A Science Spin is a Hole-in-One in New York Hall of Science Rocket Park Mini Golf

Press Release

A Science Spin is a Hole-in-One in New York Hall of Science Rocket Park Mini Golf
6-01-09

Queens, N.Y. – Forget castles and motorized clowns – when the New York Hall of Science opens Rocket Park Mini Golf on June 20, players will need to use rocket science to make it through this miniature golf course.

With two real NASA rockets looming in the background, Rocket Park Mini Golf reveals that the same laws of motion and gravity that guide the path of a spaceship control the motion of golf balls here on Earth.

“Rocket Park Mini Golf provides opportunities for families to encounter fundamental laws of physics in the nine-hole course,” said Eric Siegel, the Hall’s director and chief content officer.

The exhibition, designed by Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership, uses vibrant colors and graphics reminiscent of the 60s Space Age. "We really enjoyed the challenge of bringing 'rocket science' down to Earth in a way that would excite and delight people of all ages, even while they learned real physics!" said Lee H. Skolnick, FAIA and Principal of Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership.

Players will explore key science concepts such as propulsion, gravity, escape velocity, launch window, gravitational assist, and more as they putt their way the through nine holes:

Launch Window – In order to reach Saturn, players must pick the right time to launch their “rocket” through turning, intersecting elliptical orbits with planets and other celestial matter that will hinder its trajectory

Blast Off! – Visitors will be challenged to shoot their ball up an inclined ramp with just the right amount of velocity to "blast off" a model rocket up a gantry

Zero Gravity – Visitors will attempt to putt their golf ball at the correct speed and path to send their ball through a loop-the-loop structure that simulates the effects of “zero” gravity
Earth’s Orbit – Players will attempt to putt their golf ball at the correct speed and angle to send their “rocket” up a ramp and into geosynchronous orbit
Space Docking – Spaceflight sometimes involves complex and exacting maneuvers and at this hole players must putt into one of four space shuttle-shaped targets on a rotating disk in order to reach an International Space Station model
Space Junk – To avoid a collision, players must putt their ball over a rotating disk cluttered with simulated “space junk”
Gravity Whip – Spacecrafts can use the gravitational pull of a planet to change their course. This hole challenges players to use gravitational assist in the form of a curving path around the Moon to curve the trajectory of their ball in the right direction towards Jupiter
Re-Entry Angle – Players must putt their ball at a proper re-entry angle through the one correct “entry area” so that their “rocket” is slowed down by the simulated atmosphere to safely land on Earth
Splash Down – Visitors will aim to shoot their golf ball across the putting green and into a skee-ball type mechanism with a model of the Earth as its main target
New Rocket Park Mini Golf-themed programs and activities will also be available this summer including rocket crafts, a special science demonstration, and birthday party offerings.

Admission to Rocket Park Mini Golf is $6 for adults and $5 for children and seniors, plus general Hall admission. Member pricing is $5 for adults and $4 for children and seniors.

Rocket Park Mini Golf is made possible with generous support from:
The Kupferberg Foundation; United States Department of Education; New York State Education Department; New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Major operating and capital support is provided by New York City through the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Office of the Queens Borough President, and the New York City Council.

Design: Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership
Construction: Big Show Construction Management

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