DOWNEY - Future Virgin Galactic astronauts will be at the Columbia Memorial Space Center this Tuesday, where they will chat with local students and fly a Challenger Center mission.The event also includes a live Google Hangout session, presented by the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, in partnership with Galactic Unite and Virgin Atlantic. The future astronauts and Virgin Galactic representatives will participate in a question-and-answer session with students from Unsworth Elementary and four other Challenger Learning Centers from across the country. Afterwards, the future astronauts will fly a Challenger Center mission with students and speak to them about the importance of STEM education. "We are thrilled and excited to welcome members of the Challenger Center and Virgin Galactic to our wonderful space center," said Mayor Mario Guerra. "This will be a great opportunity for our youth to learn more about the many wonders of space and about the fascinating world of STEM education. "We are very proud of what our space center has to offer and how it continues to inspire the next generation of future space explorers," Guerra added. For questions or information, call (562) 231-1200 or go online to columbiaspacescience.org. The space center, a 20,000 square foot facility, is located at 12400 Columbia Way. It was built by the city of Downey as a tribute to the seven members of the Space Shuttle Columbia who died in 2003.

********** Published: Nov. 28, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 33