Celestial navigation- NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA/Preston Dyches

At NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, I saw all the precision and preparation that goes into making a long voyage across the solar system. And I found out that NASA's robotic missions are continuing Lewis’ and Clark's tradition of scientific exploration, with spacecraft blazing trails to lots of other planets, as well as observing Earth from space. I toured mission control, where they talk with spacecraft across the solar system. I’ll bet they had a lot to say to NASA’s InSight Lander when it touched down on Mars just this past Monday!

NASA/Preston Dyches

I also visited JPL’s Spacecraft Assembly Facility, where they're building and testing parts of the next Mars rover mission. That spidery thing behind me is called a sky crane and it's going to Mars in 2020!)

Traveling in the spirit of a Newfoundland dog that became one of the most famous members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Seaman Jr. will enjoy the sights of our home planet from the International Space Station,including amazing views of our national trails, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the National Trails Act and NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration 60th anniversary.

The National Park Service and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail invite you to learn more about Seaman, Jr.’s space journey! Follow his blog (go.nps.gov/NewfieNews) for special updates to see all of the missions in space and flashbacks to his training adventures at NASA centers and on the national trails.