Gray's Budget Funds Space Simulator For D.C. Schools

WASHINGTON (AP) -- District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray's 2014 budget proposal includes money to build a space station simulator in the district's public school system.

The Washington Examiner reports that space education center would be part of the national Challenger Center for Space Science Education. The organization oversees a network of 41 such facilities across the United States, including one in Prince George's County.

A location for the facility hasn't been determined. It's expected to cost $1.5 million to design. Of that total, $1 million was included in last year's budget, and Gray's fiscal 2014 proposal includes the remaining $500,000.

Russell Waugh is the program's outreach teacher. He says the simulation gives students a feel for being in space or at mission control.

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