posted 07-10-2017 10:26 AM               

An astronomical celebration for the moon landing anniversary

July 20, 2017; 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Space Center Houston, Houston, Texas

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the amazing innovations NASA made to accomplish a nearly impossible dream.

On Thursday, July 20, Space Center Houston will host four panel discussions with the Apollo Flight Operations Association (AFOA) to celebrate the anniversary of the first lunar landing of Apollo 11. The panels will be 1-5 p.m. at the Mission Briefing Center.

• 1 - 1:45 p.m.
  Apollo Landing and Recovery Operations and Astronaut Post-Landing Quarantine

  Learn about NASA's partnership with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force to develop and execute a worldwide effort to recover the Apollo crew and command module. Learn about the process of quarantining Apollo crews until they were medically cleared.

  Panelists: John Stonecipher, Milt Heflin, Mel Richmond, Terry Watson

• 2 - 2:45 p.m.
  Saturn Booster Operations – Saturn V Launch and S-IVB Trans-Lunar Insertion

  Hear how the Saturn Launch Vehicle delivered the Apollo command and service module and lunar module to the moon.

  Panelists: Frank Van Rensselaer, Dean Hanks

• 3 - 3:45 p.m.
  Apollo Lunar Surface Exploration – EVA and Lunar Rover

  Learn how the Apollo lunar surface routes were planned and executed. Examine the Apollo 17 extravehicular activities, also known as space walks, lunar rover routes and emergency return plans. Includes high resolution images of Apollo landing sites from recent lunar reconnaissance orbiter surveys.

  Panelists: Harrison "Jack" Schmitt, Gerald Griffith, Larry Schmitt, Anne Accola, Samuel Lawrence

• 4 - 4:45 p.m.
  45th Anniversary of Apollo 17 Remembered

  Hear about the amazing adventures of Apollo 17 lunar model pilot Harrison "Jack" Schmitt. A geologist, he was the first scientist-astronaut and one of the last Americans on the moon.

  Panelist: Harrison Schmitt

Author Rick Houston and 15 different flight controllers, including co-author Milt Heflin, will autograph the book, "Go, Flight! The Unsung Heroes of Mission Control" at 2-4 p.m. This publication inspired the documentary "Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo," currently playing in our center.