Science
Jun 16, 20261
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NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to Host Anniversary Open House in October 2026
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is hosting a public anniversary celebration, Explore JPL, on October 10-11, 2026, at its Southern California campus. Free but limited tickets will be available August 29, 2026, on a first-come, first-served basis, offering visitors access to iconic facilities and exhibits celebrating JPL's 90 years of space exploration achievements.
Quick Facts
Who
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
What
Public open-house event celebrating JPL's 90th anniversary
When
October 10-11, 2026
Where
JPL campus at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains
- Public open-house event celebrating JPL's 90th anniversary
- Exhibition of four thematic areas: Missions That Changed the World, Moon to Mars, In Flight, and Makerspace
- Access to Space Flight Operations Facility, Spacecraft Assembly Facility, and Machine Shop
- Display of full-scale spacecraft models and robotics research
- Free ticket distribution on first-come, first-served basis
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a division of Caltech, is celebrating its 90th anniversary by hosting Explore JPL, a public open-house event on October 10 and 11, 2026. The event will take place at JPL's campus at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California, running from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PDT each day.
Visitors will explore four thematic areas: Missions That Changed the World, Moon to Mars, In Flight, and Makerspace. Highlights include access to JPL's Space Flight Operations Facility, a National Historic Landmark where engineers control spacecraft billions of miles away; the Spacecraft Assembly Facility and Machine Shop where precision components are crafted; and displays of cutting-edge robotics research. Guests will also see full-scale models of iconic missions including the Perseverance Mars rover, Voyager, and Galileo.
Tickets are free but strictly limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting August 29, 2026, at 9 a.m. PDT through the Explore JPL webpage. Each requestor may reserve a maximum of five tickets, with orders exceeding that limit subject to cancellation. Tickets are non-transferable, cannot be sold, and must be reserved for specific names with designated time slots. Visitors aged 18 and older must present government-issued identification; children under 2 do not require tickets but experiences are not designed for very young guests.
JPL, which traces its origins to rocket-propulsion development in 1936, has played a pivotal role in American space exploration. The laboratory built and helped launch Explorer 1, America's first satellite, in 1958—the same year Congress established NASA and JPL became part of the agency. Since then, JPL has managed historic missions including Voyager, Galileo, Cassini, the Mars Exploration Rover program, Perseverance, and Europa Clipper.
Attendees should note numerous restrictions on items brought to the facility, including weapons, glass containers, alcohol, pets (except service animals), professional camera equipment with detachable telephoto lenses, drones, skateboards, and large bags. Free parking is available, and vehicles entering JPL property are subject to inspection.
Why This Matters
This open house provides a rare public opportunity to witness how NASA manages deep-space missions and develops cutting-edge robotics. For space enthusiasts, educators, and STEM students, direct access to facilities like the Space Flight Operations Center and full-scale models of legendary missions such as Perseverance and Voyager offers tangible insight into American space leadership. The event also signals JPL's commitment to public engagement as it marks nine decades of pioneering exploration from Earth orbit to Mars and beyond.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 1936
WireJPL established through rocket-propulsion development
Jan 1, 1958
WireJPL built and launched Explorer 1, America's first satellite; Congress established NASA and JPL became part of the agency
Aug 29, 2026
WireExplore JPL tickets become available on first-come, first-served basis
Oct 10, 2026
WireExplore JPL open-house event begins
Oct 11, 2026
WireExplore JPL event concludes