Vistancia Hosts Atlas Rocket Booster Engine

Date Published: Jun 14, 2004

VISTANCIA'S MERCURY SPACE EXHIBIT PROMISES TO BE A BLAST

From June 26 to July 18, Vistancia will treat its visitors to a literal blast from the past.

During the three-week period, the new 7,100-acre community in North Peoria will be home to a first-stage Atlas rocket engine, of the type used to launch America's first orbital astronauts into space.The engine will be on display in the gym of Vistancia's Mountain Vista Club recreational center.

Vistancia has partnered with the Challenger Space Center in Peoria to host the historic exhibit "The Mercury Program: America's First Steps into Space."

"Vistancia is a place where history comes to life," said Curt Smith of Sunbelt Holdings, which developed the community with Shea Homes."We've built this community on a foundation of respect for Arizona's natural history.Now, we're honored to share this important symbol of America's history with our future residents and visitors."

There is no admission fee to see the rocket display at Vistancia.The community will also present brief overviews on the Mercury program at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on June 26 and 27 and July 3, 4, 11 and 18 in the Mountain Vista Club gym.

Initiated in 1958 and completed in 1963, Project Mercury was the United States' first man-in-space program.The objectives of the program, which made six manned flights from 1961 to 1963, were specific:To orbit a manned spacecraft around Earth, to investigate man's ability to function in space and to recover man and spacecraft safely.

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VISTANCIA'S MERCURY SPACE EXHIBIT

Vistancia is also sponsoring the Mercury Program exhibit at the Challenger Space Center in Peoria.

To visit Vistancia, take Lake Pleasant Road (99th Avenue) north to Happy Valley Parkway.Go west on Happy Valley Parkway.Follow the signs to the community.For more information, call (623) 933-6233 or visit the Web site, www.vistancia.com.