“Why Space Matters to the Future” Video Contest Announced

The Coalition for Space Exploration and NASA Visitor Centers Consortium Launch National Contest

HOUSTON, Texas — Space exploration has challenged, inspired, and improved us for more than half a century. Today, the Coalition for Space Exploration in partnership with the recently-formed NASA Visitor Centers Consortium announced an expansion of the Coalition’s “Why Space Matters to the Future” video contest that encourages residents of the United States to visualize what life will be like in 10, 25, or 50 years if the boundaries of space continue to expand.

Entrants submit a short video that captures their vision of why the exploration of space matters and how it will benefit future generations. Three winners will receive a VIP trip to one of three NASA’s visitor centers: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Alabama or Space Center Houston in Texas. Winning videos will also be shared with the general public and national leaders throughout the nation.

“NASA and the space industry are on the threshold of a new era of global space exploration and this promotion is a fantastic opportunity for the public to get involved,” said Bill Moore, chief operating officer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. We look forward to this spring contest opening the door for more ways for the public to personally engage in the adventure of space exploration.”

VisitNASA.com is a terrific resource for planning a trip to any of the NASA Visitor Centers. From March 1- Apr. 7, entrants can upload their videos and share them with family and friends. Public voting takes place from Apr. 8-14, with number of votes accrued being one criterion that will be used by the panel of judges. Three winners will be announced on April 17.

The Coalition has hosted similar video competitions in recent years, but on a smaller scale.

“It is amazing to take a successful concept to the next level and engage the millions of guests that follow us online and visit NASA’s visitor centers each year,” said George Torres, chairman of the Coalition. “Some people think the U.S. space program is ending, which couldn’t be further from the truth. This contest engages the public during an important time, giving them a powerful voice to our nation’s leaders.”

For more information, contest rules and video uploading instructions, go to VisitNASA.com.

About the Coalition for Space Exploration

The Coalition for Space Exploration is a group of space industry businesses and advocacy groups that collaborates to ensure that the United States remains the leader in space, science and technology by reinforcing the value and benefits of space exploration with the public and our nation’s leaders, and building lasting support for a long-term, sustainable strategic direction for space exploration. For more information visit: http://spacecoalition.com/

About the NASA Visitor Centers Consortium

The visitor centers all support NASA’s mission and goals of maintaining the integrity of NASA’s memorable past, present and future; increase public interest in math and science careers through educational and mentoring programs as well as promoting the extensive benefits of space exploration. For more information visit: http://www.visitnasa.com/

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