Moonwalk anniversary celebrations set across area
The 50th anniversary of the historic moonwalk has finally arrived, and celebrations are set across the Houston area. Events will mark the lunar landing on July 20, 1969 and continue through the splashdown, which occurred July 24, 1969.
For a full listing, visit chron.com/local/space/ mission-moon. To read the Chronicle’s Mission Moon project about the lunar landing and its impact on the world, visit houstonchronicle.com/ missionmoon.
ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
Space Center Houston: Daily events at Space Center Houston, 1601 NASA Parkway, run through July 24 and include tram tours of the historic Mission Control Room at the Johnson Space Center, Apollo 11 mission briefings and Apollo 11-themed pop-up science labs. The events are included in the price of a general admission ticket. Tour is included with general admission ticket. Adults: $29.95; children 4-11, $24.95.
Apollo 50 Live Sponsor Activity Tent: A tent full of activities, displays and giveaways for visitors. Space Center Houston, 1601 NASA Parkway. Included in the price of a general admission ticket. Runs through Sunday.
SATURDAY
Apollo 50 Live at Space Center Houston Celebration: All-day event. First 15,000 guests get a commemorative LED wristband. Members: $20; Nonmembers: $49.95. Opening ceremony begins at 9:15 a.m., with presentations and events throughout the day. Outdoor concert and festival beginning at 8 p.m. Live countdown to Neil Armstrong’s first steps at 9:56 p.m. with synchronized, lighted wristbands. Space Center Houston, 1601 NASA Parkway. NASA Night at Discovery Green: Appearance by astronaut Steve Bowen, screening of the movie “Apollo 11.” Special events. 6-10 p.m. Discovery Green Park, 1500 McKinney St., downtown Houston. Free. Children’s moon landing celebration: The Children’s Museum of Houston will host a Star Wars fan celebration for the moon landing. 10 a.m. Children’s Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz St.
Apollo Legacy Celebration Tours: Visitors to the Houston Museum of Natural Science can take a lunar landing tour to learn the history of Apollo, choose a mission control team and board a spacecraft simulator. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Houston Museum of Natural Science.
The Moon: Space exploration scientist David Kring of the Lunar and Planetary Institute will give a talk using a sculpture to point out the moon’s geologic formations, asteroid impacts and historic landing sites. WindSync, an awardwinning wind quintet, will play a piece composed by Marc Mellits to celebrate the 50th anniversary. Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Dr. Members: $14; non-members, $20.
Sky Fest: Apollo 11: Looking Back to Move Forward: Presentations from Dr. Walter Kiefer of the Lunar Planetary Institute will explore the moon via virtual reality, immersive planetary shows, and interact with lunar meteorites. Lunar and Planetary Institute, 3600 Bay Area Blvd. Free.
Health, Moon and Beyond: Experts from Baylor College of Medicine’s Translational Research Institute for Space Health and Center for Space Medicine will discuss health issues with two former NASA astronauts. Following the panel is a screening of Smithsonian’s “The Day We Walked on the Moon.” 3 p.m. The Health Museum, 1515 Hermann Dr.
MONDAY
NASA Night at Houston Astros: First pitch will be thrown by Neil Armstrong’s son, Rick Armstrong. 5 p.m. Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston. Price is cost of admission to the game.
TUESDAY
Lunch with Apollo Flight Controllers: Attendees will eat lunch with an Apolloera flight controller and will have an opportunity to talk with them about their memories and experiences. Space Center Houston, 1601 NASA Parkway. Members: $40 for adults; $11 for children. Non-members: $69.95 for adults; $35.95 for children. Ticketed event with limited capacity. Apollo 11 Mission Splashdown Party: Tickets required to attend a 1960sthemed evening bash with a buffet dinner and live music. Space Center Houston, 1601 NASA Parkway. Event included with a general admission ticket to Space Center Houston. Adults: $29.95; children 4-11, $24.95.
Exhibit at University of Houston: NASA is presenting the Destination Station mobile exhibit along with other special information and technology, and will discuss internship opportunities to future scientists and engineers. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. UH main campus, 4800 Calhoun Rd. Free.
SATURDAY, JULY 27
NASA Night at Houston Dynamo: NASA will hold an event with fans during the Dynamo game in celebration of the Apollo 11 50th anniversary. 7 p.m. BBVA Compass Stadium, 2200 Texas Ave. Price is cost of admission to the game.