Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Activity Overview

JPL is a research and development center managed by the California Institute of Technology for NASA. JPL is responsible for deep space, earth, and planetary missions as well as ground and aerial robotics. The facility holds an annual free open-house weekend open for visitors and group tours on a per reservation basis.

Things to Do

• Organize a visitor day tour for up to 10 people and see full-scale replicas of the Galileo, Mars Curiosity, and Mars Pathfinder Rovers. You will also be taken to the robot assembly lab and the mission control room.
• Visit the Space Flight Operations Center and meet the scientists and engineers behind these inventions. The tour guides are all knowledgeable and informative. Note that reservations should be made 3 weeks prior to the tour date. Check their Public Tours site fore more information.
• Sign up for the annual Open House weekend which happens in October. Watch videos documenting the work in JPL, including photos of the voyages in space.
• During the open house, guests are also shown exhibits which are not usually part of the regular public tours. There's free parking, free entrance, and lots of space-related memorabilia and freebies for the visitors.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory Insider Tips

• If you're joining the annual Open House weekend, make sure to come early to avoid the crowd and the long lines. The place gets packed at around 12PM. Also wear comfortable shoes, put on some sunblock, and bring water.