The American Space Museum will host ShuttleFest III, our third annual celebration of the Space Shuttle Era on Saturday, April 13, 2024 8am – 4pm at Hyatt Place Titusville/Kennedy Space Center. The PUBLIC is INVITED to this annual event.

With the theme, “More than Just Astronomy Missions,” the event will feature space workers (and possibly astronauts) who participated in the STS-35 & 67 Astro 1 & 2, the STS-41 Ulysses (Sun orbit) and the STS-34 Galileo (Jupiter orbit) missions. These astronomy missions had some drama involved… Ulysses and Galileo had controversial radioactive power sources and were to be launched from the Shuttle payload bay by a liquid fueled Centaur rocket. The Astro 1 mission was almost terminated in orbit because of a communications problem with the telescopes that was solved in a unique way.

In the works is a possible book signing opportunity, and select vendors, including the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and Ken Havekotte Memorabilia. The ShuttleFest “shield” artwork is provided by Tim Gagnon.

ShuttleFest III will include panel discussions such as “Art in Space” headed by world-renowned artist Chris Calle. A “Look to the Future” panel will end the event with key members of private companies and NASA.

Cost: Donations Accepted

We are not charging admission but would suggest a donation of $20 (or $10 for museum members). Besides being a fundraiser, we need to cover our costs. More about Membership

Special Room Rates

If you plan to stay at the Hyatt, they have 10 rooms blocked. Ask for the ShuttleFest rate.

Friday Evening Agenda

Private “Sponsors Only” Reception with speakers and astronaut.

Saturday Agenda (Tentative)

1. 8:00 to 9:00 – EVENT OPEN AND FELLOWSHIP
2. 9:30 Panel: STS-35 ASTRO 1 & 2: STS-35 & STS-67 led by Scott Vangen, NASA electrical engineer
   • How “Blue Suit” lint created a first-time protocol for Shuttle communications
   • 25th Anniversary events & Restoration Project
   • Celebrating Astronaut Sam Durrance
   • Q & A
3. 11:00 Presentation: SHOCKING DISCOVERIES BY SPACE TELESCOPES
   Astronomer Dr. Eric Pearlman of Florida Institute of Technology explains the more we know, the more puzzled we are about the Universe.
4. 11:30 to 1:00 LUNCH, FRIENDS AND VENDOR TIME
5. 1:00 Panel: TWO TALES of CENTAURS & RTGs led by Mikey Haddad, NASA electrical engineer
   The controversy over nuclear power and the liquid-fueled booster rocket proposed for both STS-41, Ulysses to the Sun, and STS-34, Galileo to Jupiter.
   • STS-34,  Oct. 18-23, 1989 Discovery
   • STS-41, Oct. 6-10 , 1990, Discovery
   • Q & A
6. 2:30 Panel: ART IN SPACE 
   Artist Chris Calle, photographer Mark Usciak, patch artist Tim Gagnon and painter Ron Woods share their introspective.
7. 3:15 Panel: ROCKET RENAISSANCE
   Discussion with NASA, Vaya Space, and others “Looking to the Future” of spaceflight.
8. 4:00 – ENDING COMMENTS
9. Enjoy the Vendors and see you at ShuttleFest IV April 12, 2025

For more information on participation and sponsorship…

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