DannyOlivas portrait courtesy of NASAWhat: The BIG BANG Festival, sponsored by the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation, kicks off the Foundation's 50th anniversary celebration. The event features special guest Shuttle Astronaut Danny Olivas offering two free presentations in the New Horizons Theater and then he'll be the guest of honor for that evening's "Dinner with an Astronaut".

The museum and theater will open at 10:00 am on July 4 for "Members Day" and parking will be in the lower parking lot. Education tents and vendors will occupy the upper parking lot. During the day, join the museum's education department in their first annual Air Rocket Competition. Air rocket building starts at the top of each hour, with launching on the half hour throughout the day. Buy a model rocket from the gift shop and the educators will help you put it together (model rocket launches will take place on Saturday, July 8!).

When: Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 starting at 10:00 am

Where: New Mexico Museum of Space History, Alamogordo, NM.

Why: "Normally, the museum is closed on Tuesdays but with our Foundation's 50th anniversary and the City's July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza on the grounds that evening, we think it's a perfect day to celebrate with a BIG BANG for Members Day," said ISHF Foundation President Johnny Powell. Foundation members will have full access to the museum and theater, along with the educational activities, and they can bring all the friends and family members they can fit in the car. Non-members can sign up at the bottom of Highway 2001 (which leads up the hill to the museum) and join in the fun or purchase a ticket for "Dinner with an Astronaut" and receive a 90 day membership.
To learn more about Foundation membership, visit the museum's website and click on "Become a Member".

About Shuttle Astronaut Danny Olivas:  https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/d_olivas_profile.html
  https://www.nasa.gov/feature/dr-john-daniel-danny-olivas-pe

About the New Mexico Museum of Space History:   www.nmspacemuseum.org