich Cooper, in an interview Tuesday.
The model traveled the world for over a decade to raise awareness about the telescope in orbit and its mission to answer some big questions such as — "What did the early universe look like? When did the first stars and galaxies emerge?" according to the European Space Agency.
The new model is part of a large-scale remodel of the Discovery Center that will also feature a drone zone, 3D printing lab and upgrades to its Mars Robotics Laboratory and Science on a Sphere displays. The center is slated to reopen June 1.
The nonprofit is launching a fundraising effort to build the three-story model a new home, according to a news release.
The Space Foundation also announced Tuesday that RTX, formerly Raytheon, provided a $150,000 grant for the Discovery Center remodel.
A news release described the grant as an investment in education.
A model of the James Webb Space Telescope.
“As we chart our course toward the moon and beyond, the need for skilled talent to drive this pivotal mission has never been more important, especially here in Colorado, a key space hub,” said Melissa Patton, Space Foundation vice president of education.
In addition to the remodel, the grant will support free visits to the Space Foundation for K-12 students and teachers from Title 1 and military-connected schools in Colorado along with leadership exchange programs for high school students and young professionals.
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