Galactic Getaway: A Community-Based Rocket Exhibit Model for Inspiring the Next Generation of Space Explorers

Abstract

Access to museum-quality science experiences is not evenly distributed; for many families, cost and distance place such experiences out of reach, and a child's exposure to the space industry often depends on the community they happen to live in. The Galactic Getaway program was founded to close that gap. The program brings free, museum-quality 1:144 scale metallic rocket model exhibits to public libraries, community fairs, colleges, and educational institutions across the San Francisco Bay Area, so that communities of every size and circumstance receive equal access to the launch vehicles shaping the next era of space exploration. Operated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by a high school student, the program has placed exhibits at 17 venues across four counties and reached over 60,000 visitors in person. The program uses a rotating placement model, cycling each exhibit through different communities every four to six weeks to maximize reach. The collection includes both United States and international next-generation launch vehicles. A low-cost visitor feedback system built around a tablet kiosk and a linked spreadsheet records visitor responses, and a full set of promotional materials is deployed as part of visitor engagement. Librarian feedback indicates increases in space book circulation, patron engagement, and repeat hosting requests. The Aeronautics and Astronautics department at Stanford University hosts the full collection in the Durand Building, and the Club for the Future program at Blue Origin has recognized the program's alignment with its mission to inspire future science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals. This paper describes how the program operates, where it has been deployed, the impact observed to date, and how other students could replicate the model in their own communities.