Georgia museum to host final space shuttle launch viewing

If you are unable to attend the historic final space shuttle launch this week, north Georgia's Tellus Science Museum will host a special launch day event for the public.

Tellus Science Museum showcases the sciences of astronomy, geology, prehistoric artifacts, space and aviation in beautiful exhibit halls.

Tellus' Joe Schulman states that the show will begin at 11 a.m. for both members and visitors to the museum which is located in Cartersville, just off of Interstate 75.

The large movie screen will show live NASA TV of the prelaunch activities leading up to and thru the launch. As the visitors watch, space shuttle experts will be on hand to discuss what to expect as the the minutes tick away.

As launch time nears, museum curator Julian Gray will broadcast live from the space center with launch updates, while museum astronomer David Dundee talks about past historic flights by the shuttle program.

Launch of Atlantis on NASA's 135th space shuttle flight is set for this Friday, July 8 at 11:26:46 a.m. EDT, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Mr. Schulman told this aerospace reporter that the launch date is subject to change, and to follow news on the launch before arriving on Friday.

The first launch was that of Columbia in April 1981, and since then the space shuttle's huge payload bay allowed NASA to launch space telescopes and planetary probes, link up with Russia's Mir space station and construct the International Space Station.

The price of the launch viewing is free to members and is included in the normal admission price for visitors.

The museum's theater can support nearly 200 guests, and large television monitors outside the theater will also broadcast the final space shuttle launch.

Located northwest of Atlanta just off exit 293 and I-75 in Cartersville, this science museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center is closed on July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day.

With the arrival of summer, Tellus is a fun-filled, inexpensive option for those looking for a short day trip with the children.

Visit the Tellus web site for the latest on membership, guest pricing, directions and schedule information.

(Follow Charles Atkeison via Twitter @AbsolutSpaceGuy for real time aerospace news and updates.)