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Flagstaff-area families are invited to celebrate the season two premiere of Space Racers – preschoolers’ favorite rocket cadets – on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. at the U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Participants will be treated to special space-themed giveaways, a private Space Racers screening and will be part of the official countdown to the series premiere blast-off on Sprout, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s 24-hour preschool network.

The USGS Astrogeology Science Center is serving as an official “Mission Support Center” along with several other space museums nationwide. Retired NASA astronaut and Space Shuttle commander Robert L. “Hoot” Gibson will livestream the countdown on Space Racers Facebook page starting at 2:45 p.m. from “Mission Control” at The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Participants at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center will join the Commander by calling into Launch Control and counting down to the premiere blast-off on Sprout.

Three astrogeology planetary scientists served as science advisors for Space Racers. “Having experts like Moses Milazzo, Lauren Edgar and Ryan Anderson vet our stories and scripts helped to ensure the show’s scientific accuracy,” said Allan Neuwirth, producer and head writer of Space Racers. “Our motto is 'real rocket science!' and the USGS science and space expertise was invaluable in helping us achieve our mission!” 

In addition to the Launch Day celebrations, Space Racers has kicked-off a nationwide contest to engage future astronauts. Parents are invited to bring their children to the USGS Astrogeology Science Center from now until Nov. 6 to submit a photo of their young ones in front of the official Space Racers banner. Participants will have the chance to win an all-expenses paid, grand prize trip to Space Camp for their family or a one-year family membership to a science museum. Participants can also enter online.

Season two of Space Racers features some of NASA’s most famous scientific explorations, including Mercury’s MESSENGER probe, the Voyager One spacecraft, and Mars rovers Curiosity, Opportunity and Spirit. The groundbreaking animated series introduces girls and boys to exciting, humorous tales of action & adventure in space, on Earth and on other planets in our solar system.

Space Racers is collaborating in a partnership with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Space Camp, to which NASA serves as technical and educational consultant pursuant to a cooperative agreement.

The USGS Astrogeology Science Center is participating in this event as part of the PLANETS project, a collaborative partnership with Northern Arizona University’s Center for Science Teaching and Learning, and the Museum of Science in Boston. PLANETS, or Planetary Learning that Advances the Nexus of Engineering, Technology, and Science, is a NASA-funded project whose goal is to develop and disseminate out-of-school time curricula and related educator professional development modules that integrate planetary science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Learn more about the USGS Astrogeology Science Center online.

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