Dublin Student-Led Nonprofit Showcases Exhibit At Stanford Event

DUBLIN, CA — On April 19, 2025, Galactic Getaway, a Dublin-based youth-led nonprofit, was invited by Stanford’s Astrophysics Department to exhibit at the prestigious KIPAC Community Day, drawing thousands of space enthusiasts, families, and students.

The nonprofit, founded by local student Saanvi Phaneendra, aims to ignite curiosity in space exploration through high-quality, museum-style rocket displays and STEM engagement programs across Bay Area libraries and schools.

“This was our first time showcasing at a university event — and we were amazed by the response,” said Saanvi Phaneendra, founder of Galactic Getaway. “It shows how hungry kids and teens are to learn about the future of space.”

A Stellar Day at Stanford

At the Aerospace Vehicles booth, visitors explored six highly detailed 1:144 scale models of rockets that are leading the charge into the next era of space exploration - including SpaceX's Starship, NASA's SLS, ULA’s Vulcan Centaur, and more. These models, not yet seen in public museums, drew enormous crowds.

Children and teens eagerly asked questions like:

• “Which rocket goes to Mars?”
• “How big is the real rocket like this one?”
• “How many Cybertrucks can this one carry?”
• "Why is the Starship black on the top?"

The exhibit also featured educational posters and a fan-favorite comparison activity showing how many Tesla Cybertrucks each rocket could hypothetically carry based on volume and payload capacity.

Over the course of the day, nearly 2,000 #ThinkBigFlyFar stickers were handed out to young visitors, many of whom wore them proudly as their “mission badges.”

Expanding the Mission in Bay Area and Beyond

Galactic Getaway’s rocket displays are now available for 4–6 week installations at local libraries and community spaces, free of charge. The goal: to bring space exploration to life for youth who may never have stepped into a science museum.

The nonprofit is currently working with libraries in Pleasanton, Dublin, and other Bay Area communities, and hopes to expand through partnerships with schools and science centers across the Bay Area.

“We want every kid to walk past a rocket and feel like space belongs to them,” said Saanvi.

How to Support or Host the Display

Community members interested in bringing the display to a school, library, or community center can visit galacticget.org or email info@galacticget.org.

You can also follow the journey on Instagram and X at @galacticget.