posted 07-10-2015 06:14 PM               

Five to join International Space Hall of Fame

On July 4, 2015, New Mexico Museum of Space History Executive Director Chris Orwoll announced the names of the International Space Hall of Fame Inductee Class of 2015. The announcement came moments before the City of Alamogordo's annual Fireworks Extravaganza delighted thousands across the basin with what is being hailed as the "best show in years."

"It was a privilege to announce the names of such a prestigious class, people whose vision inspired literally generations worldwide. The Inductee Class of 2015 embodies the true spirit of space exploration by a group of men who, although they never went to space themselves, believed in the future and possibilities of exploring the universe," said New Mexico Museum of Space History Executive Director Chris Orwoll.

The Inductee Class of 2015 includes:

Best known for his work in animation and popular entertainment, Walt Disney created what is today the largest entertainment empire in history. In the mid-1950s, he worked with Werner von Braun on several iconic, "science factual," animated films on science and science fiction subjects, most notably Man in Space, Man and the Moon, and Mars and Beyond. These were designed to be both educational and entertaining, which not only led to millions of people around the world learning about the future of space exploration, but also impacted the development of the United States space program and initiatives. Disney built several futuristic attractions to be included in Tomorrowland at his amusement park, Disneyland. His enduring interest in the future of space exploration was recognized in 1980, when a minor planet, 4017 Disneya, was named in his honor.

On July 22, The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco will open a new exhibition titled "Tomorrowland: Walt's Vision for Today." The exhibition showcases Walt Disney as a "technological innovator, science fiction storyteller, and futurologist by spotlighting his vision of Disneyland's groundbreaking Tomorrowland and its complete and revolutionary 1967 rebuild." Academy Award-winning director, writer, and producer Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and Tomorrowland) guest-curated the exhibit.

Fritz Lang was an Austrian-American writer and filmmaker. In 1929, he wrote and directed Frau im Mond (Woman in the Moon). The most expensive silent film ever made at the time, it is often called 'the first serious science fiction movie.' It told the story of a doomed voyage to the Moon; rocket pioneer Hermann Oberth was an advisor on the film. One of Lang's creations in Frau im Mond was the first use of a ten second-countdown prior to a rocket launch. The use of a multistage rocket in the story influenced the development of rocketry in the real world.

Best known for the six Star Wars films, screenwriter, director, and producer George Lucas has been credited by many as helping to create a renewal of interest in science fiction motion pictures. His movies have grossed hundreds of millions of dollars. This has enabled numerous philanthropic ventures on his part; much of his efforts have centered on encouraging innovation in education, the arts and technology.

French filmmaker Georges Melies was a pioneer in the early days of cinema. He created what many regard as the first science fiction (silent) film, 1902's A Trip to the Moon; it was loosely based on stories of lunar voyages written by both Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. With a length of fourteen minutes, A Trip to the Moon was the longest motion picture ever produced at the time.

George Pal was a Hungarian-born American and is remembered as an animator and producer, principally associated with the science fiction genre in the early days of the space program. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences founded the "George Pal Lecture on Fantasy in Film" in 1980. He produced and/or directed the following influential and Academy Award winning films: Destination Moon, When Worlds Collide, The War of the Worlds, Conquest of Space, and The Time Machine.

About Induction 2015

Induction into the International Space Hall of Fame is an honor that has only been bestowed upon 166 people and one team over the past 39 years.

This October, five individuals will join this distinguished group.

The Induction Ceremony and Founder's Day Activities will be held on Saturday, October 3. Founder's Day at the museum begins at 9:00 am. A celebration of the museum's opening in 1976; this community event has the primary mission of encouraging children to become involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This is a family-friendly event and the first 500 children (ages 5-15) will build and launch free model rockets. Dozens of exhibitors from across the state will add to the excitement!

The Induction Ceremony and Gala Banquet will be held at the Tays Special Events Center on the campus of New Mexico State University – Alamogordo. Tickets for the event will go on sale in mid-July.

The International Space Hall of Fame (ISHF), an integral part of the New Mexico Museum of Space History, is the only institution that recognizes the accomplishments of the men and women worldwide who have contributed to man's quest for space. Established in 1976, the ISHF follows strict criteria for Inductees and to date has honored 166 individuals and one team.

The New Mexico Museum of Space History is a division of the NM Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information, call 575-437-2840 or toll free 1-877-333-6589 or visit the website.

posted 08-21-2015 04:48 PM               

Astronaut Slated As Keynote Speaker

Apollo 15 Astronaut Al Worden to Speak at Induction Ceremony

The New Mexico Museum of Space History is pleased to announce that Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot Al Worden will be the Keynote Speaker at the Induction 2015 Gala Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday Oct. 3.

"It is an honor to bring Colonel Worden to Alamogordo for this event. He is one of only 24 men who have gone to the moon and his personal account of his flight on Apollo 15 is incredible. As our keynote speaker, he will inspire not only with his insight into the manned space program, but also with his ability to bring that understanding to a personal level," said New Mexico Museum of Space History Executive Director Chris Orwoll.

Colonel Alfred "Al" Worden (USAF, Ret.) was one of 19 astronauts selected by NASA in 1966 for the Apollo program. In 1971, Worden served as the Command Module Pilot for Apollo 15, the fourth manned mission to the moon. Apollo 15 was the first mission to fly the Lunar Roving Vehicle, which allowed astronauts to explore more areas of the Moon's surface. The crew consisted of David R. Scott, commander; Al Worden, command module pilot; and James Irwin, lunar module pilot. During the flight, Worden spent three days alone on the Command Module Endeavor and was listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the "most isolated human being" – at his farthest point from Scott and Irwin on the Moon, Worden was 2,234 miles away from any other human. As the flight was homeward bound, Worden performed the first deep space EVA and logged 38 minutes in extravehicular activity as he retrieved film the Endeavor's panoramic and mapping cameras.

Worden was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1983 and into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1997. He is a West Point graduate and recipient of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. Most recently, Worden published his autobiography Falling to Earth with co-author and noted space author Francis French. The book will be available for purchase at the museum's gift shop.

"I'm really looking forward to speaking at Induction 2015 and talking about not only the space program, but the value of science fiction books and movies and how they've helped inspire generations of explorers," said Worden.

Tickets are on sale now for the Induction 2015 Gala Banquet and Ceremony. For more information contact the museum or visit the website.