Each year at Balloon Fiesta, balloon enthusiasts can get hands-on experience to learn about the sport and science of ballooning, and a behind-the-scenes look at Balloon Fiesta event operations. Located at the north end of Balloon Fiesta Park, the Balloon Discovery Center draws more than 30,000 visitors of all ages each year.

Interactive exhibits illustrate the principles of lighter-than-air flight, the history of the sport, and safety aspects of ballooning. A hot air balloon exhibit has a basket in which kids can "burn" the burners and simulate a balloon flight. Another exhibit demonstrates the "Albuquerque Box" effect, and an Arts & Crafts area tickles the imagination of youngsters about the beauty of balloons.

These are examples of just a few of the exhibits that you’ll find:

PARTS OF A BALLOON

How is a balloon made and constructed? If you don’t know the parts of the balloon, this is the perfect exhibit. Larger-than-life graphics and a real hands-on balloon system highlight the critical components for each balloon to safely take flight and return to earth.

ALBUQUERQUE BOX

What makes Albuquerque the Balloon Capital of the world? The Albuquerque Box and its unique weather and wind patterns make our city unlike any other – and perfect for flying balloons. This interactive exhibit illustrates how the “box effect” sits over Balloon Fiesta Park and surrounding areas.

WICKER WEAVING

Some aspects of ballooning remains low-tech, and the basket, also called the gondola, is one of them. Most gondolas are made from wicker to minimize the additional weight that the balloon must lift. This exhibit allows you to try your hand at weaving large-radius rattan into a gondola. When the wicker is soaked in water, it becomes pliable. It is woven in a pattern in and out of the vertical supports. As it dries, it becomes rigid.

WEATHER STATION

Weather conditions are critical in determining if a balloon can fly. The Weather Station is a working weather station used by our meteorologists and Balloonmeister to actually determine if balloons will fly or not.

QUIZ TABLES

How much do you think you know about ballooning? Let’s test your knowledge with the interactive touchscreen quiz tables.

NASA at the Balloon Discovery Center

Features will include:

• Former NASA astronauts as guest speakers.

• The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy is a combination of the world’s largest airborne infrared telescope integrated into a NASA 747SP aircraft. An infrared camera display is used to show attendees how that type of imaging works.

• Former NASA Armstrong aerospace engineering technician demonstrating a high-altitude pressure suit used by pilots of the retired Mach 3 SR-71 and the high-altitude ER-2 Earth resources aircraft.

• A tabletop pressure chamber will explain the requirements for high-altitude pressure suits with water boiling at low temperatures and marshmallow Peeps expanding and contracting.

• An F-15 cockpit simulator gives visitors the chance to picture themselves in the pilot's seat of the high-performance jet.

• A no-cost photo kiosk allows visitors to take a picture in a virtual environment that places them in a spacesuit. Nearby will be a machine that will turn a penny into a NASA souvenir.