UPDATE 4/17/22: The event was a resounding success!
PLAYBACK of each session is available as a series of 7 videos on ASM’s YouTube channel.
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In April 1972, the U.S. Congress approved the Space Transportation System. 50 years later, the American Space Museum has partnered with the Astronaut Memorial Foundation to celebrate the “Golden Anniversary of the Dawn of the Space Shuttle Era” at the beautiful new Hyatt Place Titusville/Kennedy Space Center. The PUBLIC is INVITED to this FREE event which we hope will become an annual “Shuttlefest”.

* ADDRESS and Google MAP Link at page bottom under “VENUE” *

Each session will also be broadcast live on ASM’s YouTube channel. (Later Playback also available.)

This FREE PUBLIC event features short talks, panel discussions, and fellowship with launch directors, vehicle managers, key space workers, and astronauts. The public is welcome to rub shoulders with these “national treasures” of America’s storied Space Shuttle program.

Agenda…

Master of Ceremonies: Hugh Harris, NASA’s Public Affairs Office since 1963, and third PAO director 1992-1998.
• 9:30-10:15 – Art Edwards on the Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator Arm.
  Edwards went from the only African-American in the April 12, 1981 Launch Control Room to become a remote arm lead United Space Alliance safety director.
• 10:30-11:15 – Jean Wright on the Thermal Protection System & Terry White, Orbital Process Facility manager.
  Shuttle thermal blanket “Sew Sister” Jean Wright’s work was always right and it had to be right, or OPF manager Terry White would let her know about it!
• 11:30-12:30 – Lee Solid on Rockwell Shuttle RS-25 engines & Dean Schaaf on NASA Transoceanic Abort Landing sites.
  Lee Solid’s three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) always worked, but just in case, NASA Ground Operations Manager, Dean Schaaf, had nets ready to catch the Orbiter in overseas locations like Gambia.
• 12:30—1:00 – LUNCH BREAK
• 1:00-1:30 pm – Travis “Triple T” Thompson, Lead Astronaut Close Out Crew.
  Travis, whose white room coveralls are in the Smithsonian, shares tales from the White Room (Orbiter Access Room) about pad lightning, John Glenn, Space Cowboys and smuggled Vodka to MIR.
• 1:45-2:15 pm – Jay Honeycutt, former Kennedy Space Center Director (1995-97) and Space Shuttle director (1989-95).
  Jay gives a history lesson on the 1972 U.S. Congress that approved the Space Shuttle program.
• 2:30-3:30 pm – Astronauts Mike McCulley & Winston Scott.
  Yes, they are renowned astronauts. McCulley traded the Space Shuttle pilot seat for the United Space Alliance boardroom. And after some pioneering space walks, Scott walks the halls of academia promoting human diversity in space business.

Vendors

Ken Havekotte Space Covers, Sew Sister Creations, Artist Tim Gagnon, Artist Ron Wood, Photographer Ken Kremer, JL Pickering and a John Bisney book signing. More vendors expected.

For more information

Contact Mark Marquette, marq@americanspacemuseum.org, phone (321) 264-0434