Johnson Employees Mark Independence Day at Freedom Over Texas

by Linda Grimm | 2023-07-20

A team of Johnson employees braved the July heat to share NASA’s mission with thousands of guests at Freedom Over Texas on July 4, 2023. The agency’s space pavilion continued to be a major draw, exciting and engaging Houstonians of all ages with the SEV (Space Exploration Vehicle), Gateway and Artemis models, a hands-on VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) activity, STEM engagement demonstrations about living and working in space, and a space suit display.

A group of employees from NASA's Johnson Space Center pose with the agency's Space Exploration Vehicle. — *Johnson employees pose with the Space Exploration Vehicle in NASA’s space pavilion at Freedom Over Texas in downtown Houston. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz*

An estimated 50,000 people converged upon Eleanor Tinsley Park and Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston for the city’s signature Independence Day celebration, which culminated in what organizers describe as a “Texas-sized” fireworks show. NASA’s participation generated significant media coverage, including in-person interviews of Johnson staff on ABC 13, KHOU 11, and Telemundo. The SEV’s journey downtown was also captured by local broadcast news.

Enjoy more photos from Freedom Over Texas below.

Pictures of people enjoying NASA's space pavilion at downtown Houston's Freedom Over Texas Independence Day celebration.