Windsor Locks, Conn. – Experience out of this world fun at the New England Air Museum’s annual SPACE EXPO. This in-person special event will feature guests from this region’s aerospace groups, activities for children and families, and much more.
Space Expo returns on Saturday, April 27, featuring keynote speaker Mike Mullane, NASA Astronaut (Ret.), Col., USAF (Ret.). Upon his graduation from West Point in 1967, Colonel Mullane was commissioned in the United States Air Force. As a Weapon Systems Operator aboard Phantom aircraft, he completed 134 combat missions in Vietnam. Mullane was selected as a Mission Specialist in 1978 in the first group of Space Shuttle Astronauts. He completed three space missions aboard the Shuttles Discovery” and “Atlantis” before retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 1990.
Mullane is the author of several books, including his uniquely entertaining memoir, “Riding Rockets, The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut.” Mike Mullane will speak on his experiences as an astronaut at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and will be available to meet with visitors from 10 to 10:45 a.m. and 2:15 to 3 p.m..
In addition to Mullane’s appearance, SPACE EXPO 2024 features opportunities for visitors to meet life-size intergalactic characters from the 501st Legion Connecticut Garrison. Families are also invited to participate in the Cosmic Kids Challenge, climb aboard historic aircraft, learn about life in space, and more!
Special guests for SPACE EXPO 2024 include the 501st Legion CT Garrison, Aldrich Astronomical Society, Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford, CATO Rocketry Club, Collins Aerospace, Danbury FIRST Robotics Teams, Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 166, Springfield Museums, Springfield Stars Club, and the Talcott Mountain Science Center.
Food will be available for purchase from Lattitude Restaurant’s Pizza Truck and Tacos La Rosa. SPACE EXPO is supported by the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium.
SPACE EXPO is open to the public, and all lectures, events, and activities are included with general admission. SPACE EXPO will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the museum will close at 4 p.m. Admission is $23 for ages 15 to 64, $19 for seniors 65 and up, and $13 for youth ages 4 to 14. New England Air Museum members and children ages 3 and under are admitted free of charge.
The New England Air Museum is located at 36 Perimeter Road in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, adjacent to Bradley International Airport. For more information about the New England Air Museum, visit https://neam.org/ .
