May 13, 2019 By Shane O’Brien

The New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) in Corona is about to launch a series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the first space mission to land astronauts on the moon.

July marks 50 years since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took man’s first steps on the lunar surface and the NYSCI is commemorating the historic event with a collection of space-themed exhibits.

Starting on May 17, the activities will run all summer long and will be accessible for the whole family.

Liz Slagus, director of public programs and residencies at NYSCI, said that they are “delighted to have the excuse of the Apollo 11 anniversary to celebrate past and present space exploration.”

“Achievements in terms of technologies, research and brave first steps will be on display with a full program of exhibitions, experiences, hands-on activities, screenings and events,” she continued.

Kicking off the celebrations will be the screening of ‘Apollo 11: First Steps Edition,’ which includes never-before-seen footage of the moon landing along with newly discovered audio recordings of communications between Houston and the Apollo spacecraft.

The film has been timed to coincide with the anniversary and will be screened daily over the summer.

‘Above and Beyond: The Ultimate Flight Exhibition’ will commence just two weeks after the first screening of ‘Apollo 11: First Steps Edition,’ and will feature a number of innovative technologies that immerse visitors in the space flight experience.

Using flight simulators, augmented reality, and virtual reality among other techniques, ‘Above and Beyond’ aims to give an authentic experience of space travel.

The Exhibition will also include a number of rides and challenges that allow guests to experience the trials faced by the astronauts 50 years ago.

On July 20th, the actual anniversary of the moon landing, ‘Apollo: A Party!’ will take place and will be open to all ages. The party includes space themed music, drinks and treats as well as the opportunity to take part in stargazing and solar observation.

A variety of labs, games, rides and other exhibitions will be taking place at different intervals throughout the summer to further enhance the authenticity of the celebrations.

A permanent space exhibit also exists at the NYSCI, showcasing rockets from the Mercury, Saturn and Gemini missions which preceded the Apollo missions. It is available to see, weather permitting, during park hours.

For more information, visit https://nysci.org/space-out-summer/