This week marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing Mission, and Central Florida is celebrating all week long!
If you want to take part in the fun, here is a list of events scheduled for the 50th anniversary remembrance:
NASA
UCF Team Among Those Selected by @NASA to to Study Our Moon and More #SSERVI
NASA announced it has selected eight new research teams to collaborate on research into the intersection of space science and human space exploration as part of the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI).
One of those teams is the Center for Lunar and Asteroid Surface Science (CLASS), led by Dan Britt at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Partners with Rocket Mortgage to Honor Apollo 11 Crew @ExploreSpaceKSC
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans have announced a new partnership to create a one-of-a-kind bronze statue honoring the historic spaceflight.
The seven-foot-tall bronze statue, set upon a four-foot-tall concrete base, will depict Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.
Thomas D. Jones, PhD and Captain Scott D. Altman Inducted into U. S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® at Kennedy Space Center @ExploreSpaceKSC
Saturday, April 21, in a ceremony set beneath space shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, two veteran astronauts were inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®.
Thomas D. Jones, PhD and Captain Scott D. Altman, who have each demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in furthering NASA’s mission of exploration and discovery, brought the total number of astronauts in this prestigious society to 97.
Both Dr. Jones and Captain Altman have had illustrious careers centered around their love of space and science:
Out and About: NASA Fallen Astronauts are Honored in Annual Ceremony at Kennedy Space Center
Each year the Astronauts Memorial Foundation holds a ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center to remember the astronauts who gave their lives while serving to further the NASA mission of space exploration. It is generally held on the last Thursday of January, since many of the tragedies occurred around this time of year.
This year, the annual Day of Remembrance was held at the Astronauts Memorial Foundation building at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (KSCVC), as well as at the Space Mirror Memorial.
Out and About: The New Astronaut Training Experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (KSCVC) has long been known as the gateway to outer space for those seeking to get a close up view of our nation’s space program. Between housing space artifacts and memorabilia, to actual spacecraft like the orbiter Atlantis, as well as hosting viewings of launches from the historic pads, they have always been on the cutting edge of space related tourism.
With the introduction of the all new Astronaut Training Experience (ATX), KSCVC will continue the tradition of offering hands-on interactive exhibits, but with a twist – you actually get to experience training for simulated space missions!
Play at Otronicon’s Science Night Live at the Orlando Science Center Jan 14
Otronicon is normally a family friendly event, but Saturday night, January 14, sees the return of the popular adults-only Science Night Live at the Orlando Science Center.
Interact with some of the latest and greatest technology while learning more about STEM careers and the innovations being made right here in Orlando. At Otronicon, play and interact with the best in gaming, simulation and digital technology.
Heroes and Legends feat the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Now Open at Kennedy Space Center
Literally decades in the making, Heroes and Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is now open at Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex.
Positioned just inside the entrance, the attraction takes guests on a journey through an awe-inspiring immersive exhibit that uses cutting-edge technology and interactive elements to introduce the legendary men and women who pioneered our journey into space.
Heroes and Legends Opens at Kennedy Space Center Nov 11, 2016
Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex will open their newest attraction, Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, on Friday, November 11, 2016.
Literally decades in the making, the attraction will provide the emotional background and context for space exploration and the legendary men and women who pioneered our journey into space.
Kennedy Space Center Announces Heroes & Legends Sponsor
As we get closer to the opening date for the Heroes & Legends attraction at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, it’s been announced that The Boeing Company will be the title sponsor.
During the announcement ceremony, a ten-foot long silhouette of an X-15 rocket plane was raised to the top of the building.
The X-15, which was manufactured by a legacy Boeing company, North American Aviation, flew for nearly a decade, achieving hypersonic speeds and exploring the upper edge of the Earth’s atmosphere. Its technology contributed to the development of the historic Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle Programs.
Astronauts Brian Duffy and Scott Parazynski To Be Inducted Into United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
This week, NASA announced two new inductees to the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center.
In recognition of their extraordinary accomplishments in furthering NASA’s mission of exploration and discovery, veteran astronauts Brian Duffy and Scott Parazynski have been selected for induction.
Out and About: Otronicon Brought Tech Fun to Orlando Science Center This Weekend
This weekend was the return of Otronicon, an annual digital media, gaming, and tech festival at the Orlando Science Center, and as usual, it was a lot of fun.
I started at the first floor and worked my way up to the fourth, and it took several hours to see and enjoy everything.
Columbia and Challenger Memorial Opens at Kennedy Space Center
A new memorial designed to pay tribute to the crews of Challenger and Columbia has opened at the Kennedy Space Center.
At nearly 2,000-sq-ft, the “Forever Remembered” memorial contains the largest collection of personal items of both flight crews, along with recovered hardware from both shuttles, never seen by the public before.
Heroes and Legends Attraction Breaks Ground at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has broken ground on a new attraction called Heroes and Legends, which will include the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 29, on the eve of this year’s 25th Anniversary Hall of Fame inductions, and featured many hall of fame members.
Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Unveiled at Kennedy Space Center on June 29 (with Video)
On Saturday, June 29, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex held opening ceremonies for their newest exhibit, Space Shuttle Atlantis. In attendance were NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and KSC Director Bob Cabana, both previous shuttle astronauts, and over 40 NASA astronauts.
It is now the world’s most comprehensive and interactive attraction devoted to NASA’s 30-year Space Shuttle Program.
Inside, guests to KSC will find the Space Shuttle Atlantis with cargo bay doors open and tilted on a 43.21-degree angle to allow easier viewing inside. Because the payload bay doors were not designed to be opened in Earth’s gravity, a complex process was developed to support and suspend the doors using steel cables.
Space Shuttle Atlantis is included with regular admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
If you’d like to watch the opening ceremonies, KSC was kind enough to share this video with us: