posted 12-28-2018 05:06 PM               

If the current U.S. federal government shutdown, which began Dec. 22, continues past Jan. 1, all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will close, effective Jan. 2.

The Smithsonian has been using prior-year funds to remain open to the public through Jan. 1. If the federal-funding lapse continues, all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will close Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.

posted 12-28-2018 05:13 PM               

Expect to see the New Horizons social media accounts continue to operate. The contract for these activities was forward funded. This applies to OSIRIS-REx and NASA TV too.

• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex continues to welcome guests during the government shutdown. All attractions at the main visitor complex remain open, as well as the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

  However, during the shutdown, we are unable to tour around NASA's operational facilities. All Special Interest Tours, such as the Explore Tour and Cape Canaveral Early Space Tour, are suspended. There will still be buses that will drive directly to the Apollo/Saturn V Center during the shutdown.

• Space Center Houston remains open.

  All programming at Space Center Houston continues, including the NASA Tram Tour, NBL tours, Level 9 tours, live presentations, films and educational programs, such as Space Center University.

• The U.S. Space & Rocket Center's operating hours are not affected by the government shutdown.

• INFINITY Science Center remains open during normal business hours. NASA Bus Tours to Stennis Space Center are cancelled until further notice.

posted 01-22-2019 05:30 PM               

NASA's annual Day of Remembrance reminds us to reflect on not just the sacrifices that have been made by our fallen family, friends, and co-workers, but also to remind us of our core values of safety, integrity, and teamwork as we carry out our history-making missions.

Unfortunately, most of our NASA family are on furlough and we recognize your participation in many of the Day of Remembrance activities would be a challenge. As a result, we have decided to delay our observance until we are all able to come together as a family to remember our fallen astronauts and those who have given their life in pursuit of exploration.

An updated time for our commemoration has not yet been selected, but we will make this a priority once the furlough is over and everyone is back to work.

I want to thank you for your service and dedication. As we work to venture beyond Earth it is important to recognize the rewards, the challenges, and the hazards of human spaceflight. We have opportunities every day to remember the courageous men and women who dedicated their lives to exploration and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Let us keep them in our hearts and minds as we strive to be better each day and build on our successes, and look to those we honor during our Day of Remembrance as courageous and model explorers.

I hope to see you back at work very soon. Again, thank you for your service and dedication during this challenging time.

posted 01-25-2019 07:11 PM               

Pending passage of a continuing resolution to fund the government, all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 29 at their regularly scheduled times.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will resume offering Special Interest Tours Tuesday, January 29. Starting Monday, January 28, the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour is resuming its full route to historic launch sites and working spaceflight facilities.