12/15: Salute to Space Pioneers (Pensacola, Fla.)

Don't miss this very special event on Dec. 15 in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Apollo XVII and the last walk on the Moon, including the unveiling of a full-scale replica of an Apollo Lunar Excursion Module (LEM), and discussion panels featuring astronauts and NASA officials from the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs.

Celebrate the achievements of the astronauts, engineers, scientists, and all others that contributed to success in the Space Race with a day of space-themed panels and the unveiling of a full-scale replica of an Apollo Lunar Excursion Module.

Apollo XIII — 10:00 am - 11:30 am

The day opens with a panel on the near-catastrophic flight of Apollo XIII, as told by the men themselves. Apollo XIII commander James Lovell (retired Navy captain and fighter pilot) discusses the harrowing events of that mission with Gemini/Apollo flight director Eugene Kranz and NASA engineer/flight director Glynn Lunney, who were key in successfully bringing the crew home after an oxygen tank explosion crippled the Apollo XIII Command/Service module.

Mercury, Gemini, Apollo — 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Following a luncheon (11:45 am - 1:00 pm; reservations required*) on the Museum's USS Cabot flight deck (invited guest speaker Senator Marco Rubio), a panel of astronauts and NASA officials will discuss the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, the challenges they overcame to take the lead in space exploration, and what the Space Race meant for America and American preeminence in science, technology and engineering.

Panelists scheduled include former astronauts such as Thomas Stafford (retired Air Force brigadier general, Gemini astronaut, commander of Apollo X and commander of the first joint U.S.-Soviet space mission), and Richard Gordon (retired Navy captain, pilot aboard Gemini XI which achieved a record apogee altitude, and command-module pilot of Apollo XII), among other potential panelists.

Lunar Module Unveiling and Dinner — 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Finally, the day ends with a cocktail reception and unveiling of the Museum's newest exhibit, a full-scale replica of an Apollo Lunar Excursion Module (LEM), followed by dinner with guest speakers such as CAPT Eugene Cernan, USN (Ret.), commander of Apollo XVII and last man to walk on the Moon, and emceed by Mr. David Hartman, original host of ABC's Good Morning America. Reservations are required for this event, at $150 per guest; please call the Foundation offices at 1-800-327-5002 for more details and to make reservations no later than November 30th.