Complimenting the Museum of Flight’s exhibition done in partnership with the Smithsonian, Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission, showing now through Sept. 2, the To the Moon! program series presents the stories behind the artifacts, people, and places that made the July 20, 1969 moon landing possible.
To The Moon! features a wide-ranging selection of scientists, space experts, historians, authors, pilots, and even actors looking at the near and far sides of the lunar missions and their legacy. All programs are free with museum admission (unless noted).
Here’s what the Museum offers in July:
July 6
11 a.m.: Boots on the Moon – The Evolution of Spacesuits
Dr. Kavya Manyapu, test engineer for the Boeing Starliner Spacecraft, presents “Boots on the Moon” her talk about the evolution of spacesuits during our first Apollo missions, types of spacesuits, and the issues astronauts faced due to lunar dust during those missions. She will also talk about some of the new technologies to prevent dust contamination for future missions to the Moon.
2 p.m.: The Remarkable Astronaut – Two Presentations with Astronaut Story Musgrave. Flights with the Northrop T-38.
Story Musgrave is an astronaut with six space shuttle missions. He is also a mathematician, chemist, medical doctor, scientist, master of literature, artist and a pilot experienced in everything from gliders to high performance jets. Fabulously quotable, always entertaining, Musgrave is a force of nature with a perspective few people possess. He will be at the Museum to talk about flying the sleek Northrop T-38 Talon jet (the subject of his book of photography). A T-38 will be on view in the museum parking lot.
5:30 p.m.: Design a Life for Yourself
Story Musgrave presents experiences and philosophies from his wide-ranging and eccentric career in spaceflight and aviation. Lecture is free. Museum galleries closed.
July 13, 19, 21
3:30 and 7:30 p.m. July 13; 7:30 p.m., July 19; 3:30 p.m., July 19: Moon Landing – The Musical
Seen through the eyes of the astronauts, Stephen Edwards’ dramatic, musical re-telling of the Apollo space program reveals the human side to making history – from the families left behind to the men who struggled to return to Earth.
The musical premiered in 2007 at the Derby Playhouse in the United Kingdom and was nominated for a TMA award for “Best Musical Production.” This concert production will showcase selections from Stephen Edwards’ Moon Landing in its U.S. premiere.
July 14
2 p.m.: Cactus Moon – Arizona’s Role in the Apollo Moon Missions
Arizona played a key role in preparing to send humans to the moon in the late 1960s/early 1970s. The Apollo astronauts traveled to the Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, and volcanic fields around the state to learn geology and practice their lunar excursions. View vintage images and a video of a manmade crater field where astronauts trained.
July 16
2 p.m.: We Chose to Go to the Moon … 50 Years On – Photographer David Burnett
TIME Magazine photographer David Burnett presents his rare images of the throngs of people who came to Florida to witness the launch of Apollo 11. His photos convey a vivid and very personal sense of what the country looked like as the astronauts aimed for the moon.
July 19, 20, 21
2 p.m.: Lunar Block Party – Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Festival
In addition the Museum’s daytime programs, the Museum’s Lunar Block Party offers stellar evening events with family activities and live concerts by Britishmania Beattles Tribute Band on Friday and the 2019 American Idol Top Ten on Saturday. All Lunar Block Party main events require the purchase of a separate ticket.
Lunar Block Party Main events:
Friday July 19 – Flashback Friday with live performances by Britishmania Beatles Tribute band and tons of 60s-themed activities. 6-11 p.m.
Saturday July 20 – American Idol Live in Concert with winner Laine Hardy, runner-up Alejandro Aranda and the 2019 finalists. 6-11 p.m.
Sunday July 21 – Spashdown Sunday brunch with space experts. 9 a.m.-noon.
July 27
7 p.m.: Helicopter 66: The Recovery of Apollo 11 with recovery team pilot Bruce Johnson and flight surgeon Bill Carpentier.
U.S. Navy helicopter pilot Bruce Johnson and Apollo 11 Flight Surgeon Bill Carpentier discuss their famous role in recovering the Apollo 11 astronauts from the sea after their return from the moon. They were among the first people to greet the returning Apollo 11 astronauts moments after the Columbia spacecraft landed in the Pacific Ocean. Hear about their experiences first-hand.
MUSEUM
The Museum of Flight is at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field halfway between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum admission for adults is $25. Youth 5 through 17 are $16, youth 4 and under are free. Seniors 65 and over $21. Groups of ten or more: $19 per adult, $12 per youth, $17 per senior. Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission is admission plus $10. Thanks to Wells Fargo, on the first Thursday of every month, admission is free from 5 to 9 p.m. And parking is always free. There is a full lunch menu café in the Museum and a limited menu café in the Aviation Pavilion, both operated by McCormick & Schmick’s. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit museumofflight.org.
