32nd Annual Planetary Congress Lands at Johnson Oct. 15

by Catherine Ragin Williams | 2019-10-10

2019 marks the 32nd Association of Space Explorers (ASE) Planetary Congress—and only the fourth time it has been held in the United States. This year, the Congress will host the largest gathering of delegates from around the world in its history. They will converge in Houston from Oct. 14-18, visiting NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston, among other venues.

Part of the Congress includes a technical session at JSC on The Apollo Experience, which all team members are invited to attend (as space allows).

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 15
Location: Teague Auditorium
Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon

The Apollo program taught the space-faring nations a great deal, and the experience gained is still applicable today. Watch as Apollo astronauts and mission control personnel describe the lessons learned. Panelists include: George Abbey, Walt Cunningham, Gerry Griffin and Fred Haise.

ASE members—125 flown astronaut/cosmonaut delegates—touring JSC that morning will also attend the panel. Please note: There will be no time for autographs or photos at this event.

What would you like to ask The Apollo Experience panelists? The only way to ask questions is via our system here. Be sure to “upvote” your favorites!

For those who aren't able to view the event in the Teague, it air live on NASA TV and be streamed live at www.ase2019.org.

Other options to view from Johnson include JSC Cable TV channel 4-2. JSC team members with wired computer network connections may watch using the JSC EZTV IP Network TV System on channel 4522 (HD). Please note: EZTV currently requires using Internet Explorer on a Windows PC or Safari on a Mac. Mobile devices, Wi-Fi, VPN or connections from other centers are currently not supported by EZTV. Questions? Visit the FAQ site.

Those off-site can watch the event on JSC's Ustream channel.

VIPs gather in the newly restored Apollo Mission Control Center. Pictured (from left) are NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, JSC Director Mark Geyer, State Representative Dennis Paul, Apollo Flight Director Glynn Lunney, former JSC Director George Abbey, Apollo Flight Controller Ed Fendell, U.S. Congressman Brian Babin, Apollo Flight Director Gene Kranz and State Senator Larry Taylor. Abbey, center, will be a panelist for the technical session. Image Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz

Astronaut Walt Cunningham suits up for Altitude Chamber Test in Florida. Image Credit: NASA

Photo taken in mission control during Apollo 15's fourth lunar surface spacewalk. Pictured, from left, are Glenn Lunney, Gerry Griffin, Pete Frank and Milton Windler. Image Credit: NASA

President Richard M. Nixon presents the nation's highest civilian award to the Apollo 13 crew. Pictured are James A. Lovell Jr., (next to the Chief Executive), commander; John L. Swigert Jr. (left), command module pilot; and Fred W. Haise Jr., lunar module pilot. Image Credit: NASA

Astronaut Rusty Schweickart, lunar module pilot of the Apollo 9 crew, wears the Extravehicular Mobility Unit for an Apollo 9 Countdown Demonstration Test. Image Credit: NASA