Space Exploration Weekend
Space Exploration Weekend
Celebrate National Space Day (May 1) all weekend at The Tech.
Experience hands-on space programming, watch Space: The New Frontier in IMAX®, and ride the Jet Pack Chair as we kick off its send-off celebration.
What's Included:
✓ Hands-on space activities
✓ IMAX: Space: The New Frontier screenings
✓ Jet Pack Chair experience
✓ 50+ interactive exhibits across two floors
Perfect for aspiring astronauts ages 5 and up.
Space Weekend Key Details
Who
Perfect for aspiring astronauts ages 5 and up. Whether you're a space-obsessed 8-year-old who dreams of becoming an astronaut or a curious adult who grew up watching the Apollo missions, Space Exploration Weekend offers something for everyone in the family.
Cost
$38: Adults
$28: Children (3-17), students, and seniors (65+)
FREE: Members
What
Space Exploration Weekend (May 1-3) is the Bay Area's premier family-friendly space event, celebrating humanity's return to the Moon through NASA's Artemis program. This three-day event invites kids and adults to experience real space science through interactive activities.
From designing postcards that will actually launch into space to building sustainable habitats for Mars missions, live out your astronaut dreams right here in Downtown San Jose.
Space: The New Frontier & Deep Space showing in IMAX all weekend
See, hear, and feel our vast universe with 9,000+ square feet of wraparound image and 13,000 watts of digital surround sound. Our Dome Theater transforms space documentaries into immersive experiences. Check out Space: The New Frontier or Deep Space in IMAX from May 2-3. One educational IMAX screening is included with admission.
Space: The New Frontier
With the dawning of a second golden age of space, pioneers and visionaries from private companies, NASA, and international space agencies push the boundaries of space exploration, expanding scientific and engineering limits to enhance life on Earth. Narrated by Chris Pine.
Deep Sky
Deep Sky brings the awe-inspiring images captured by NASA's Webb Telescope to IMAX® — taking audiences on a journey to the beginning of time and space, to never-before-seen cosmic landscapes, and to recently discovered exoplanets, planets around other stars.
Hands-On Space Activities
For space-obsessed kids (and adults).
- Jet Pack Chair Leaderboard Lower Level Can you reach orbit? Test your skills on our jetpack simulator and compete for the top score on our weekend leaderboard. Experience the physics of thrust and trajectory while having a blast.
- Postcards to Space Lower Level Send your art to space (literally). Design a custom postcard that will launch aboard Blue Origin's next spacecraft, traveling higher than any mail has ever gone. After your creation returns from its cosmic journey, it will be stamped "Flown to Space" and mailed to your home.
- Space Expert Meet-and-Greet Lower Level Meet Dana Backman, an astrophysics researcher at Kitt Peak Observatory in Arizona and NASA Ames in California. Starting in 2003, he was employed by the SETI Institute in Mountain View as director of education and public outreach for NASA's SOFIA airborne observatory.
- Space Origami Engineering Lower Level Fold the future of space exploration. Discover how NASA scientists use origami principles to fit massive telescopes and solar panels into rockets. Get hands-on folding a life-sized starshade model, then challenge yourself to create your own space-inspired origami designs using real engineering techniques.
- Storytime: Mae Among the Stars Curiosity Corner Be inspired by a real space pioneer. Join us for a read-aloud of Mae Among the Stars, the true story of Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space. Perfect for young explorers ages 3-8 who dream big.
- Nebula Spin Art Activity Lower Level Create your own glowing galaxy. Use centrifugal force and neon colors to spin a cosmic masterpiece you can take home. This mesmerizing art activity combines physics with creativity. Watch how the results look like real nebula photographs from the Hubble telescope.
- Mars Pod Habitat Challenge Tech Studio Become a Martian architect. Help design humanity's future on the Red Planet! Use magnetic geometric pieces to construct a habitat that can be launched compact and expanded on Mars. Test your engineering skills while learning real challenges NASA faces in preparing for human Mars missions.
- Astronaut & Space Suit Photo Op Lower Level Step into an astronaut's boots. Strike a pose in our astronaut photo experience, then dive into the fascinating science of space suits: from temperature regulation to radiation protection. Learn what it really takes to survive in the vacuum of space.
- Design Your Constellation Lower Level Create an original constellation and write its story (just like ancient astronomers did!). Then test it our in our Space Exploration area to see your stars come to life.
- Copy, Moon Joy: Artemis Photo Scavenger Hunt Search the museum for 10 hidden photos taken from the Artemis II mission and record where you find each one. Find them all and bring your completed sheet to The Tech Store to claim your prize!
Plan Your Visit To Space
Getting to The Tech Interactive
Address: 201 S. Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Parking: The Tech Interactive offers parking validation to visitors at the parking garages San Jose McEnery Convention Center and 2nd and San Carlos Garage. For more information, visit San Jose Downtown Parking.
- San Jose McEnery Convention Center (150 W. San Carlos St.) entrances on Almaden Blvd. and Market Street: Weekday and weekend validation. Parking info >>
- 2nd and San Carlos Garage (288 S. 2nd St.): Weekday and weekend validation. Parking info >>
Public Transit:
- VTA Light Rail: Convention Center station (2-block walk)
- Caltrain: San Jose Diridon (15-min walk or VTA connection)
- Multiple VTA bus lines serve downtown
How Long to Plan
Most families spend 3-4 hours experiencing Space Weekend activities plus exploring permanent exhibits. Add 45 minutes if watching an IMAX film. Plan for 4-5 hours for the full experience.
Food & Amenities
- On-site café with sandwiches, snacks, beverages
- You may bring outside food (designated picnic area)
- Free WiFi throughout
- Family restrooms available
- Stroller parking provided
- Water bottle refill stations
Space Weekend FAQ
- Is Space Exploration Weekend appropriate for toddlers? Yes! While some activities are designed for ages 8+, we have several all-ages experiences including Postcards from Space, Nebula Spin Art, Astronaut Photo Ops, and Mae Jemison Storytime (perfect for ages 3-8). The entire museum is toddler-friendly with age-appropriate exhibits throughout.
- Do I need to buy separate tickets for IMAX? No! IMAX screenings of Space: The New Frontier are included with Space Exploration Weekend admission. Simply check the daily schedule when you arrive and plan your visit around available showtimes.
- Can we do all the activities in one day? Yes! Most space activities take 15-30 minutes each. With 4-6 hours at the museum, families can comfortably experience all space activities plus explore permanent exhibits and catch an IMAX showing.
- Is Space Exploration Weekend crowded? Weekend events at The Tech are popular, especially Saturday afternoons. For the best experience with shorter wait times, we recommend arriving right at opening (10 AM) or visiting on Friday.
- Can I really send something to space? Yes! The Postcards from Space program partners with Blue Origin to include participant designs on an upcoming flight. Your postcard will travel beyond the Kármán line (the boundary of space at 100 km altitude), return to Earth, receive an official "Flown to Space" stamp, and be mailed to you (typically 6-8 weeks after the flight).
- Can we celebrate a birthday during Space Exploration Weekend? Yes! Space Exploration Weekend makes an incredible birthday celebration. Contact our Group Reservations team to add special experiences like reserved party space, birthday recognition, and more.
- I can't make it! When is the next event? Sign up for our email newsletter to receive updates about other upcoming events.