Counting down

Huntsville's role in space program to be highlighted

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

By SHELBY G. SPIRES

Times Aerospace Writer shelby.spires@htimes.com

Over 10 days starting next week, Huntsville will count down to the 50th anniversary of the launch of Explorer I on Jan. 31 with space-related talks, displays and panel discussions.

City, county, NASA and U.S. Space & Rocket Center officials announced a series of several events that will begin Jan. 22 and end Jan. 31. Crafted to emulate the dramatic 10-second countdown of a rocket launch, the 10 days will showcase Huntsville's Rocket City heritage and participation in the space program.

It will culminate Jan. 31 with an afternoon astronaut symposium at the Von Braun Center and a black-tie gala celebration at the new $22 million Davidson Center.

The center houses the Saturn V rocket that Dr. Wernher von Braun and his Marshall Space Flight Center team used to test parts of the mighty Saturn rockets that ultimately placed 12 Apollo astronauts on the moon.

The 50th anniversary event marks the half century that has passed since the Army launched America's first satellite - Explorer I - into space. The event will feature former CBS journalist Walter Cronkite as a the main speaker.

The Explorer satellite was placed on top of a Jupiter-C rocket, an Army rocket that was designed and managed by von Braun's Redstone Arsenal rocket team. It was launched on Jan. 31, 1958, and the 30-pound probe answered questions about the environment of space. Notably, the Explorer probe and several that followed it helped Dr. James van Allen establish that Earth is ringed with radiation belts and a strong magnetosphere, which protect the planet from the harmful effects of the sun's rays.

Several Apollo astronauts have also indicated they will be in attendance at many of the events, said U.S. Space & Rocket Center CEO Larry Capps.

"We look forward to the celebrations, and really this is as much about the Saturn V getting the place of honor it deserves as well," Capps said. "This newly restored rocket will look as good and new as it did almost 40 years ago when it was delivered here."

Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer said the various celebrations across the 10 days before the main gala event, and the event itself, are important to keep Huntsville's legacy in the minds of young people.

"Those that follow us, our children and our grandchildren, need to know what sacrifices were made" for the space program.

"There was never a question in our minds that the city would participate and sponsor" the anniversary, Spencer said.

The events and especially the new Davidson Center "are important to challenge and inspire the next generation of NASA," said Marshall Director Dave King. "These exhibits show schoolchildren, and adults as well, what NASA did and how it plays into what NASA is doing in space today.

"I'm betting many future Marshall and NASA employees are going to walk through here, look at this Saturn V and go to Space Camp here."

The Davidson Center will officially open to the public Feb. 9.

Also, the upright Saturn V will be lit at night again, Capps said.

"We had to move the lights while we moved and built the Davidson Center," he said. "So on Jan. 28 we are going to flip the switch and people will be able to see the rocket across Huntsville and along (I-565) now for the first time in more than a year."



Counting down Huntsville's role in space program to be highlighted Tuesday, January 15, 2008 By SHELBY G. SPIRES Times Aerospace Writer shelby.spires@htimes.com Over 10 days starting next week, Huntsville will count down to the 50th anniversary of the launch of Explorer I on Jan. 31 with space-related talks, displays and panel discussions. City, county, NASA and U.S. Space & Rocket Center officials announced a series of several events that will begin Jan. 22 and end Jan. 31. Crafted to emulate the dramatic 10-second countdown of a rocket launch, the 10 days will showcase Huntsville's Rocket City heritage and participation in the space program. It will culminate Jan. 31 with an afternoon astronaut symposium at the Von Braun Center and a black-tie gala celebration at the new $22 million Davidson Center. The center houses the Saturn V rocket that Dr. Wernher von Braun and his Marshall Space Flight Center team used to test parts of the mighty Saturn rockets that ultimately placed 12 Apollo astronauts on the moon. The 50th anniversary event marks the half century that has passed since the Army launched America's first satellite - Explorer I - into space. The event will feature former CBS journalist Walter Cronkite as a the main speaker. The Explorer satellite was placed on top of a Jupiter-C rocket, an Army rocket that was designed and managed by von Braun's Redstone Arsenal rocket team. It was launched on Jan. 31, 1958, and the 30-pound probe answered questions about the environment of space. Notably, the Explorer probe and several that followed it helped Dr. James van Allen establish that Earth is ringed with radiation belts and a strong magnetosphere, which protect the planet from the harmful effects of the sun's rays. Several Apollo astronauts have also indicated they will be in attendance at many of the events, said U.S. Space & Rocket Center CEO Larry Capps. "We look forward to the celebrations, and really this is as much about the Saturn V getting the place of honor it deserves as well," Capps said. "This newly restored rocket will look as good and new as it did almost 40 years ago when it was delivered here." Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer said the various celebrations across the 10 days before the main gala event, and the event itself, are important to keep Huntsville's legacy in the minds of young people. "Those that follow us, our children and our grandchildren, need to know what sacrifices were made" for the space program. "There was never a question in our minds that the city would participate and sponsor" the anniversary, Spencer said. The events and especially the new Davidson Center "are important to challenge and inspire the next generation of NASA," said Marshall Director Dave King. "These exhibits show schoolchildren, and adults as well, what NASA did and how it plays into what NASA is doing in space today. "I'm betting many future Marshall and NASA employees are going to walk through here, look at this Saturn V and go to Space Camp here." The Davidson Center will officially open to the public Feb. 9. Also, the upright Saturn V will be lit at night again, Capps said. "We had to move the lights while we moved and built the Davidson Center," he said. "So on Jan. 28 we are going to flip the switch and people will be able to see the rocket across Huntsville and along (I-565) now for the first time in more than a year." © 2008 The Huntsville Times © 2008 al.com All Rights Reserved.