What if… YOU could go to Mars? You can.
Our longest-time clients may remember our Outreach Advisor, Charles, from his days when he also drove our Courtesy Shuttle and talked about the hypothetical Mars Museum he wanted to build. There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since then, and though we don’t have a Courtesy Shuttle for now, we do have an update on the Mars project. It looks like The Mars Leap may be moving from drawing board to reality! Here’s what it’s all about…
More than 50 years ago, every person on the planet followed Apollo because each one absolutely knew their future lay in space. Today humans are leaving orbit again, but ‘Space’ is either mired in bureaucracy or a playground for the rich. It’s ‘their’ space program, not ‘our’ space program, and few people have a personal connection to space at all. The dreams seem different.
But suppose someone could watch the sun rise over a Martian mountain… just once… what would the dreams be like then?
The Mars Leap is designed to give each visitor a taste of their own possible future in Space and then give them tools to make it a reality. It’s a travelling, immersive, interactive, educational exhibit for large regional science museums, letting visitors join a mission to scout the first Martian colonies.
They’ll live the experience from training and planning through liftoff and millions of miles of vacuum to Mars. They’ll ponder the Red Planet from an orbiting space station before dropping to the hostile surface where they’ll learn, firsthand, what it will take to shape humanity’s next frontier.
The Mars Leap offers a powerful educational and inspirational experience for visitors of all ages, but it’s a unique opportunity for sponsors as well. It will reach an audience of millions over a 10-year lifetime, offering an unprecedented way for companies to connect with the next generation of engineering talent and people who can become evangelists for humanity’s future in space.
Exhibit Features:
- Environmental and equipment simulations combine with scenic elements, A/V systems, computers, graphics, scale models, and more to convey the experience and emotional power of a real Mars mission
- Compelling storyline and challenging educational content create a unique educational experience
- $2 million, 5000 sq.ft., 2-year Design&Build
- Likely audience of millions in a 10-year lifetime
- Dr. Robert Zubrin, creator of the Mars Direct mission architecture that revolutionized Mars planning, is a primary content resource
- Open-ended exhibit scenarios enable unusual emphasis on collaboration, planning, and balancing of competing priorities
- Integrated computer systems can tailor content to a wide age range, and can be updated with the most current Mars information
Heavy emphasis on Community Outreach for participating museums- Budget provides for STEM scholarships throughout exhibit lifetime
- Highly desirable and popular topic for Museums
- Attractive subject matter and venue for Sponsors
- Prime Sponsorship by the International Mars Society
A plea for support
The Mars Leap has already garnered sponsorship from the prestigious International Mars Society, but it will take both individual donations and corporate sponsorships to make it a reality. Moving beyond the concept means moving into fundraising, so we’ve been forced to ask everyone we can for money. If you can help through your direct financial support, no matter how small, please go to TheMarsLeap.com (it’s a 501c3) to contribute. Please and thank you!
But if you can’t help with money, that’s OK. Most people will be most useful by spreading the word (maybe sharing this article?) within our own networks. As a great example, Tom Dwyer Automotive was generous enough to let us run this article in the newsletter! (Thanks Tom!) But if you want to see The Mars Leap happen, your connections could make the difference… if you aren’t the person to be a Sponsor, maybe you know the person or company who could. They can join us now, in the earliest phases, when they have the most power in shaping the goals and direction of the final experience.
How to Learn More
As you can imagine, there’s a lot more to tell you about The Mars Leap. Much of the information is on our website, TheMarsLeap.com, and Charles Letherwood would be eager to talk with you, your group, or your company about any questions or suggestions you might have. Contact info is on the website too, but you can reach him at TheMarsLeap@TheMarsLeap.com.
NASA hopes to be on Mars sometime in ‘the 2030’s’, China and SpaceX are planning for 2033, but The Mars Leap will have people on Mars in the next two years … with your help. If you’d like to join the team through your time, talent, or sponsorship, we invite you to join us on the next frontier!
