Grand Opening of the Davidson Center for Space Exploration

Construction on the Davidson Center for Space Exploration is nearly complete, and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is excited about its Grand Opening Gala on the evening of Thursday, January 31, 2008. The response from community members and Saturn V Project donors was so phenomenal that the event is completely sold out. The USSRC expects nearly 1,400 guests! The Davidson Center officially opens to the public in February 2008, and at this time many space artifacts will already be relocated to the new facility. The entire museum plan, which includes a variety of exhibits, artifacts, and interactive kiosks, will be implemented over subsequent months, as funding permits.For more information on how you can make a donation toward new exhibits in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, please click here.

SPACE CAMP Scholarships

SPACE CAMP scholarship applications for the 2008 season have been received and are currently being reviewed and processed by the USSRC Scholarship Office. To date, over 300 applications have been received. Scholarship recipients should be notified by March 16, 2008.

If you would like to contribute to the SPACE CAMP Scholarship Fund, you may click here to make a donation online.

 Alumni Spotlight

The following letter was received from Juan Archila, a SPACE CAMP alumnus from Caracas, Venezuela, who had the incredible opportunity to interview former NASA astronaut Story Musgrave for a school project:

Hi, my name is Juan Andres Archila. I was born on May 15, 1995, in Caracas, Venezuela. As long as I remember I have always wanted to be an astronaut. A year ago I went to SPACE CAMP in Huntsville, Alabama, which was an incredible experience for me.

Right now I study 7th grade in Washington Academy on Caracas, Venezuela and the project for this year was a fair in which my classmates and I had to present a career to all the school what we would like to do when we grow up. To fulfill the requirements of the project I had to interview an astronaut, which seemed really difficult, so I wrote a letter to SPACE CAMP to see if they could help me set up an interview with an astronaut. Imagine my surprise when they sent me an email telling me that they had arranged an interview with Story Musgrave! Imagine my face when he answered the phone and said "Hello Juan, nice to meet you."

Story dedicated almost 18 minutes of his time to talk to me. The interview included questions about the career, the requirements, and where I can become an astronaut. Of course this opportunity doesn't come often so I included some questions of my own regarding his experience as an astronaut, what it meant to him to have the opportunity to be an astronaut, and his experience in space. He was patient enough to answer all of my questions and to give me advice on how to pursue a career in space.

It was very important to me to hear Story's view of being an astronaut. Being an astronaut is not just about going to space. It is about being the best you can be, about the pursuit of happiness, and about making a difference no matter where. He also encouraged me in my effort to become an astronaut. The whole project also taught me a lot about perseverance and that if you believe in something and put your heart to it maybe you can make the impossible happen.

My presentation was a big success and I got the highest grade based on the effort to find the information, the thoroughness of the interview, and the description of the process to become an astronaut.

Before this project and the interview I knew I wanted to be an astronaut but I didn't know that much about what it really meant. Today I'm more determined than ever to become an astronaut and I have a precise idea on how to approach the process. In the meantime, I'm preparing myself to attend SPACE CAMP again (this time SPACE ACADEMY) and I have already enrolled one of my friends to come with me.

I never thought that going to SPACE CAMP was going to become a turning point in my life (neither did my parents). I am very lucky to have had this experience.

I would like to thank SPACE CAMP for giving me this opportunity and for all their dedication and effort. I will also like to thank the astronaut Story Musgrave for his time and interest. It was a big honor for me to talk to him. It was a once in a life moment that I will never forget. Thank you all for this opportunity.

Thank you
Juan Andres Archila

 Second Annual SPACE CAMP Hall of Fame

The second annual SPACE CAMP Hall of Fame banquet will be held Saturday, July 19, 2008, at the USSRC's Davidson Center for Space Exploration. The event will be held in conjunction with the Fifth Annual Saturn/Apollo Reunion, which will take place on the evening of Friday, July 18, 2008, creating a huge reunion weekend for SPACE CAMP alumni and Saturn V Team members.

2008 nominees will be selected for each of the Hall of Fame categories: Friend of SPACE CAMP, Former Employee, and Former Camper. One inductee will be selected from each category. Individuals who were nominated in 2007 but were not selected will be automatically considered for the 2008 induction. The Hall of Fame nomination Web site is now up and running, and a survey form pertaining to the Hall of Fame will also be available to all SPACE CAMP alumni. Former campers can give feedback about last year's Hall of Fame as well as provide suggestions for improvements for 2008's celebration. Some of the survey questions will include information about the formality of the event, the type of dinner, ticket price, and interest in attending the Saturn/Apollo Reunion or any other "reunion" events. Please click here for more details.

For suggestions, questions, or comments about this Alumni Newsletter, please email us at alumni@spacecamp.com .