- Events Celebrating NASA's 60th Anniversary -
Below is a list of events commemorating NASA's 60th anniversary, which arrives Oct. 1, 2018. Please note that some of these events require attendees to purchase tickets. Check the relevant website for more information.
Conductor Emil de Cou speaks after leading the National Symphony Orchestra during the "Space, the Next Frontier" event on June 1, 2018 at the celebrating of NASA's 60th Anniversary.Image Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani
NASA-Sponsored Events
There are no NASA events scheduled at this time.
Other Events
This listing is provided solely as a service to readers who may be interested in learning more about NASA’s history. While NASA may be providing exhibits or speakers at these events, they are not NASA events. Attendance may require paying entrance fees or purchasing tickets. NASA does not endorse the event or its sponsors. Information provided by the sponsors was accurate at the time of publication, but may have been updated.
Dec. 5-April 15, 2019, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Apollo 8 exhibit, LBJ Presidential Library and Museum, Austin, Texas.
Entrance fee required.
2019
July 13-20, Apollopalooza 2019, Wings Over The Rockies Air and Space Museum, Denver.
A regional celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing and future human space exploration. Activities, exhibits, seminars and morel dedicated to celebrating the first Apollo moon landing and showcasing the latest in space exploration and technology. Featuring an Apollo astronaut, industry leading companies, educational STEM activities and speakers. Entrance fee required.
July 16, Apollo Celebration Gala, Saturn V Center, Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Requires purchased ticket.
July 19-21, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Summer Moon Festival, Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wapakoneta, Ohio.
Neil Armstrong's hometown will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 landing. NASA will be there with exhibits, demonstrations and activities about historic and future lunar exploration.
Previous Events
2018
May 27-June 3, NASA 60th Anniversary Exhibition, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington
From May 27 through June 3, a special exhibit in the Kennedy Center’s Hall of Nations, curated in collaboration with NASA, will explore the story of man’s advancement into space and beyond, looking at aeronautics, planetary discovery, earth science, exploring the universe, and more. Visual attractions and a space-themed photo booth will be stationed in the Grand Foyer and Concert Hall lobby.
June 1-2, "Space: The Next Frontier," Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington
Conducted by Emil de Cou, the National Symphony Orchestra will perform music inspired by space, ranging from the theme to "2001: A Space Odyssey" (Strauss’s "Also Sprach Zarathustra") to music from Carl Sagan’s Golden Record and more. Special visuals projected on a large screen will examine our planet and beyond through the six decades since NASA’s inception. Another highlight of the program is the world premiere of "Voyage", a new work co-commissioned from award-winning composer Michael Giacchino (Star Trek trilogy, "Star Wars: Rogue One," and numerous Pixar films). Throughout the program, actor John Cho (Sulu in Star Trek series), novelist and screenwriter Nick Sagan (son of astronomer Carl Sagan), singer-songwriter Grace Potter, progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria, and singer-songwriter and composer will.i.am (also front man of Black Eyed Peas) make special appearances. Two ticketed concerts on consecutive nights.
flickr Photo Album of the EventJune 16, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., NASA Day in the Park, Big Spring Park East, Hunstville, Ala.
NASA will celebrate and showcase their latest endeavors and community contributions in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere. There will be exhibits, speakers, food trucks, music, and more.
July 21, 7:30 p.m., "Apollo 13", film with live orchestra, Houston
The first-ever performance of Apollo 13 with live soundtrack fittingly takes place in Houston as the complete film starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton is projected on the big screen at Jones Hall, with James Horner’s score performed live by the Houston Symphony. Relive the incredible story of one of the most thrilling and suspenseful space missions in history like never before in what promises to be an emotional and truly unforgettable concert event. Requires purchased ticket.
July 21, 5:30-10 p.m., "Apollo Celebration Gala, Saturn V Center, Kennedy Space Center, Fla.:
Requires purchased ticket.
July 23-29, EAA Airventure Oshkosh, Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisc.
More than 500,000 aviation enthusiasts from 80 countries are expected to attend EAA AirVenture to celebrate the past, present and future in the world of flight. Since 1980, NASA has had a strong presence, demonstrating the relevance of the Nation’s investment in aeronautics and space with exhibits, speakers and aircraft. Requires purchased ticket.
Aug. 18-19, Chicago Air & Water Show, North Beach, Chicago.
The Chicago Air and Water Show presents military and civilian flight acrobatics, simulated water rescues and parachute teams. NASA will be on the beach with exhibits and activities. Admission is free.
Sept. 6-7, "NASA@60: The Role of Robots," Von Karman Lecture, Pasadena, Calif.
Much has changed about the way we explore space in the 60 years since NASA began operations on Oct. 1, 1958. Today’s robotic spacecraft are beginning to experiment with laser communications, artificial intelligence and 3-D printed parts. But did you know some of the first spacecraft the U.S. sent the Moon included parts made of wood, or that spacecraft used to record data on motorized magnetic tape recorders? Despite all the advances, one thing hasn’t changed: we still rely on robotic spacecraft to extend our senses above and beyond Earth and to blaze a trail as precursors for human explorers. As NASA celebrates its 60th anniversary, this panel discussion will look back over the decades at how far our robotic exploration has come, and consider where we might be headed. Sept. 6 lecture will be at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Sept. 7 at Caltech. Click link for details.
Sept. 20-23, Intrepid Museum Space & Science Festival, New York
Presentations, space-themed talks and special programs. Activities on Pier 8 are free to the public. Programs inside the Museum require admission.
Sept. 22-23, 2018 NAS Oceana Air Show, Virginia Beach, Va.
Requires purchased ticket.
Sept. 29, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., NASA Glenn Visitor Center NASA 60th Anniversary Celebration, Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland.
NASA Glenn will host a special anniversary celebration in its Visitor Center at Great Lakes Science Center. The event is open to the public and will feature science demonstrations and a NASA astronaut appearance. General admission rates to Great Lakes Science Center will apply.
Sept. 29, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., NASA Glenn Research Center Special Tour, NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland.
NASA Glenn will host a special tour of its main campus for up to 200 guests. To participate in the tour, guests must have a ticket called a “Golden Astronaut.” A limited number of Golden Astronaut tickets will be randomly distributed at events, listed online, throughout the year. The tickets make the recipient a candidate to receive up to four (4) registered entries to attend the tour. To be eligible, a Golden Astronaut ticket holder must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and 18 years of age or older.
Sept. 29, noon - 4 p.m., Science demonstrations and tours of the Spacecraft Integration and Test Facility, Goddard Visitor Center.
Oct. 11, 10:30 a.m., U.S. Mint Apollo Commemorative Coin Design Unveiling, "Moving Beyond Earth" Gallery, National Air & Space Museum, Washington.
Unveiling of the final design for the U.S. Mint's Apollo 11 50th Anniversary commemorative coin, which will go on sale in January 2019.