You’re likely to hear a lot about space this summer. There’s a big 50th anniversary coming up: the first time humans set foot on the moon. To celebrate the Apollo 11 mission’s golden anniversary, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and other organizations are celebrating big. There’s a lot to celebrate; after all, the center is expected to send astronauts into space again very soon, like this year.
Chase the moon in Southwest Florida
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, WGCU is presenting a screening of Ready Jet Go! “One Small Step” for the smallest space explorers. Watch the new program, then Florida Gulf Coast University professor Derek Buzasi, who is a fan of stars, the solar system and the cosmos, will provide a fun presentation for the kids. The screening is in Room 214 of FGCU’s Cohen Center from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 22. Seating is limited; reserve a spot at wgcu.org/events. Also, a new app features Jet and friends and lets kids explore the cosmos as well. Go to pbskids.org/readyjetgo.
Take off at C’mon
The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples celebrates Apollo 11 on July 20 with science experiments, space travel challenges and lunar lingo. Get details at cmon.org.
MOSI launches new exhibit
The Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa, or MOSI as it’s more commonly known, is celebrating Apollo’s 50th with a new exhibit called "One Small Step, The Exhibition." Get details at mosi.org.
The Next Giant Leap
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex near Cocoa Beach is celebrating with lots of big events:
- June 8: “Picturing Apollo 11: Rare Views and Undiscovered Moments” book signing event
- July 15: KSCVC unveils renovations to its Apollo/Saturn V Center. This part of the complex explores the Apollo program from the first launch to the landings on the moon.
- July 16: At exactly 9:32 a.m., relive the excitement of watching Apollo 11 lift off through the launch sequence replayed in real time.
- July 20: The visitor complex honors man’s first steps on the moon with a special event.
- July 24: The Apollo astronauts returned with a splash into the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969. The KSC Visitor Complex hosts “Splashdown” in the Rocket Garden on July 24, 2019.
Plus, there are several community events this summer celebrating the anniversary, including an Astronaut Parade & Street Party on July 13 in Cocoa Beach. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. The street party is 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Are there any launches during the celebration?
You probably know that commercial companies have been carting cargo to the International Space Station from the Kennedy Space Center for a while now. But did you know that SpaceX is gearing up to send people? The first mission to launch astronauts from U.S. soil since the shuttle program was shut down in 2011 is expected soon. The March 2019 splashdown of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon was one step in getting ready for this. The manned mission date is to be determined. In the meantime, here’s what is on the launch schedule:
- June 22: The SpaceX Falcon Heavy goes on a mission for the U.S. Department of Defense.
- August 2019: The United Launch Alliance plans to send the Boeing Starliner aboard an Atlas V rocket in test flight without a crew. This launch is in preparation of human spaceflight returning to Florida.
How far is that?
The Kennedy Space Center is about 200 miles from downtown Fort Myers. That’s about a 3-hour, 35-minute drive (taking U.S. 17 to I-4). Add another 10-15 minutes if you take I-75 to I-4, or considerably more time on launch days. If you’re going to the moon, that’s farther yet: about 240,000 miles.
It’s a go
Get details about the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's celebration of the Apollo 11 50th anniversary at kennedyspacecenter.com/landing-pages/apollo-50th.