Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum to Open Newly Refurbished "Aerospace Zone"

The theme of the new Zone is "Aiming for heights beyond the skies we used to dream of." The main showpiece is a full-size mockup of the MRJ's nose and forward fuselage introducing both its external appearance and interior. Inside its cabin, the real seats lines up and visitors can try out for themselves. Meanwhile inside the cockpit, visitors can experience simulated flight while operating controls just like the real ones. They also will have the opportunity to closely examine the main wing of MRJ with a full-scale engine, which manufactured by Pratt & Whitney of the U.S and achieved the improvement in fuel efficiency and noise reduction.

Another new feature is a large, wide screen known as "Imagination Theater." Here, through the imagination of a young boy who wants more than anything to be able to fly, visitors are introduced to the history of aviation and to the dreams and technologies of the subsequent aerospace age – a warm-up to induce visitors to the displays they are about to see here. In the "Aircraft Challenge" area, using touch-panel control visitors can experience what it is like to design, maintain, assemble and disassemble an aircraft fuselage as well as put tool in order.

The cylindrical screen, called "Frontier Theater," introduces the future of aerospace development by dynamic video presentation. In the "Rocket Engine" area visitors can view the LE-7A and its predecessor, the LE-7, engines which were actually installed in the H-IIA and H-IIB launch vehicles, thereby acquiring an understanding of the evolution of engine technology. The exhibition of rocket models has been newly expanded to include the H3, which is currently under development; it gives visitors a good understanding of the progress Japan has made in developing launch vehicles through the years.

The Aerospace Zone also contains a full-size display of "Kibo," Japan's experimental module for the International Space Station (ISS). Here, the technologies that protect the module from space debris are introduced. Inside the module, visitors can have fun controlling a robot arm just like a mission specialist does.

The Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum was opened in Yokohama in June 1994 to promote exchanges with the local community and to foster interest in science and technology. The museum uses actual machinery and equipment, scale models, video presentations and explanatory panels to present easy-to-understand introductions to MHI's state-of-the-art technologies and products. Exhibits are divided into six zones. In 2014 the museum celebrated its 20th anniversary with a commemorative ceremony and related events. In March 2015 the Ocean Zone was reopened centered on a full-size re-creation of the Shinkai 6500, a manned submersible research vessel displayed like a cutaway. The museum attracts visitors of all ages, from toddlers to seniors, all of whom enjoy having the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in science and technology by seeing, touching and experiencing the real items for themselves. Going forward the museum will continue to enhance its displays further and launch new programs on an ongoing basis.