Kennedy Library to host Space Fest on Saturday

JFK Space Fest marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. NASA photo.

The JFK Library will host JFK Space Fest on Sat., July 20 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission and the completion of President Kennedy’s mission to send a man to the moon. The festival, which will include special activities and guest speakers from NASA, will run from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

During the presentation segment, former astronaut and space flight veteran Franklin R. Chang Diaz will discuss his career and research findings; NASA electrical engineer and spacesuit engineer Su Curley will explore new ways for astronauts to survive in space and on other planets; and former NASA engineer — and inventor of the Super Soaker — Dr. Lonnie Johnson will talk about his career and current research.

In addition to attending guest speaker presentations, attendees will be able to participate in a series of virtual reality, audio, and hands-on activities led by scientists from the Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysics Center, including learning to write your name in binary code, exploring the Milky Way and solar eclipses, holding a 3D model of a dying star in your hand, and learning about the important interactions between the Earth, the Moon and the Sun with an astrophysicist.

Other activities include a build (and launch) your own rocket project, space-themed poetry, a pop-up exhibit of NASA spin-off technology, a cappella music entertainment, and Space Jeopardy.

All guest speaker presentations in Smith Hall will be free and open to the public. Visitors ages 17 and under will be admitted to the Museum free of charge on this day. Additional student, military, senior, and EBT discounts available. Regular Museum admission fees apply to all other visitors.

In celebration of Apollo 11’s 50thAnniversary, the JFK Library will reveal a special buzzword on Facebook and Twitter in the week leading up to the event. Visitors who provide the special buzzword upon admission on July 20, 2019 will receive $2 off admission prices.

The JFK Space Fest is made possible by generous support from lead sponsor Raytheon Company, as well as The Boeing Company and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.


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