July 27, 2013 
Kennedy Space Center | Apollo/Saturn V Center
Tickets: $750

A Night to Remember
ASF along with astronauts representing every era of manned spaceflight will gather on the evening of July 27, 2013 to both commemorate the 40^th anniversary of Skylab’s launch into space and honor the courageous, tireless and innovative men and women who made the Skylab missions, which in many ways laid the foundation for both the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs, a success.

Dine beneath a Saturn V rocket

Every Guest a VIP
The Skylab 40^th Anniversary Celebration begins with a champagne social and a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity with Skylab astronauts. Guests then proceed into the breathtaking Apollo/Saturn V center for a sumptuous reception featuring islands of fresh salads, gourmet entrees and delicious accompaniments, as well as an open cocktail bar. Then, in the Lunar Theatre, Skylab astronauts will share their memories of living and conducting groundbreaking science on board the world’s first space station. The evening concludes with a lavish dessert spread offering a variety of tempting sweets and specialty coffees. Private round-trip transportation between the host hotel and KSC is provided.

Astronauts Attending
All eight living Skylab astronauts are scheduled to take part:

	Alan Bean Commander, Skylab 3		Gerald Carr Commander, Skylab 4
	Owen Garriott Science Pilot, Skylab 3		Ed Gibson Science Pilot, Skylab 4
	Joseph Kerwin Science Pilot, Skylab 2		Jack Lousma Pilot, Skylab 3
	Bill Pogue Pilot, Skylab 4		Paul Weitz Pilot, Skylab 2

Robert Crippen, Karol “Bo” Bobko and William Thornton,  the astronauts who participated in the Skylab Medical Experiment Altitude Test (SMEAT), a 56-day simulation undertaken in preparation for Skylab, are also slated to attend. 

Ticket-holder Takeaways
In addition to sharing a memorable evening with many of America’s most notable space heroes, every ticket-holder receives a professional print of their photograph alongside Skylab astronauts, a commemorative CD full of memories captured throughout the event, and a DVD of the Skylab astronaut discussion program.

Reserve Your Tickets
Space for the Skylab 40th Anniversary Celebration is limited to 100 guests, and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets may be found in the Astronaut Store. If you would like to arrange for your tickets over the phone, please call Nicole at 321-455-7014.

To Make a Donation
If you cannot make it to the event but would like to make a tax-deductible donation to Astronaut Scholarship Foundation in honor of Skylab’s 4o^th anniversary, please use the button below. We’ll mail you a commemorative event program as our way of saying “Thanks!”

Astronaut Scholar Daniel Araya addresses guests at the 2013 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction Gala

I feel very privileged to be here tonight. I have such tremendous respect for the collective achievements of the people in this room. So I’m very grateful for this opportunity to share with you my story and hopefully convince you that your money was well spent.

I received the Astronaut Scholarship five years ago while I was a junior studying aerospace engineering at Texas A&M University. When I found out that Apollo 7 astronaut Walt Cunningham was coming to A&M to personally deliver my over-sized check, I can vividly remember feeling first overly excited and then quite nervous thinking to myself, “Oh my gosh, what am I going to say to this walking, talking legend of the American space program?” So, to calm the nerves a bit, I did some homework and read his book, The All-American Boys, thinking that it would at least give me something to talk about, and that if I somehow didn’t like it I just wouldn’t mention it and I’d think of something else to say. Thankfully, it turned out that I really liked the book and I told him that when I met him, and also the bit about how I’d considered not telling him I’d read it. He thought that was funny, and I was happy to find that he was the same candid, calm and cool Walt Cunningham in person as I had come to know from his book. That experience was really special for me.

This scholarship is really special. I’ve been very lucky to go on to win other academic awards in my career, including two prestigious graduate fellowships funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense. However, the ASF award stands out above the rest to me because it made a significant impact on my education right when it was most important. I have to confess that I made the mistake in high school of not applying for scholarships when I applied to college. Only later did I learn that almost all undergraduate scholarships are reserved for incoming freshmen, and the few that aren’t are highly specialized with minimal financial support. Even as a half-Ethiopian, half-Hungarian, first-generation American with a 4.0 GPA I struggled to find support through school. But then I had the good fortune of winning the Astronaut Scholarship, which to my knowledge is the largest merit-based scholarship for non-incoming freshman undergraduates in the country. And I know of a lot, because I probably applied to all of them. So this award was huge for me. It propelled me forward. Not only financially, but personally and professionally as well.

Five years doesn’t seem that long, but it certainly feels like a lot has happened in that time. To give you the highlights, I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University in 2008 and 2011. In between degrees, I spent half a year as a volunteer teacher of English and physics to schoolchildren in Tanzania. In 2009, I married the most beautiful girl at the NASA Johnson Space Center, and just last September we welcomed our first daughter, Leila, into the world. I wish I could show you pictures of her, but then I’d definitely go over on time because we made a pretty cute baby and I literally have thousands of pictures.

Astronaut Scholar Daniel Araya visits the Caltech Field Laboratory for Optimized Wind Energy (FLOWE).

Today, I am in the second year of a Ph.D. program in aeronautics at the California Institute of Technology, where I am working in wind energy research. We are developing an exciting new wind farm design that was actually inspired by fish schooling and we’ve proven, through field experiments, that this design produces more than ten times more power per unit land area than modern wind farms. This is significant because in 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy set a goal of generating 20% of the U.S. energy using wind resources alone by the year 2030. As of the end of 2012, the total electricity produced from wind power in the U.S. was about 3.5%, which leaves a lot of room for improvement, and I’m excited to be at the forefront of helping to reach this goal for our country.

To conclude, on behalf of all of the Astronaut Scholars, I’d like to thank the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation for its support and example of excellence. We, the scholars, are but a handful of the exceptional talent that America has to offer in science and engineering. But the Astronaut Scholarship gives us this unique connection to an awe-inspiring group of American heroes that continues to be a gift long after the monetary support has fulfilled its purpose. So thank you. Thank you all, very much.

With the star-studded 2013 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction Gala coming to Kennedy Space Center on April 19, now is the time for corporations looking to expand their reach in the aerospace and commercial spaceflight industries to sign on as sponsors.

The event, which supports the nonprofit Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s (ASF) mission to aid the U.S. in retaining its world leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by providing scholarships to exceptional college students pursuing degrees in these fields, is a black-tie affair honoring astronauts Curt Brown, Eileen Collins and Bonnie Dunbar.

As partners in this astronaut-endorsed venture, all sponsors receive benefits including but not limited to company recognition before and during the event, as well as tickets to the gala, which includes a reception and gourmet four-course dining experience under a restored Saturn V rocket. Sponsors also enjoy ample opportunity to interact with astronauts, space fans, community leaders and aerospace industry executives.

“We would love to welcome some new sponsors to the ASF family,” said Linn LeBlanc, the foundation’s executive director. “The gala offers high-tech leaders the opportunity to build valuable relationships while supporting a great cause and honoring the achievements of some very deserving astronauts.”

There are several levels of event sponsorship available, including Galaxy Sponsor ($40,000), the event’s most exclusive tier, which includes: four reserved tables, each hosted by Hall of Fame astronauts; 32 VIP tickets to the event; a private luncheon with Hall of Fame astronauts; 32 admission tickets to KSC for the induction ceremony on April 20; and significant recognition before, during and after the event.

Only one Galaxy Sponsor space is available, and because the 2013 induction is the first in history to welcome two women astronauts simultaneously, LeBlanc hopes the spot will be taken by a company that champions the importance of women leaders in STEM fields.

Companies are also invited to participate at the Mars Sponsor ($25,000; two available), Moon Sponsor ($14,000), Space Station Sponsor ($6,000) and Table Sponsor ($3,000) levels. Full details about each level and a sponsorship form are available at www.AstronautScholarship.org/ahoftickets. For more information, contact Nicole@AstronautScholarship.org or 321-455-7014.

More than 40 exciting lots are up for grabs in ASF's spring space auction, including a diving experience with moonwalker Buzz Aldrin!

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s (ASF) Spring Auction of Astronaut Experiences & Memorabilia opens at 9 a.m. (EST) today at www.AstronautScholarship.org/auction. The online charity auction features seven astronaut-accompanied adventures as well as 36 lots of rare, flown-in-space and autographed collectibles.

Treasures up for grabs include a Greek flag that journeyed to the moon with Command Module Pilot Al Worden on Apollo 15, a NASA-issued Fisher “Space Pen” used aboard the Skylab space station by astronaut Bill Pogue, and a genuine radio cable from an apparatus worn by mission specialist George “Pinky” Nelson during his space walk.

Items like these are popular among both amateur and veteran collectors. But what about the “astro-nut” who has it all, or the space fan who is not a collector? “That’s why we offer Astronaut Experiences,” said Linn LeBlanc, executive director of ASF. “They’re unique, tons of fun, unforgettable…and they don’t take up any room in your house.”

The seven ASF-exclusive Astronaut Experiences being offered include a private Cayman Islands diving voyage with legendary Apollo 11 astronaut (and second man to set foot on the moon) Buzz Aldrin, a VIP day at NASCAR’s Coke Zero 400 with Apollo 16 moonwalker Charlie Duke, and a Colorado mountain climbing expedition with space shuttle astronaut and Everest-conqueror Scott Parazynski.

“Two of our Astronaut Experiences—a classroom visit from Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise and a Space Camp adventure with space shuttle astronaut Jan Davis—are perfect for space enthusiasts with kids,” said LeBlanc. “I can’t think of a better opportunity for a bright young person with a passion for science and space exploration.”

All 43 lots of space artifacts, astronaut memorabilia and experiences, which together represent every era of manned spaceflight, will be on the auction block until 10 p.m. (EDT) on March 15, 2013. Winning bids, over fair market value, may be considered a charitable donation.

To participate, go to www.AstronautScholarship.org/auction, register for a virtual paddle number, and start bidding!

Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which aids the U.S. in retaining its world leadership in science and technology by providing scholarships to exceptional college students pursuing degrees in these fields. Astronaut Scholarships are the largest monetary awards given to undergraduate science, engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM) students in the U.S. based solely on merit. To date, the Foundation has awarded $3.5 million to deserving students nationwide. For more information visit: www.AstronautScholarship.org.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – Adventure-seekers scouring the Web in search of unique “things-to-do” need look no further than Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s (ASF) Spring Auction of Astronaut Experiences & Memorabilia, which opens Thurs., March 7, 2013 at 9 a.m. Eastern at www.AstronautScholarship.org/auction.

The seven exclusive Astronaut Experiences being offered line up with many of 2013’s top predicted vacation trends, which include river cruises, outdoor adventures, and “unique experiences.”

ASF’s auction features a private Chesapeake Bay cruise aboard the “Sea Toy,” the 43-foot vessel owned and captained by space shuttle astronaut Fred Gregory, as well as the chance to do some Denver-area mountain climbing with Scott Parazynski, the first astronaut to scale Mount Everest.

Then there’s VIP access to NASCAR’s Coke Zero 400 accompanied by Apollo 16 moon-walker Charlie Duke. Or a personal tour of the National Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center and the orbiter Discovery with astronaut Joe Allen, who once flew on it.

“These are perfect examples of activities that are great alone and even better when you do them with an astronaut hero by your side,” said Linn LeBlanc, executive director of ASF. “How do you improve a trip to the Cayman Islands? You add a private diving voyage with the legendary Buzz Aldrin, second man to set foot on the moon!”

The Aldrin experience is anticipated to be among the auction’s most fervently contested lots. But LeBlanc expects that space enthusiasts with kids might be more interested in treating their young ones to a classroom visit from Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise, or a Space Camp experience featuring shuttle astronaut Jan Davis.

“Astronauts embody the idea that if you study hard, you can do anything,” said LeBlanc. “I can’t think of a better way to validate and encourage a young person’s interest in science, technology and space exploration than an Astronaut Experience.”

The seven Astronaut Experiences, as well as 36 lots of rare space artifacts and astronaut memorabilia representing every era of manned spaceflight, will be on the auction block until 10 p.m. (EDT) on March 15, 2013. Winning bids, over fair market value, may be considered a charitable donation.

Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which aids the United States in retaining its world leadership in science and technology by providing scholarships to exceptional college students pursuing degrees in these fields. Astronaut Scholarships are the largest monetary awards given to undergraduate science, engineering, technology and mathematics students in the U.S. based solely on merit. To date, ASF has awarded $3.5 million to deserving students nationwide. For more information visit: www.AstronautScholarship.org.

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This year’s raffle features two extraordinary watches, an OMEGA Gents’ Speedmaster Titanium Chronograph Edition or a Ladies’ Constellation Polished Quartz Edition, both courtesy of OMEGA, popularly recognized as the first watch brand to be worn on the Moon.

Raffle tickets are being offered at $20 each, $60 for five, $100 for 12 and 30 for $200 (that’s less than $7 per ticket). They can be ordered in the Event Tickets section of ASF’s Astronaut Store or during the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction Gala, being held at Kennedy Space Center on April 19, 2013.

All proceeds from the raffle benefit ASF, a nonprofit organization, and purchases may be considered a tax deductible donation.

Raffle winners will be selected in a random drawing at 9 p.m. on April 19, 2013, at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction Gala, though ticket holders need not be present to win. Contributions are voluntary and not a requirement to win. Limit 30 tickets per person.

Morrison with the instruments she uses in her research.

Astronaut Scholar Christine Morrison received the Astronaut Scholarship award just before her senior year at the University of Michigan. She graduated in May 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with highest honors.

After graduating, Morrison was met with almost immediate additional success. First, she published a section of her undergraduate thesis in an academic journal. Then, she embarked on a year-long research program at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany as a Fulbright Scholar.

Morrison spent her Fulbright year doing chemistry research full-time. As a result, she went on to write and publish two original academic papers and presented her work at an international conference. Today, Morrison is in her second year of doctoral studies at the California Institute of Technology, supported by a fellowship from the National Science Foundation.

On July 26, registration will open and the auction catalog will preview for the 2013 Fall Semi-Annual Auction of Astronaut Experiences and Memorabilia!

Details on the items up for auction remain guarded until then, and anything could be within your reach whether it’s a piece of material flown to the Moon and back, or an exciting adventure with one of America’s original astronauts.

Come back soon to browse through a plethora of exciting lots perfect for space fans and collectors alike and secure your virtual paddle number!

Bidding begins August 9, 2013 at 9:00 AM EDT and closes August 16, 2013 at 10:00 PM EDT. See the rules and regulations for full auction guidelines.