The San Diego Air & Space Museum is proud to host the Apollo 16 50th Anniversary, one of the last times mankind walked on the Moon and one of NASA’s finest moments. The Apollo 16 50th Anniversary Celebration takes place at the San Diego Air & Space Museum on Saturday, April 23.

Tickets to this exclusive event are on sale at https://sandiegoairandspace.org/apollo16

“The Apollo program’s Moon landings are some of one of the most significant achievements in human history, and the San Diego Air & Space Museum is proud to host the 50th Anniversary Celebrations,” said Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “This year is the final year of the 50th Anniversaries of the Apollo program, offering an incredible opportunity to see, hear from, and meet personally the key figures who took part in the most extensive in-person exploration of the lunar surface, a goal of mankind from time immemorial. Apollo 16 is a true giant leap in the quest for knowledge and scientific discovery, and we are thrilled to host the celebration. The Apollo 16 50th Anniversary celebration is an evening to remember forever!”

Confirmed VIP Participants for the Apollo 16 50th Anniversary Celebration include:

Charlie Duke, Lunar Module Pilot, Apollo 16
On April 16, 1972, Astronaut and Apollo 16 Lunar Module Pilot Charlie Duke became the tenth and youngest human being to walk on the surface of the Moon. Apollo 16 was NASA’s second scientific expedition of the Moon, during which time Duke logged 20.25 hours in extra-vehicular activities (EVA) and collected some 213 pounds of soil and geological samples. He took the only videos of the lunar rover “in action” as it skidded across the surface. Duke is also known for his crucial role as CAPCOM — the Capsule Communicator — during the hair-raising Moon landing of Apollo 11.

Gerald D. “Gerry” Griffin, Apollo 16 Flight Director
Experience: Flight Controller, Gemini Systems; Flight Director, Apollo 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 16; Lead Flight Director, Apollo 12, 15, and 17; Deputy Director, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center; Deputy Director, Kennedy Space Center; Director, Johnson Space Center.

Gene Kranz, Apollo Program Flight Director
Eugene “Gene” Kranz – a former USAF fighter pilot and NASA Flight Director for Gemini 4 and Apollo missions 7,9, 11, 13, 15, 16 and 17 – was in control when three astronauts perished in a launch pad fire during a procedural test of Apollo 1 in 1967. That dramatic failure led NASA to what became known as the Kranz Dictum, “Tough & Competent”: A dedication to diligence and perfection that permeates through the agency to this day.

Dee O’Hara, NASA's First Aerospace Nurse
In 1959, Dee O’Hara became the first aerospace nurse assigned to NASA’s first seven astronauts, the “Mercury Seven.” Since then, O’Hara participated in every launch in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, allowing her to establish the foundations for the field of Space Nursing. After Skylab, she was invited to participate in the Apollo-Soyuz Test Program (ASTP) and the first shuttle flight in 1981. In 1974, O’Hara moved to the Ames Research Center where she managed the Human Research Facility until her retirement in 1997.

Other VIPs from the Apollo program to be announced as they confirm.

A limited number of tickets to this exclusive event are on sale at https://sandiegoairandspace.org/apollo16.

For partnerships and additional information, contact:
Nicole Velazquez x109 nvelazquez@sdasm.org
Michelle Wiseman x 111 mwiseman@sdasm.org
Jim Kidrick x101 jkidrick@sdasm.org.

All proceeds go the Education Programs at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.