Update to the August 22, 2015, Fly Around Dine Around events at the Cosmosphere:
The Honored Guest list for the 4th Annual Fly Around Dine Around events taking place August 22, 2015, has been updated with the removal of Gene Kranz, Lead Flight Director for Apollo 13. Mr. Kranz is unable to attend this year’s event for personal reasons.
The Cosmosphere will be welcoming Apollo 13 astronauts James Lovell (Commander), Fred Haise (Lunar Module Pilot), and Mission Control support Jerry Bostick (Flight Dynamics Officer, Maroon Team), Gerry Griffin (Flight Director, Gold Team), Hal Loden (CONTROL, Black Team), Jack Lousma (CAPCOM, White Team), Glynn Lunney (Flight Director, Black Team), and Milt Windler (Flight Director, Maroon Team).
The event schedule for the day has not changed, and will proceed as follows:
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Apollo 13 Redux
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. MicroNauts and Innovator’s Workshop
4 p.m. Building closes to public in preparation for evening events
5 p.m. Pre-Flight Cocktail Hour (sold out)
6 p.m. Dark Side of the Moon Dinner (sold out)
7:30 p.m. Sweet Memories Splashdown Reception
Event descriptions, ticket prices and availability can be found at here
August 22, 2015, the Cosmosphere’s 4th Annual Fly Around Dine Around celebrates the 45th anniversary of one of the most dangerous and difficult manned missions in the history of the space program – with the crew that survived it, and the team that brought them home. The event will feature Apollo 13 flight crew James Lovell (Commander), Fred Haise (Lunar Module Pilot), and Mission Control support Jerry Bostick (Flight Dynamics Officer, Maroon Team), Gerry Griffin (Flight Director, Gold Team), Hal Loden (CONTROL, Black Team), Jack Lousma (CAPCOM, White Team), Glynn Lunney (Flight Director, Black Team), and Milt Windler (Flight Director, Maroon Team).
The celebration will take place throughout the day, with family-friendly educational activities, and resume in the evening, with a cocktail hour, dinner with a panel discussion, and dessert reception – all of which will provide attendees with the opportunity to mingle with the Honored Guests.
Daytime Events
From 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., a brand new program from the Cosmosphere’s education team, “Apollo 13 Redux,” explores what happens when you take a group of ordinary people and ask them to tackle a crisis that threatens the lives of three astronauts and the future of the space program. Attendees will work as a team in a hands-on, problem solving scenario. They will gather information from Apollo 13 astronauts and Mission Control specialists in attendance, assess the situation, develop a plan, and communicate it to three stranded astronauts to help them return home safely. “Apollo 13 Redux” is for ages 12 and up, tickets are $25 per person.
The Cosmosphere’s newest educational programs for families, “MicroNauts” and “Innovator’s Workshop,” will have special hands-on, STEM-based Apollo 13-themed activities from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. “MicroNauts” is for ages 2-7, and children must be accompanied by a responsible adult (no additional cost). “Innovator’s Workshop” is for ages 7-12, and children may be dropped off but must be signed in and out by a responsible adult. One hour’s admission to either program is included in the cost of an All-Day Mission Pass, or available to purchase separately for $5 per hour per child.
Evening Events
Evening events begin at 5 p.m. with a Pre-Flight Cocktail Hour, featuring hors d’oeuvres, adult refreshments, and conversation with all of the Honored Guests in attendance. At 6 p.m., the Dark Side of the Moon Dinner gives attendees the opportunity to take a seat against the backdrop of the International Space Station and enjoy a delicious meal while engaging in a panel discussion with all of the Honored Guests. The Sweet Memories Splashdown dessert reception beginning at 7:30 p.m. provides tasty treats and coffee to finish out the evening under the SR-71 Blackbird, where Honored Guests will be available to meet and greet attendees, sharing tales of their trials, tribulations, and triumphs.
Odyssey tickets, which included admission to all of the evening’s events, are SOLD OUT.
Aquarius tickets, which include admission to the Dark Side of the Moon Dinner and the Sweet Memories Splashdown, are SOLD OUT.
Saturn V tickets, providing admission to the Sweet Memories Splashdown, are available for $25.
A Junior Fly Around Dine Around experience, available to children and grandchildren (ages 2-12, must be potty trained) of Odyssey and Aquarius ticket holders for $25 per child, will take place from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. “MicroNauts” and “Innovator’s Workshop” activities will be provided from 5-6 p.m., dinner will be served at 6 p.m. After dinner, hands-on Apollo 13 activities, a show in the Justice Planetarium, a special tour of Apollo 13’s command module, Odyssey, and Journey to Space in the Carey Digital Dome Theater will keep young minds entertained and engaged while adults enjoy the evening events.
Apollo 13’s History With the Cosmosphere
The Cosmosphere has a unique history with the Apollo 13. The facility serves as home for flown command module, Odyssey, which resides in the Hall of Space Museum. SpaceWorks, the Cosmosphere’s conservation, restoration, and fabrication division worked to recover the dismantled module – some 80,000 parts – in 1995 and restore it to its original post-flight condition. The project was completed in 1998. The SpaceWorks team also fabricated the majority of props and set pieces for the 1995 Apollo 13 film, directed by Ron Howard.
A special exhibit, commemorating the 45th anniversary of Apollo 13, is viewable in the Cosmosphere’s Rotunda through August 28, 2015.
Purchasing Tickets
Advance reservations are highly recommended. Advance sales will end August 20, 2015. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Tickets may be purchased online HERE or via phone at (620)665.9324 or (800)397.0330 x324
The Annual Fly Around Dine Around is a fundraising event, therefore no discounts (AAA, AARP, Senior, Military, or Other) will be honored for event tickets. The Cosmosphere appreciates your understanding and support.
The Cosmosphere will close to the public at 4 p.m. August 22, 2015, in preparation for the Fly Around Dine Around evening events, and will reopen at 5:00 p.m. for the event.
All proceeds from the Fly Around Dine Around events will support Cosmosphere operational fundraising initiatives.
Should unexpected circumstances prohibit Honored Guest appearances, no refunds will be issued unless tickets are resold.
There will be no signings of purchased items or autograph opportunities at this event. There will be no organized photo opportunities.
