posted 05-02-2017 04:56 PM               

Museum Hosts 4th Annual SpaceFest May 20-21

SpaceFest 2017: The Lunar Legacy celebrates the opening weekend of the Museum's new 'Apollo' exhibit

This year's SpaceFest: The Lunar Legacy, complements the opening weekend of the Museum's new "Apollo" exhibit with astronauts, space luminaries, family activities and VR experiences. These events are free with Museum admission.

Saturday programs include discussions detailing the recovery and restoration of Apollo's F-1 rocket engine — the exhibit's compelling focal point — with presentations from keynote speaker David Concannon from Bezos Expeditions and rocket scientist Roger Myers. There will also be an entertaining "Moon at the Movies" talk by Northwest Film Forum director Courtney Sheehan.

Sunday's discussions will focus on current missions to the moon and Mars, and space communities in the future. Distinguished panelists include space shuttle astronauts John Creighton and Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger.

In addition, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday there will be SpaceFest family workshops, Lunar and Viking 3 displays, Apollo 11 moonwalk VR experiences, and F-1 engine tours.

Saturday Night Ticketed Reception, Earthrise: An Evening with Apollo 8

There will be a ticketed, 1960s-themed cocktail event Saturday night from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Space Gallery, with special guest Jeffery Kluger, Senior Editor of Time magazine and author of the new book, "Apollo 8." Kluger will talk about his book and participate in a panel discussion moderated by Mark Armstrong with special guest Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders.

The evening kicks-off with a reception featuring musical guests, the Georgetown Orbits. SpaceDust IPA and other beverages will be offered.

The panel discussion begins at 6:30 p.m. with a book signing to follow. This is a 21+ event and does not include evening access to the new 'Apollo' exhibit. Seats are limited, tickets available online.

posted 05-24-2017 09:48 AM            

The Apollo 8 talk was very interesting. Unfortunately, Bill Anders was not there and no announcement was made about it on the night. A lot of people seemed to be there just to see him and, in turn, were disappointed.

Jeffrey Kluger talked at length about his reasons for writing the book, and was happy to sign books after the talk. In the line to get a book signed were John Creighton and Mark Armstrong.

One person asked Mark Armstrong to sign their copy of Apollo 8. Armstrong agreed, although he seemed uncomfortable, and reminded the autograph hunter that he had nothing to do with the book "Apollo 8" nor did his father have anything to do with the mission Apollo 8 (strictly speaking).

Armstrong was more than happy to have a conversation about his father and the Apollo exhibit. On the day, he donated a piece of the Wright Brothers plane to the museum which his father had flown to the moon aboard Apollo 11.