By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It was the space race of the 1960’s and 1970’s that helped make the Cosmosphere what it is today. The race to the moon and the artifacts and history that were a part of it have been the staple of the museum as it approaches its 60th birthday.
Now moon missions are on the way back to the front of the space program with the Artemis 1 launch scheduled for Monday.
“Who thought it would be 50 years before we’re actually getting back to the moon,”Cosmosphere President Jim Remar said. “It’s incredibly exciting. It’s the dawn of a new era and one that the Cosmosphere is proud to bring to the public.”
Remar says that the Artemis missions will also benefit the space museum by keeping the missions in front of their potential visitors.
“Anytime space is front and center in the media and the public, it’s a good thing for us,” Remar said. “And when it happens to be a return to the moon, something that hasn’t been accomplished for quite a long time, it really benefits us.”
Remar also noted that many of the youth who have attended space camps at the Cosmosphere will also benefit from the new moon program.
“The students that participate in our programs, whether it’s summer camps or the school year education programs, hopefully understand and recognize the importance of what they are going to witness,” Remar said. “And understand or hopefully realize that spark was potentially ignited by their participation in programs at the Cosmosphere.”
Artemis 1 is set to launch Monday morning at 7:33 CDT. The Cosmosphere will have the lobby open and breakfast available for anyone who wants to come watch.
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