ORLANDO, FLORIDA, August 16 – Pale Blue Dot Ventures has partnered with Orlando-based experience design firm IDEAS to design an all new space-themed entertainment and education destination in coastal Santa Barbara County, CA.
The California Space Academy (CalSpace) will prepare guests to join humanity’s near-future as spacefarers. CalSpace’s immersive attractions will tell inspirational, science-based stories of next-generation space travel. Besides hosting over 300,000 day-guests every year, CalSpace will offer a completely unique multi-day “SpaceBase” experience that will train tomorrow’s aspiring astronauts how to live in extraterrestrial environments and teach them the science, technology, math, engineering and creative skills that will help them get to space.
California Space Academy is planned for an 82-acre property with direct viewshed into the Vandenburg Space Force Base launch complex, home to NASA, ULA, SpaceX and a growing number of private space flight companies. Calspace will also host “SpaceWorkz,” a 50,000 sq. ft. technology manufacturing facility that will execute payload processing, mission operations and R&D for upcoming space flights.
PBDV is also in discussions with a hotel developer to build and operate a 120-250-key hotel on the property with theming and a site integral to the park.
IDEAS has robust experience designing projects that bring the wonders of space and science to the public. The 20-year-old experience design firm boasts a client portfolio that includes Kennedy Space Center, NASA, Lockheed-Martin, Northrop Grumman, Airbus and others. Their team also designed the guest experience for Spaceport America, which recently launched Virgin Galactic’s landmark Unity 22 flight.
Bob Allen, Chief Storytelling Officer of IDEAS, noted “Leading the design of this forward-thinking destination is a passion project for us. Along with immersive attractions, our team looks forward to developing innovative STEAM education with Central Coast School Districts, universities, and government agencies like NASA, USAF and USSF, etc.”
Along with design experience, IDEAS will bring attractive IP to California Space Academy. The firm has recently negotiated exclusive rights for Pale Blue Dot Ventures to develop location-based educational content based on the documentary “Woman in Motion,” the compelling life story of “Star Trek” legend Nichelle Nichols and her efforts to recruit minorities into NASA.
Pale Blue Dot Founder and CEO Steve Franck believes the project is perfectly timed. “You can look at your newsfeeds any day and it’s clear that the public fascination with the next generation of space flight has never been higher. CalSpace will be a singular location that will advance the science and story of space exploration, engage our audiences and inspire the next generation.”
Pale Blue Dot Ventures completed its initial seed capital round and is currently raising the next round of capital to fund full project development. Next steps include a detailed market analysis and financial proforma, further conceptual development, and completion the land deeding process for the site.
Created in 2001 through a management buyout from the Walt Disney Company, IDEAS is a brand and experience design company built around the central premise that powerful stories create powerful experiences. Over 20 years, IDEAS has delivered more than 3500 solutions for destination development, healthcare, government, enterprise and entertainment to more than 1000 clients around the world. For more, visit www.ideasorlando.com
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