NASA and Rice University in Houston will hold a series of events in September to commemorate the 60th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's historic speech at Rice Stadium, rallying the nation to land astronauts on the Moon by the end of the decade and safely return to the crew to Earth.
The agency will broadcast live coverage of the final event on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website on Monday, Sept. 12, at noon EDT (11 a.m. CDT).
The keynote speaker will be NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, and the programme will include other agency officials, dignitaries, and local and national elected officials.
The stadium's gates will open to the public at 9 a.m. CDT on Monday. The event will include exhibits from NASA, Space Center Houston, Rice University, and space industry partners commemorating Kennedy's historic challenge and unprecedented commitment of resources that set a young space agency on the path to success with the successful landing of Apollo 11 astronauts on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
Today, NASA is preparing to launch its Artemis I test flight to the Moon, ushering in a new era of human deep space exploration. NASA plans to launch the Space Launch System rocket no earlier than Monday, Aug. 29, to send the Orion spacecraft on the Artemis I flight test around the Moon and back to Earth.
"In 1962, President John F. Kennedy gave a historic speech at Rice University about his groundbreaking plans for the new frontier, including sending the first humans to the Moon." Sixty years later, we have decided to go to the Moon - and then to Mars."
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated. "We are preparing for the first test flight of Artemis I, the world's most powerful rocket." We're going to the Moon this time to establish a human presence and learn how to live and work in deep space in preparation for the first human missions to Mars. As the Artemis Generation prepares to travel further into space than ever before, we continue to build on the legacy of the Apollo programme."
NASA's Artemis missions will land the first woman and first person of colour on the Moon, utilising cutting-edge technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before for the benefit of all. NASA will establish the first long-term presence on the Moon in collaboration with commercial and international partners. Then, using what it has learned on and around the Moon, humanity will embark on the next giant leap: sending the first astronauts to Mars.
"We are excited to welcome the community to Rice University to commemorate President Kennedy's historic speech and the critical role Houston has played in shaping our nation's space programme," said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center."NASA's Apollo Program captivated the world's attention and demonstrated the power of America's vision and technology to spark generations of great accomplishments, exploration, and scientific discovery." Our space leadership continues as we return to the Moon and inspire the next generation of explorers who will carry us to even greater heights."
Other events and activities include:
Saturday, September 10
- 10 a.m. CDT (11 a.m. EDT) - NASA pavilion and Industry and Research exhibits are free to the public.
- 6:30 p.m. CDT (7:30 p.m. EDT) — Rice University Owls vs. McNeese State University Cowboys football game in Rice Stadium,
Sunday, September 11
- Community Day: NASA and industry exhibit open to the public at 10 a.m. CDT (11 a.m. EDT).
Monday, September 12th
11 a.m. CDT (12 p.m. EDT) - As previously stated, NASA will broadcast live coverage of the main event. Among those attending will be:
- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson
- Bob Cabana, NASA associate administrator
- Vanessa Wyche, director, NASA Johnson Space Center
- Shannon Walker, NASA astronaut
- Reggie DesRoches, president, Rice University
- Dr David Alexander, director, Rice Space Institute (master of ceremonies)
- Jean-Loup Chrétien, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut, retired
- Avalon Hogans, Houston’s youth poet laureate
Rice University will provide details for media accreditation at its venue soon. Get additional information about the event, exhibits, and related activities online at: