Space Day Texas 2015
2015-03-18
Every other year, when the Texas Legislature is in session, NASA and aerospace industry partners travel to Austin, Texas, for Space Day. The purpose of Space Day is to inform all Texans of the Johnson Space Center community’s role in space exploration and its economic impact in Texas. Additionally, JSC aims to inform Texas legislators of the Texas Aerospace Scholars and Technology Outreach Programs administered by JSC and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP). NASA also receives recognition from the state for our work in Texas. Space Day events included educational activities on the South Capitol Lawn, exhibits in the Capitol Rotunda and teams of NASA officials and BAHEP partners visiting key Texas legislators.
On March 2, the JSC External Relations Office and representatives from International Space Station, Commercial Crew Program, Engineering, Orion, Exploration Integration and Science Directorate (EISD) and the Strategic Partnership Office traveled to Austin for Space Day Texas 2015. Travelers also included Deputy JSC Director Kirk Shireman and astronauts Tim Kopra and Randy Bresnik. Monday’s activities included setting up exhibits in the rotunda, as well as a kick-off reception sponsored by BAHEP in the Lieutenant Governor’s reception room at the Capitol. During the reception, Shireman expressed his thanks and appreciation for the state’s support of NASA, as well as the excitement surrounding future space developments.
March 3 marked the official start of Space Day 2015. NASA legislative visit teams met with 16 House offices, including the Speaker of the House, the Honorable Joe Straus, and 11 Senate offices. The House and Senate also recognized NASA with resolutions honoring NASA Space Day. Industry partner teams, comprised of BAHEP and members of the Aerospace Advisory Committee, which included representation from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, other aerospace companies and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, met with 135 House and 20 Senate offices. All 150 House offices and 31 Senate offices were visited by a Space Day representative team. The legislative teams also mingled with staffers during the Astronauts and Ice Cream Reception sponsored by BAHEP.
Legislative activities inside the Capitol building were complemented by events for all visitors in the Capitol Rotunda and events for students on the South Capitol Lawn. Exhibitors in the Capitol Rotunda included International Space Station, Commercial Crew Program, Orion, EISD, Space Food Systems, Engineering, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and SpaceX. The exhibits were open to legislators, staffers and tourists and featured hands-on displays of current projects or programs in human space exploration. The exhibits were arranged to tell the story of NASA’s journey to Mars by including backdrops in the Rotunda with pictures of Texas, low-Earth orbit, asteroids and Mars.
Despite the rainy start, more than 1,300 students gathered to participate in activities on the South Capitol Lawn. The lawn was filled with tables and tents featuring student-geared presentations from NASA, Commercial Crew Program, Austin Planetarium, Girl Scouts and Girl Start. Cosmo, JSC’s spacewalking mascot, made an appearance to keep the kids excited, and Bresnik signed autographs. The Driven to Explore mobile exhibit and Boeing Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering mobile exhibit joined forces to provide students with additional interactive learning experiences and a chance to touch a real moon rock.
The efforts for Space Day were greatly appreciated by legislators, staffers, students and the public. JSC activities were featured on local Austin TV stations and made their way into social media with tweets and posts from participants using the #SpaceDayTX hashtag.
Kathryn McLaurin
NASA Johnson Space Center
On March 2, the JSC External Relations Office and representatives from International Space Station, Commercial Crew Program, Engineering, Orion, Exploration Integration and Science Directorate (EISD) and the Strategic Partnership Office traveled to Austin for Space Day Texas 2015. Travelers also included Deputy JSC Director Kirk Shireman and astronauts Tim Kopra and Randy Bresnik. Monday’s activities included setting up exhibits in the rotunda, as well as a kick-off reception sponsored by BAHEP in the Lieutenant Governor’s reception room at the Capitol. During the reception, Shireman expressed his thanks and appreciation for the state’s support of NASA, as well as the excitement surrounding future space developments.
March 3 marked the official start of Space Day 2015. NASA legislative visit teams met with 16 House offices, including the Speaker of the House, the Honorable Joe Straus, and 11 Senate offices. The House and Senate also recognized NASA with resolutions honoring NASA Space Day. Industry partner teams, comprised of BAHEP and members of the Aerospace Advisory Committee, which included representation from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, other aerospace companies and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, met with 135 House and 20 Senate offices. All 150 House offices and 31 Senate offices were visited by a Space Day representative team. The legislative teams also mingled with staffers during the Astronauts and Ice Cream Reception sponsored by BAHEP.
Legislative activities inside the Capitol building were complemented by events for all visitors in the Capitol Rotunda and events for students on the South Capitol Lawn. Exhibitors in the Capitol Rotunda included International Space Station, Commercial Crew Program, Orion, EISD, Space Food Systems, Engineering, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and SpaceX. The exhibits were open to legislators, staffers and tourists and featured hands-on displays of current projects or programs in human space exploration. The exhibits were arranged to tell the story of NASA’s journey to Mars by including backdrops in the Rotunda with pictures of Texas, low-Earth orbit, asteroids and Mars.
Despite the rainy start, more than 1,300 students gathered to participate in activities on the South Capitol Lawn. The lawn was filled with tables and tents featuring student-geared presentations from NASA, Commercial Crew Program, Austin Planetarium, Girl Scouts and Girl Start. Cosmo, JSC’s spacewalking mascot, made an appearance to keep the kids excited, and Bresnik signed autographs. The Driven to Explore mobile exhibit and Boeing Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering mobile exhibit joined forces to provide students with additional interactive learning experiences and a chance to touch a real moon rock.
The efforts for Space Day were greatly appreciated by legislators, staffers, students and the public. JSC activities were featured on local Austin TV stations and made their way into social media with tweets and posts from participants using the #SpaceDayTX hashtag.
Kathryn McLaurin
NASA Johnson Space Center
NASA spokesperson Jay Bolden responds to a reporter's question during Space Day 2015. Image Credit: NASA
Astronaut Randy Bresnik fields a media interview in front of a space station model. Image Credit: NASA
Astronaut Tim Kopra mingles while eating ice cream during the Astronauts and Ice Cream Reception. Image Credit: NASA
During Space Day, JSC legislative teams and astronauts met with key legislators. Image Credit: NASA
NASA spokesperson Kacey Templin shares the wonders of the International Space Station with Driven to Explore visitors. Image Credit: NASA
Cosmo interacts with young fans. Image Credit: NASA
Kids took part in STEM activities during Space Day 2015 outreach. Image Credit: NASA