KSC events salute 40 years of American women in space
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is marking the 40th anniversary of astronaut Sally Ride becoming the first American woman in space with multiple events this week.
On Thursday and Friday, panels of former female astronauts and NASA officials will gather at 11 a.m. to discuss their histories and how they helped change the workplace. There will be photo opportunities after the 40-minute session in the Heroes and Legends attraction.
Thursday panelists are scheduled to include former astronauts Anna Fisher and Kathy Thornton; Caley Burke of NASA’s Launch Services Program; Col. Erin R. Guiden, U.S. Space Force; Kelly DeFasio, KSC site director for Lockheed Martin Spacecraft Orion and Kimberlyn B. Carter, Exploration Ground System with Kennedy Space Center.
The panel on Friday will include Fisher and Thornton plus Vanessa Wyche, director of Johnson Space Center; Noelle Zietsman, vice president of Boeing Exploration Systems; and Nancy Cuty, partnership development manager with NASA Kennedy Center Planning.
Lisa Malone, former director of public affairs for KSC, will be the moderator on both days.
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The panels are included with regular admission to the visitor center. An afternoon tea will be available both days at 3:30 p.m. inside the Chat With an Astronaut area for an additional charge. The small-group setting will include hors d’oeuvres, champagne, commemorative gifts, tea and private meet-and-greets. Its cost is $83 per person plus admission.
On Saturday, there will be a book signing with Meredith Bagby, author of “The New Guys: The Historic Class of Astronauts That Broke Barriers and Changed the Face of Space Travel,” alongside contributor/former astronaut Anna Fisher. They will be at Shuttle Express from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The book looks at the era when NASA first expanded its field astronaut candidates beyond white male fighter pilots. Some copies of “The New Guys” will be available for purchase Saturday. (Bagby and Fisher will be signing the book only.)
In addition, the complex is offering the “Mission to the Moon” scavenger hunt, which revolves around Commander Callie Rodriguez, a character from the graphic novel “First Woman,” and a robot named RT. A paper map (also available on the attraction’s app) steers participants through six solar system-themed education stations, culminating with a collectible prize.
The scavenger hunt is included with admission and will be available through Aug. 6.
For tickets or more information, go to kennedyspacecenter.com.
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