RoundupReads Astros NASA Night Knocks It Out of the Park

Astros NASA Night Knocks It Out of the Park

by Sumer Loggins | 2024-06-11

June 3, 2024, was a night to remember at Minute Maid Park in Houston as NASA’s Johnson Space Center brought an interstellar flair to the ballpark. The Houston Astros, decked out in Space City jerseys, faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals with about 300 members of the Johnson family rooting for the home team. 

To launch the excitement, Johnson employees shared their love for space and Space City while distributing NASA stickers and pins and sharing the agency’s story with baseball fans at a table in the stadium’s Hall of Fame alley. The booth featured Space Launch System and Orion models, space food samples, and a spacesuit helmet and glove. 

A group of people, including several children and adults wearing Houston Astros gear, are gathered around a table inside a stadium. A man in a Houston Astros jersey is speaking to them and showing them some items laid out on the table, which include packaged food and baseball merchandise. A group of people, including children and adults, are gathered around a table displaying space-themed models and items. One child is closely examining a model of a space rocket, while another child is looking at a model of a satellite.

Two people dressed in NASA orange astronaut suits and helmets are posing with a man in elaborate Houston Astros-themed attire. They are indoors, with a large window showing greenery in the background.
NASA's Johnson Space Center employees engage with baseball fans and bring space excitement to Minute Maid Park for a memorable Astros game. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz 

Throughout the stadium, fans had the opportunity to snap photos with Johnson employees dressed in spacesuits. The crowd was treated to a pre-recorded message from crew members aboard the International Space Station, along with NASA videos during inning changes and NASA facts highlighted on the big screen during the game. 

A view from behind home plate at Minute Maid Park, showing a pitcher throwing the ball towards a catcher. The Houston Astros mascot, Orbit, dressed in a jersey with the number 00, stands nearby watching. The Houston Astros mascot, Orbit, is standing on the baseball field with an astronaut and a Houston Astros player. The astronaut is wearing a blue NASA flight jacket and holding a baseball, while the player is in his Astros uniform holding a glove. Orbit is dressed in a Space City-themed jersey and hat, with antennas on his head.

NASA astronaut Anne McClain delivers the first pitch during Astros NASA Night at Minute Maid Park on June 3, 2024. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz  

Among the special guests was NASA astronaut Anne McClain, who had the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch. Fans cheered as she delivered a perfect strike. 

The Astros struggled to match McClain’s success but made a striking comeback in the bottom of the 8th inning to clinch the win. 

A group of people are posing in front of a colorful mural that features Houston Astros players and the word "RELENTLESS." The group includes individuals wearing NASA gear and Houston Astros attire. In the center, two people are dressed in orange astronaut suits, and another person is in a white astronaut suit.
Johnson employees gather for a group photo in the Hall of Fame alley at Minute Maid Park. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz 

Check out more images from the game below! 

A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
A group of people inside of a stadium engage with NASA employees at a booth.
Previous Article
Next Article