(NAPSA)—A small resort town in Wisconsin is not where most people would expect to get a lesson in Russian space history. But that’s exactly where people have to travel to see what a MIR Space Station core module actually lookslike, inside andout. “Yes, it is a real piece of Russian space hardware,” said Tom Diehl, who brokered the difficult negotiations to acquire the 43foot long MIR core module from Russia and relocate it to America’s Heartland. “This is the only place on Earth where people can see, feel and experience the MIR.” The exhibit is on permanent display at Tommy Bartlett’s Robot World & Exploratory in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Long popular with Midwestern vacationers, the picturesque “Dells” area draws three million visitors each year, several hundred thousand of whom visit the MIRdisplay. So how did the MIR land in Wisconsin, of all places? In 1996, Tommy Bartlett, a well-known Visitors can experience this real MIR Space Station core module at Tommy Bartlett’s Robot World & Exploratory in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. power, scientific research capabilities and docking area. Though three MIR core modules werebuilt, only one madeit into space before the end of the Soviet Union’s space program. The Robot World MIR is “From the start of our project, we have watched the progress of the MIR mission and have been used as a reference source along the way,” said Diehl. “During the summerof 1997, when a Russian entertainment and tourism pro- one of two remaining core modules built to the same specifications as trying to sell a real MIR core module. Bartlett thought it would be a warehousedin Russia. The MIR has been an extremely features interactive scientific and educational exhibits, so he bought ment at Robot World nearly four years ago. In the coming months, first American astronautto live on the MIRin space, served as a con- much moresignificant, since the most famous MIR—the one in way for the new multi-national the exhibit. The Robot World MIR is set up to give visitors a physical orbited on March 6, 2001. The 15year-old space station is expected pects will boost interest in the tors experience slight dizziness phere, leaving the Robot World MIRasthe last remaining tangible moter, learned that a Moscow museum in need of money was good fit for Robot World, which it. Dr. Norman E. Thagard, the sultant to ensure authenticity of sense of life in space. Somevisi- andloss of balance. The MIR Space Station is com- prised of several modules connected together in space. The 20.4ton MIR core module is the heart of the entire structure, providing the living quarters, life support, supply ship collided with the MIR the orbiting MIR. The other is in space, CNN sent a crew to Robot World and brought in Dr. popular exhibit since its install- near catastrophe andto follow the however, it is likely to become Thagard to use our MIR exhibit to explain what happened with the repair workasit occurred.” Although it has been a bumpy ride, the MIR program paved the space—is scheduled to be de- effort to build an International Space Station, which Diehl ex- to burn up in the Earth’s atmos- Robot World exhibit. “People seem to have a natural symbol of the once-proud Soviet living in space,” said Diehl. space program. “Tt will be sad to see the MIR come down,” said Diehl, who, after Bartlett’s death two years ago, became ownerofthe corporation. curiosity about space travel and are drawn to the uniqueness of TommyBartlett’s Robot World & Exploratory is open daily, year round. For more information, please call (608) 254-2525 or visit www.tommybartlett.com.
