Day of Remembrance at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Jan. 28
Guests Invited to Participate in Ceremony Honoring Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives Furthering NASA’s Mission of Discovery and Exploration
CAPE CANAVERAL (January 22, 2016) — KENNEDY SPACE CENTER – The Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF) is holding a Day of Remembrance ceremony Jan. 28, 2016, at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to honor the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia.
The annual event honors members of the NASA family who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery. This marks the 30th year since the space shuttle Challenger tragedy. A solid rocket booster malfunction 73 seconds after lift-off claimed the lives of seven crewmembers and the vehicle. The STS-51L Challenger crew included Commander Francis R. Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialists Judith A Resnik, Ellison S. Onizuka and Ronald E. McNair and Payload Specialists Gregory B. Jarvis and Sharon Christa McAuliffe.
The ceremony will take place at Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction. A wreath laying and flyover will take place at the Space Mirror Memorial, weather permitting. Built and maintained by the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization, the mirror was dedicated in 1991 to honor all astronauts who lost their lives on missions or during training. It has been designated a National Memorial by Congress and honors 24 astronauts whose names will be read during the ceremony. The Voices of Liberty from Walt Disney World Resort will perform the National Anthem and a closing selection. Vocalist Brandon Heath will perform “Out There” and “Love Never Fails.”
Ceremony speakers and special guests include:
- Thad Altman, The Astronaut Memorial Foundation president and chief executive officer
- Kathie Scobee Fulgham, daughter of space shuttle Challenger commander Dick Scobee
- Barbara Morgan, veteran NASA space shuttle astronaut
- Evelyn Husband Thompson, widow of Columbia spacecraft commander Rick Husband
- Vocalist Brandon Heath
- Eileen Collins, veteran NASA space shuttle astronaut
- Robert Cabana, Kennedy Space Center Director
- Jon McBride, retired Naval officer and veteran NASA space shuttle astronaut
Access to the Day of Remembrance ceremony and wreath laying at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is included with admission. The visitor complex will provide flowers for ceremony guests and visitors throughout the morning to place at the memorial.
About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S. space program, offering a full day or more of fun and educational activities, including the Kennedy Space Center Tour featuring the Apollo/Saturn V Center with an actual Saturn V moon rocket, Space Shuttle AtlantisSM, Shuttle Launch Experience®, IMAX® Hubble 3D and Journey To Space films, Astronaut Encounter, Journey To Mars: Explorers Wanted, Rocket Garden and many other interactive exhibits. Only 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing times varying by season. Admission is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers annual passes starting at $75 + tax for adults and $60 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.
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Lauren Eisele Walbert, Sandy Hillman Communications, lwalbert@hillmampr.com, 410-616-8943