Tennessee Aquarium Newsroom

Space Station astronaut launches new IMAX film
"Space Station 3D" at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX® 3D Theater

What: The national premiere of "Space Station 3D" is April 17 in Washington, D.C. The Tennessee Aquarium IMAX® 3D Theater IMAX is the first in the region to premiere the film, which opens in Chattanooga on April 20. "Space Station" is the first-ever IMAX 3D space filmed in space. It was filmed and directed by astronauts and cosmonauts of the International Space Station.

Who: Current Astronaut Frank Culbertson will help launch this new film locally and can share his account of his own mission aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 3. The Expedition 3 crew launched on Aug. 10, 2001 aboard STS-105 Space Shuttle Discovery and docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Aug. 12, 2001. Culbertson lived and worked aboard the station for a total of 125 days, and was in command of the station for 117 days.

Source Availability: Culbertson will be in Chattanooga on the following dates. To schedule an appearance, call (423) 785-3007 or (423) 785-3011.

April 17 -- EVENING ONLY -- for a film preview followed by a presentation for Aquarium members in the auditorium (not in the IMAX Theater); 7 p.m. film; 8:15 p.m. astronaut presentation
April 18 -- ALL DAY, including media visits, interviews and live shots from the Challenger Center space station @ UTC on Palmetto St.
April 19 -- MORNING ONLY

When /Where: Media are invited to preview the film at the following times. Make a reservation by calling (423) 267-FISH.

Tuesday, April 16 -- 10 a.m., 7 & 8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17 - 7 p.m. film
8:15 p.m.auditorium presentation by Astronaut Frank Culbertson
Thursday, April 18 - - 7 p.m.

Other info: Significant space anniversaries and events during the local film launch:

April 20 - Film's "launch" date is the anniversary of the launch of Salyut 1, the first Space Station (1971)
April 20 is Astronomy Day
April 15-21 is Astronomy Week
April 21 - In 1997, the ashes of Gene Roddenberry, Gerard O'Neill and Timothy Leary sent to space on Celestis 1.

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The Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D® Theater is located in Chattanooga. Ticket prices are $7.25 per adult and $4.95 per child, ages 3-12. Admission to the Tennessee Aquarium is $12.95 per adult and $6.95 per child. Aquarium/IMAX combo tickets are $17 for adults and $10 for children. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.tnaqua.org or by phone at 1-800-262-0695. The Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX 3D® Theater are open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas and are accessible to people with disabilities. Members enjoy unlimited Aquarium visits and IMAX discounts. To join, call 267-FISH.

Space Station 3D is sponsored by Mystic Java Café and Sunny 92.3