Honor the lives of those we’ve lost in the space program as we honor the astronauts of Apollo 1, and both the Columbia and Challenger tragedies. We will be hosting our annual Astronaut Commemoration event on Saturday, January 28th, to honor the 20th Anniversary of the loss of the Columbia Space Shuttle and her crew on February 1, 2003. 

More than a memorial, the day will be one of celebration for all that Columbia and her crew did for science and discovery. We will be showcasing its newest exhibit honoring the Astronauts of the Columbia Shuttle. Learn about the lives of each of the seven astronauts that were part of that last Columbia mission, STS 107, and how they pushed our journey to space and the STEM forward despite the tragedy. 

CMSC will be providing each guest with a commemorative brochure with information about each mission lost as well as the astronauts onboard.  The day will also include special activities for the entire family, including a dramatic play area specifically geared to preschool-aged astronauts.  Tour our Challenger Learning Center and feel what it’s like to be in Mission Control and a future Space Craft.  Special presentations by retired Shuttle and Apollo program engineers will be held throughout the day.  This is a special event and we hope you join us in commemorating these important events in the history of space exploration.