“America Celebrates the 45th Anniversary of Apollo 16” set for June 7 at the San Diego Air & Space Museum – Tickets on Sale Now!

A star-studded forum of astronauts and mission control directors from NASA’s legendary space programs -- Mercury, Gemini and Apollo -- will share in-depth personal experiences with guests during a rare special event at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

You watched them make history on television…now meet them live…and get a personal look at how they view the future of space…Space Cowboys all, they epitomized American innovation and perseverance.

San Diego, CA – A star-studded forum of astronauts and mission control directors will share in-depth personal experiences from NASA’s legendary Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs with Museum guests during a rare special event, “America Celebrates the 45^th Anniversary of Apollo 16,” at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park on Wednesday, June 7.

Only a few days left to reserve your seat for this historic evening!

Confirmed attendees as of this press release:

Charlie Duke – Apollo 16. The youngest astronaut to walk on the moon and CAPCOM for Apollo 11 – the historic first moon landing.

Walt Cunningham – Apollo 7. The first manned Apollo flight, following the disastrous Apollo 1 fire. Cunningham, Wally Schirra and Donn Eisele restored American confidence in space flight, leading to a moon landing less than a year later.

Al Worden – As Command Module Pilot for Apollo 15, the first extended scientific exploration of our moon, Worden spent six days orbiting our neighbor in space, including three days completely alone, the most isolated human in existence.

Gerry Griffin – Lead Flight Director for three moon landings – Apollo 12, 15 and 17 – and a key figure in resolving the Apollo 13 crisis. Griffin’s NASA vision was always forward looking, and he routinely consults on matters related to future deep space exploration.

Fred Haise – Apollo 13, Space Shuttle Enterprise. As Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 13, Fred Haise planned to land on the surface of the moon and make a series of explorations. Instead, he battled to survive the journey around the moon and back home. He had previously served on the backup crews for Apollo 8 and Apollo 11. Later, he flew Space Shuttle Enterprise to three successful test landings, clearing the way for the shuttle to fly in space.

“This is an incredible opportunity to meet and see American heroes who literally made history,” said Jim Kidrick, President and CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “A gathering of so many of the remaining members of NASA’s legacy space programs – Mercury, Gemini and Apollo – is a rare and important event in today’s world. ‘America Celebrates the 45^th Anniversary of Apollo 16’ will be the place to be this summer, not just for aviation and space enthusiasts, but for anyone who wants to learn the true meaning of courage and perseverance!”

Twenty-four Americans journeyed to the moon in just four years – from 1968 to 1972. Lunar exploration hit new heights during the last two of those four years, with extended stays on the moon, ambitious exploration on the surface and from orbit, and long journeys in electric powered lunar rovers.

Apollo 16 is considered by many one of the high points of space exploration and one of the most ambitious scientific expeditions ever.

The astronauts’ accomplishments were made possible through the hard work of a team of hundreds of dedicated men and women who spent more than ten years focusing on successfully landing on the moon.

“America Celebrates the 45^th Anniversary of Apollo 16” is a rare opportunity to experience yesterday’s real “Space Cowboys” and meet today’s trailblazers as they share their vision of the Final Frontier. This exciting evening will highlight the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs and offer a glimpse into the future of space exploration.

Proceeds from the evening benefit the Museum’s youth education programs.

For more information and to purchase tickets for “America Celebrates the 45^th Anniversary of Apollo 16” visit http://sandiegoairandspace.org/calendar/event/america-celebrates-the-45th-anniversary-of-apollo-16.

The San Diego Air & Space Museum is California’s official air and space museum and education center. The Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and was the first aero-themed Museum to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Now showing: Be the Astronaut, a fun, interactive experience where you fly and spaceship, drive a rover and land on the Moon, Mars, Jupiter and an asteroid. The Museum is located at 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101. The Museum and gift store are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with admissions until 4:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.