SYRACUSE, NY, 03-MAY-00 -- Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems-Syracuse today announced that it will join forces with the Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) to celebrate Space Day at the museum on Thursday, May 4 for 150 fifth and sixth grade students from Gillette Road and Clary Middle Schools. The students are scheduled to arrive at the museum at 9:30 a.m. for a space station presentation followed by a special IMAX screening of The Dream Is Alive, which offers an insider's view of the American space shuttle program. The students also will have the opportunity to explore various space and atmospheric-related exhibits in the museum.

Students from Gillette Road Middle School will join over 500 elementary and middle schools participating in the Signatures in Space program. Each school will sign giant posters, which will be returned and photographed. The negatives will be launched with the crew of Space Shuttle mission STS-92, a Space Station assembly mission scheduled for launch on September 21. After the mission, the posters are returned to the schools, along with a photo of the crew that carried the signatures up and a flight certification verifying that the signatures flew in space. This nationwide project associated with Space Day is intended to inspire future generations to continue the vision of our space pioneers and to encourage science, math and technology education.

Space Day, which is dedicated to the extraordinary achievements, benefits and opportunities in space exploration is now in its fourth year. Communities and schools around North America plan to participate in a wide range of activities and events.

Senator and astronaut John Glenn and Vance Coffman, chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corp., are part of an international advisory board that coordinates Space Day.

Space Exploration always begins with a question, said Senator Glenn, the official spokesperson for Space Day 2000. Space Day provides young people with the opportunities to embrace the fascinating world of space and celebrate the human spirit of exploration.