Ohio Space Week
Ohio has been at the forefront of aerospace innovation for generations, from the Wright brothers’ first flight to pioneering advancements in space exploration. Ohio Space Week celebrates the state’s deep-rooted contributions to the aeronautics and space industries, highlighting the people, institutions, and businesses that continue to shape the future of flight and exploration. Throughout the week, events will showcase how space technology impacts everything from national security to transportation and scientific discovery. Students, professionals, and space enthusiasts can engage in hands-on activities, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Join us to celebrate Ohio’s aerospace legacy, past, present, and future!
Discovery Days
September 12-13, 2025
FREE general admission on both days for all guests sponsored by:
Cleveland is home to NASA’s Glenn Research Center, the only NASA center in the Midwest and a vital contributor to nearly every NASA mission. Join us for an immersive experience as NASA Glenn works to transform aviation, revolutionize space exploration, and inspire new discoveries for the benefit of all. Learn first-hand about NASA’s major missions and cutting-edge technology during NASA Discovery Days. Designed to bring NASA and NASA Glenn outside the gate, attendees can expect virtual and augmented simulations to take a supersonic flight and venture into outer space. They will be able to meet real NASA stars, engineers, scientists, and special guests, who make the seemingly impossible, possible!
- Join NASA astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams for a special presentation at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 12, to kick off Discovery Days in the Great Lakes Science Center’s Dome Theater. This special presentation is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock will be available Friday, Sept. 12, and Saturday, Sept. 13, for meet and greets throughout the day.
Guests are encouraged to start their Discovery Day experience at NASA GO!, the official welcome station. Guests can learn about the interactive activities taking place throughout the Science Center, meet staff from NASA’s Glenn Research Center, get information about internship opportunities, grab an Ohio astronaut poster and start their NASA Go! journey to collect vintage postcards and Artemis boot pins. Other activities include:
- Resource Recovery Rover Mission - “Drive” a small rover into an 8-foot crater to accomplish a mission and then back out before running out of power.
- Aeronautics Adventure – “Ride” in a supersonic test plane and experience a sonic thump, see a wind tunnel demo, touch “ice” on a S-3B Viking airplane wing that was tested in Glenn’s Icing Research Tunnel, and learn about NASA’s role in the safety of future flight using AR/VR goggles showing air traffic and aerospace communications.
- Cosmic Connections – Learn about the value NASA provides to everyday life through interactive kiosks and NASA spinoff publications. Then, strike a pose in our cosmic selfie station.
- Suited for Space – NASA’s new “Suits and Boots” exhibit is making its Ohio debut. See five past, present and future spacesuits in the Evolution of the Spacesuit exhibit and learn the story of human space exploration and its evolution. Pick your boots for the next Artemis mission and step into an astronaut’s shoes at the Artemis Boots exhibit. Plus, “try on” various spacesuits with an astrosuit virtual demonstration to learn about spacesuit technology and test your knowledge on our interactive kiosks.
- The Drop Stop – See a real science experiment in the drop tower exhibit, demonstrating microgravity and its impact on crucial NASA research.
- Mars Habitat – Check out a new AR/VR demo that takes you into a possible greenhouse on Mars.
- Make It, Take It – Make your own zipper pull at Glenn’s Machine Shop mobile trailer.