Community Information and Resources

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- He's the man who made it possible for us to get a close-up look at Saturn's rings. He showed us details of the violent storms on Jupiter and revealed volcanic activity on Jupiter's moon, Io. He spent much of his career guiding the tiny Voyager spacecraft through our solar system revealing sights, and even sounds, never before available. He is Dr. Edward Stone, principal investigator on nine NASA spacecraft missions including Voyager, and the former Director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. On January 30th, he'll be presented with the Ernst Stuhlinger Visionary Award at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's Annual Gala.

Presenting the Stuhlinger Award this year is the man who once held the record for the most hours spent on national television. Although Hugh Downs is probably best known for the 21 years he spent on the anchor desk at ABC's 20/20 television news program, he is also the Chairman of the National Space Society's Board of Governors.

"Imagine designing, building and then launching a pair of spacecraft that would spend over 30 years traveling the solar system sending back data and images never before available to us. That is exactly what Dr. Stone and his Voyager program have given us," says Larry Capps, CEO of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. He adds, "He's a perfect choice for the Stuhlinger Award."

The activities begin at 1:00 P.M. with book signings by astronaut Owen Garriott, David Hitt, Ed Buckbee, and Fred Ordway. Copies of their respective books will be available for purchase. At 5:30 P.M., the Space Center will cut the ribbon on their newest permanent exhibit, "The Challenge," which chronicles Huntsville's rise from the watercress capital of the world to the world renowned Rocket City. A reception follows and the gala begins promptly at 7:00 P.M. The evening concludes with dancing under the Saturn V to the music of the Flashbacks.

A limited number of individual tickets and corporate tables are still available for purchase. For more information, please contact the USSRC's Community Relations Director Rebecca Sconyers at 256-721-5409.

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(NOTE: The contact for this release is Al Whitaker, Media Relations Manager, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL 256-721-7160. Email: media@spacecamp.com)