Chronicling the contributions of the scientists, engineers, and the other staff at the Marshall Space Flight Center during the race to the moon in the '60s, "The Force" is the first major exhibit constructed within the Davidson Center for Space Exploration since it opened in late 2008.

"The Force" features an interactive display of authentic Apollo-era engines including an F-1 engine, a J-2 engine and an RL-10 engine. The big feature, towering over 35 feet tall and weighing in at over 5000 pounds, is an experience which allows guests a taste of what it was like on that historic day when five F-1 rocket engines were fired together for the first time. Video, lights, sound, and vibration come together to illustrate the awesome power generated on that day. The display is modeled after one of the Marshall Space Flight Center rocket engine test stands and includes a replica of the F-1 engine that powered the first stage booster of the Saturn V.

Sponsored by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, “The Force” is the Space Center's kickoff to a multi-phase exhibition that will evolve the Davidson Center into an interactive tour of how NASA built the Saturn V and put astronauts on the moon.

The exhibit was designed by Tom Fricker of Fricker & Radetsky, Project Managed by Nancy Seruto of Seruto & Company, and constructed by Inergi Design Services. ShowSys proudly provided the design for the audio, video and control system, as well as installation and programming services.