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2008 Astronaut Autograph & Memorabilia Show

Astronaut Charlie Bolden welcomes show guest

Astronaut Mike Mullane signs memorabilia for guests

Astronaut Scott Carpenter with ASF Patron Bruce Moody

Astronaut Walt Cunningham with wife Dot

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin with guests

Astronaut Al Worden (right) with ASF Scholar and Board Member Larry Bradley

ASF Board of Trustees' Suzi Cooper and volunteer Pam Burnette offer Omega raffle tickets to show patrons

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's Astronaut Autograph & Memorabilia Show blasted off at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Nov. 7 - 9, 2008. With more than 25 hero astronauts and space icons in attendance, the event was the largest astronaut autograph show in the world!

Tropical Evening with the Astronauts Dinner

Communications Mgr. Beth Higdon with ASF Founder Scott Carpenter

Astronaut Al Worden and Tom Stafford present Kim Topley with an Omega Speedmaster Watch that he won that evening in a raffle

Astronaut Jim Lovell plays straightman for Famed comedian Bill Dana, a.k.a. Jose Jimenez

ASF donors Leon Ford (left) and Jerry Matulka (right) with ASF Exec. Dir. Linn LeBlanc

Astronaut Gene Cernan chats with dinner guests

The Tropical Evening with the Astronauts dinner was held on Nov. 8, 2008 at the Radisson at the Port, Cape Canaveral, FL, as part of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's Astronaut Autograph & Memorabilia Show weekend. The casual dinner provided a platform for guests to mingle and talk with over 25 legendary astronauts who were in attendance. The overall weekend, including this dinner, auction and autograph show, generated close to $200,000 for the scholarship program.

Gemini XII 40th Anniversary

Buzz Aldrin and Jim Lovell in the Rocket Garden at Kennedy Space Center

Buzz Aldrin and Jim Lovell explain their mission during the panel discussion

Buzz Aldrin shows Jim Lovell the Ball USA Watch raffle winner — astronaut Jon McBride

Jon McBride and Al Worden auction off McBride's watch

Jim Lovell poses with Astronaut Scholars (L to R) Brian Schratz, Lisa Schott, and Robert Panish

GT-12 Pad Leader, Gunter Wendt, tells a "gotcha" story

Astronauts Al Worden and Dan Brandenstein close the event with familiar GT-12 signs

On November 11, 2006, The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation celebrated the 40th anniversary of Gemini XII, with Commander James Lovell and Pilot Buzz Aldrin, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The event was a huge success as the crew mingled with guests and retold their triumphed story during the dinner. In total, the event raised $40,000 for the scholarship program, and potentially another $30,000 through a crew-signed limited commemorative photo.

Apollo-Soyuz Test Project 30th Anniversary

Kubasov, Leonov, Travolta, Stafford, and Brand at KSC

Travolta with Leonov during dinner

Miles O'Brien moderates the ASTP panel discussion

The crew in front of the ASTP Command Module Capsule at KSC

Gen. Tom Stafford gives a toast in Russian, while Alexei Leonov translates in English

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation celebrated the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project's 30th anniversary with a 350-person gala at the Kennedy Space Center on July 15, 2005. In attendance were astronauts Gen. Tom Stafford and Vance Brand (Deke Slayton was represented by his widow, Bobbie Slayton), and cosmonauts Alexei Leonov and Valery Kubasov. Famed actor and aviator, John Travolta, served as Master of Ceremonies and CNN anchor and aviator, Miles O'Brien, served as Panel Moderator. The gala raised upwards of $100,000 for the scholarship program.

2004 "Astronauts on the Mississippi" Riverboat Cruise

Astronauts entertain the guests aboard the American Queen Riverboat

American Queen Riverboat

Mercury, Gemini, & Apollo Astronaut Wally Schirra and Apollo Astronaut Al Worden

Mercury Astronaut Gordon Cooper with his wife Suzie

Astronauts and guests enjoying an onboard meal

Hotel Manager Tony Suittle greets Al Worden on the boat

Astronauts visit Stennis Space Center and tour the engine test stands

(August 2004) Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, Wally Schirra, Al Worden, Bill Dana, and their respective spouses joined in a fabulous fundraiser. The "Astronauts on the Mississippi" riverboat cruise aboard the American Queen raised $35,000 for the Foundation's scholarship fund.

Apollo 13 IMAX Experience

Ron Howard assumed that there was a "weightless room" around somewhere

Capt. James Lovell and Flight Director Gene Kranz captivate the audience with Apollo 13 stories

Tom Hanks and Ron Howard share memories with Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden and Capt. James Lovell

(November 2002) Apollo 13 IMAX Experience with Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, and Astronaut Jim Lovell at the Kennedy Space Center Vistor Complex. Thanks to the participants and patrons, it was the single most successful event in the history of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

40th Anniversary of Americans in Orbit

John Glenn and Gordon Cooper talk with the media during a press conference

Bill Dana performs his stand up routine with Wally Schirra as his straight man

Capt. James Lovell introduces the four Mercury astronauts — Cooper, Schirra, Carpenter, and Glenn

John Glenn, Wally Schirra, and Scott Carpenter

Mercury Wives: Suzi Cooper and Jo Schirra

(February 2002) The event honored Mercury Astronauts John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra, and Gordon Cooper, while raising several thousands of dollars for the scholarship program.