Date: May 11th 2007

May 10, 2007

Allard Beutel Headquarters, Washington 202-358-4769

Lindsay Crouch Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va 757-864-3189

Kevin Crossett Jamestown 2007, Wiliamsburg, Va 757-253-4534

RELEASE: 07-111

BACK TO THE FUTURE - NASA STYLE

JAMESTOWN, Va - What do Captain John Smith and Space Shuttle Commander Rick Sturckow have in common? Or Pocahontas and NASA astronaut Suni Williams? These explorers may be separated by 400 years, but they share the same spirit of adventure and discovery

As an official partner with the Jamestown 2007 Commemoration Commission, NASA will demonstrate this connection to the thousands of visitors to Jamestown, Va , May 11 - 13 for America's Anniversary Weekend

Sunday, May 13, will be a highlight of the weekend with a visit from President George W Bush NASA Administrator Michael Griffin will introduce a special message from the crew of the International Space Station, which includes Williams, during the president's visit

NASA will debut an interactive exhibit that highlights the connections between settlers in Virginia almost 400 years ago and NASA's plans to explore space and establish a presence on other worlds This exhibit gives visitors the chance to make a personalized "Space Postcard;" be photographed as an astronaut or settler; and win prizes for participating in a NASA trivia game

America's long-term exploration policy, the Vision for Space Exploration, is working to return humans to the moon and develop the tools needed to further explore Earth, the moon, Mars and beyond The road to discovery, much like the path to Jamestown, involves searching for water, accommodating human needs, developing new forms of transportation and establishing a settlement or space colony These four themes will be demonstrated through interactive displays and hands-on activities in the NASA exhibit

America's Anniversary Weekend is the national observance of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown - the first permanent English colony in America The weekend will feature historical interpretations, demonstrations, musical performances and educational displays

In June, a little piece of history will hitch a ride on space shuttle Atlantis during its next mission, targeted for launch on June 8 A lead cargo tag, dating back to the 1600s, is tucked inside a box in the shuttle's middeck The tag is the only thing found in 13 years by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities archeological digs at Jamestown Island that contains the word "Yames Towne" on it The tag's trip celebrates the link between explorers past and present

For details on America's Anniversary Weekend, visit:

http://www Americas400thAnniversary com

For more information on NASA, visit:

http://www nasa gov

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