SPACE: AN OUT OF GRAVITY EXPERIENCE

Between 2012 and 2015, Industrial Artisans worked closely with the Science Museum of Minnesota in the prototyping and construction of a 10,000 SF traveling exhibit entitled Space: An Out of Gravity Experience. SMM developed this exhibit in partnership with the International Space Station (ISS) office of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and its hero component was an interactive, immersive replica of a portion of the ISS. Project leaders at SMM came to Industrial Artisans in the earliest stages of concept work for this complex component to see if a prototyping phase could be devised and conducted by our experienced project leaders and fabricators. A robust motion-control system, an unconventional wiring solution, a need for uniform weight distribution, and some tricky touring logistics were just some of the challenges that were addressed in constructing this full-scale proof of concept. Ultimately, two walk-thru ISS replicas would be built at Industrial Artisans, as well as approximately 90% of the rest of the exhibit’s infrastructure. Comprised largely of aluminum box tubing, exhibit components throughout the show’s 10,000 SF footprint immersed visitors in hands-on experiences about the many challenges of living and working in space.