Day-Long Event Will Feature Meet And Greets, Signing Opportunities With Atlantis Astronauts

The first Atlantis space shuttle launch took place from Cape Canaveral 30 years ago on October 3. While the spacecraft have been relegated to museums, the legacy of America's "space truck" will be celebrated by the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center with a day-long event.

Exclusive “30 Years of Atlantis” events will be offered throughout the day and include watching a live version of the engaging video series “Tell Me A Story,” ongoing showings of the video “Reflections of Atlantis,” and meet and greets and signing opportunities with Atlantis astronauts including Jerry Ross, Mike McCulley, Bo Bobko, Charlie Walker, Bob Springer and more.
 
On Oct. 3, 1985, Atlantis launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on her first mission, STS 51-J. Atlantis was also the last orbiter to land at Kennedy Space Center July 21, 2011, concluding NASA’s 30-year Space Shuttle Program. Today, Atlantis is in her new home – the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at the visitor complex – displayed with her payload bay doors open.

The “Tell Me a Story…Live” presentation on the bottom floor of Space Shuttle Atlantis will offer legendary stories told by astronauts who flew aboard Atlantis.
 
“Reflections of Atlantis,” a video celebrating the iconic orbiter, will show every 15 minutes in the Hubble Theater. With a breathtaking view of the orbiter just a few feet away, the video features highlights of the 33 launches and missions completed by Atlantis and her astronaut crews.

(Atlantis exhibit image provided by the Kennedy Space Center Complex. Other image from file)

FMI: www.kennedyspacecenter.com