COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Coca-Cola Space Science Center marks 30 years in 2026, with more than $17 million in NASA artifacts and four flight simulators among its attractions. The downtown Columbus facility also offers planetarium shows, a collection of Space Shuttle equipment and opportunities to learn about astronomy through telescopes and interactive exhibits. Operated by Columbus State University, the center serves university students, school groups and public visitors at 701 Front Avenue.

30 years: A Columbus science center since 1996

The Coca-Cola Space Science Center opened in 1996, making 2026 its 30th year. According to its website, it is Georgia's only science center and museum facility dedicated to astronomy and space science experiences for students and the public. The center operates as a division of Columbus State University, serving both as an academic enrichment center and a regional informal education institution.

The center's mission includes inspiring and educating future scientists, engineers, science educators and communicators. Its activities connect public education with university coursework, research and student employment. That combination gives the facility responsibilities beyond operating a museum and offering public exhibits.

$17 million: NASA artifacts in the exhibit gallery

The center's exhibit gallery contains more than $17 million in NASA artifacts from the Space Shuttle program. According to the center, its collection is the most extensive collection of Space Shuttle artifacts in Georgia. Visitors can explore equipment from the shuttle program through gallery displays and staff-led tours.

Among the featured items is a Space Shuttle Main Engine Nozzle that traveled to space on nine NASA missions. The center also displays Apollo-era memorabilia, including artifacts and stories connected to that period of space exploration. A Firing Room 3 artifact is another item pictured in the center's gallery information.

The center offers a Shuttle Artifact Tour led by its staff. The tour introduces visitors to what the facility describes as Georgia's largest collection of NASA Space Shuttle artifacts. Gallery tours are available daily, according to the center's current visitor information.

4 flight simulators: Interactive learning inside the gallery

Four flight simulators are part of the center's exhibit gallery. They appear alongside numerous interactive displays designed to engage visitors with subjects related to aviation and space science. The center also advertises exhibits where guests can test their piloting and driving skills.

Another attraction is called Flight to the ISS. The center describes it as a mission-style experience in which visitors board Space Shuttle Odyssey for a journey to the International Space Station. The activity adds a simulated spaceflight experience to the artifact displays and other gallery attractions.

5 or 6 shows: Daily Omnisphere Theater schedule

The center's Omnisphere Theater offers five scheduled planetarium shows on weekdays and six on Saturdays. Monday through Friday, showtimes are 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday showtimes follow the same schedule with an additional presentation at 4 p.m.

Current program titles include "Dinosaurs: A Survival Story," "Phantom of the Universe" and "Astronaut." The weekday schedule also includes a "Director's Choice" presentation, providing another program within the theater's lineup. The center warns that its show schedule is subject to change, so visitors should check the current lineup when planning a visit.

The theater is one of several educational experiences offered at the facility. Visitors can combine a scheduled presentation with time in the exhibit gallery and its interactive displays. The center also operates the Stargazers Gift Shop as part of its visitor facilities.

More than 20 telescopes: Astronomy beyond the exhibit gallery

The center's observatory program maintains a fleet of more than 20 portable telescopes. Its equipment also includes a portable planetarium system and a van used to provide mobile educational programs. The observatory, identified as the WestRock Observatory in the center's photo captions, is also home to a research-grade telescope.

Portable equipment allows the center to offer astronomy education outside its main building. The mobile program is one of the services available to groups, along with on-site visits and teacher professional development. The center invites interested groups to contact Dr. Shawn Cruzen about its educational offerings.

25 nights: Free public observing each year

The observatory hosts approximately 25 nights of free public observing annually, according to the center. These programs provide opportunities for members of the public to participate in astronomy activities beyond the indoor exhibits. They also extend the center's educational mission into direct telescope-based observing.

The center does not identify individual observing dates in the supplied information. Its estimate of approximately 25 nights describes the annual program rather than a fixed weekly schedule. Visitors interested in participating can use the center's contact information to ask about upcoming observing opportunities.

1 university: Columbus State's teaching and research connection

Columbus State University operates the facility through its academic programs. The center houses astronomy courses offered by the university's Department of Earth and Space Sciences. It also hosts the computer server containing what the center describes as an internationally recognized supernova database.

CSU students work at the center as paid interns and assistants. Their duties include operating the Omnisphere Theater, supporting K-12 programs, working in the gift shop and assisting with telescopes. These positions connect student employment with the center's public education and astronomy activities.

The university relationship also shapes the center's group programming. In addition to visits at the Columbus facility, the center offers mobile programs and professional development opportunities for teachers. Those services bring its educational activities to audiences beyond regular museum visitors.

$10 for adults, $6 for children: What admission costs

General admission is $10 for adults ages 13 and older and $6 for children ages 4 through 12. Military members, first responders, educators and seniors ages 55 and older qualify for $8 admission, while CSU students enter free. Members of the Association of Science and Technology Centers, or ASTC, receive free admission, with a $5 theater charge listed separately.

The center also states that children under age 3 enter free with each paid adult. Its published pricing does not specify a rate for 3-year-olds. Families with a child that age can contact the center for clarification before visiting.

For example, two adults paying $10 each and two children ages 4 through 12 paying $6 each would spend $32 on admission. That calculation uses the center's listed general admission prices without any discounts. Theater charges or other costs are not included in that example.

6 days: Current operating hours and ticket prices

The center is open six days a week, with Sunday listed as closed. It operates from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The following hours and prices reflect information posted on the center's website as retrieved Oct. 27, 2026.

Current operating hours

Current admission prices

701 Front Avenue: Where to visit and park

The Coca-Cola Space Science Center is located at 701 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901. Visitors can park in the lot in front of the facility, along Front Avenue or in the public parking deck between the Trade Center and the science center. The center specifically instructs drivers not to park in the bike lane.

Visitors can contact the center at 706-649-1477 or by email at [email protected]. Its website provides information about current attractions, gallery tours, Omnisphere Theater presentations and group programs. Those resources can help visitors confirm schedules before making a trip.

## How we did this Columbus Times compiled this guide from the Coca-Cola Space Science Center's official website, using its home page, About Us information and group program details retrieved Oct. 27, 2026. The center supplied the published hours, admission prices, NASA artifact information, simulator count, astronomy equipment and descriptions of its university programs. Columbus Times calculated the center's 30-year milestone from its 1996 founding date and the $32 family admission example from the published prices. All figures and program descriptions reflect the information available from those sources at the time of review.