10/4: Space Race panel at Wilson Center (DC)

October 4th 2017 marks the 60th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik, an event which marked the beginning of the Space Race and, with it, the beginning of the space age.

The Space Race captured the imagination of millions of Americans and remains a defining moment in our national history. Today, space technology and exploration have entered a second major era of new capabilities and discoveries. Once again, space occupies an important place in American life and in the popular imagination.

The Wilson Center's Cold War International History Project will mark the 60th anniversary of the start of the Space Race on October 4, 2017, with a panel discussion featuring expert historians and current space industry professionals who, together, will reflect upon the past, present, and future of human space activity —

Mr. Christian Davenport, Washington Post (Moderator)
Dr. Asif Siddiqi, Professor, Fordham University
Dr. Michael Neufeld, Senior Curator, National Air and Space Museum
Mr. Clay Mowry, Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Customer Experience, Blue Origin
Mr. Robert Curbeam, Vice President and Deputy of Space Systems, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems

With this public event, the Wilson Center begins a multi-year research and seminar program on Space Race history and the foundation that the Space Race set for our present era of space industry and exploration.