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Two astronauts to make appearances, schedule changed for Space Fest on May 4

  • Published
  • By Sarah Swan
  • National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
DAYTON, Ohio --  Special appearances by astronauts Dr. Anna Fisher and Pamela Melroy will be part of this year's Space Fest at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on May 4.

The astronauts will speak about their experiences in space, with the opportunity for autographs and pictures to be taken with them. The presentations will take place in the museum's Carney Auditorium. Space is limited, and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fisher, who now serves as a management astronaut in NASA's Capsule Communicator Branch and Exploration Branch, was a mission specialist on STS-51A and STS-61H. During her time at NASA, she also served in the Space Station Support office as the crew representative supporting space station development in the areas of training, operations concepts and the health maintenance facility. Fisher will speak at 10:30 a.m.

Former astronaut Pamela A. Melroy spent more than 14 years with NASA. She was the pilot on STS-92 Discovery in 2000 and STS-112 Atlantis in 2002 and was the mission commander on STS-120 Discovery in 2007, making her one of only two women who commanded the space shuttle. Melroy currently serves as director of field operations at the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Commercial Space Transportation and is a member of the Air Force Museum Foundation Board of Managers. Her presentation will take place at 2:30 p.m.

Space Fest has been scaled back from its original schedule due to budget reduction requirements related to sequestration. The museum, in partnership with the Dayton Challenger Learning Center and with the participation of more than 20 other organizations, is now planning to offer space-related activities for all ages from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

The event begins with a kids' fun run at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 5K run/walk through a scale version of the solar system at 9 a.m. Throughout the rest of the day, a multitude of other space-related programs will take place inside and outside the museum, including special appearances by astronauts, a Sun-Gaze with telescopes, a sneak peek into NASA's first space shuttle Crew Compartment Trainer, aircraft cockpit look-ins, musical performances by area bands, hands-on activities, model rocket building and launching, and much more.

Admission to most activities is free, although there is a cost associated with the kid's race and 5K run, as well as discounted fees for movies shown in the museum's digital theatre and to ride the interactive simulators. For up-to-date details about the event, please visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/spacefest.asp.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free. For more information about the museum, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.


NOTE TO PUBLIC: For more information about Space Fest, please contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Education Division at (937) 255-1560 (recording).

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, please contact Sarah Swan at (937) 255-1283 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division.