RoundupReads Orion, Artemis Take Center Court at Houston Rockets' Space City Saturday

Orion, Artemis Take Center Court at Houston Rockets' Space City Saturday

by Linda Grimm | 2024-01-23

Orion Program Manager Howard Hu is usually focused on NASA’s next moonshot, but on January 20, 2024, he was preoccupied with a different shot: Sinking the first basket at the Houston Rockets’ Space City Saturday game.

Hu and Johnson Space Center employees were invited to the Toyota Center to watch as the Rockets faced off against the Utah Jazz. Hu got the game off to an auspicious start, swishing his free throw and netting a $5,000 donation to charity from Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta.

A man wearing a Houston Rockets basketball jersey stands on the court between a bear mascot and an inflatable astronaut mascot.
Orion Program Manager Howard Hu poses with Houston Rockets mascot Clutch and NASA mascot Cosmo before making the first shot at the Space City Saturday game on January 20, 2024. Credit: Houston Rockets

The Rockets quizzed the crowd on NASA trivia throughout the game and showed the Artemis II crew on the arena’s jumbotron. Johnson volunteers also engaged with fellow fans through a NASA exhibit in the arena’s Sky Court area. The exhibit featured agency banners, a model of the Space Launch System, a spacesuit helmet and glove, and a hands-on crew assembly STEM engagement activity that simulated how astronauts handle small machine parts while in space. NASA’s inflatable mascot, Cosmo, was also on hand to take photos with fans and made an on-court appearance.

Children and their families visit an exhibit booth to learn about human space exploration.
Johnson Space Center team members shared the excitement of space exploration with fans at a NASA exhibit in the Toyota Center. Credit: NASA/James Blair and Jessica Cordero


Watch Hu make the first shot and enjoy more images from the game below.

Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
Photos of NASA's participation at a Houston Rockets basketball game.
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