HUTCHINSON, Kan.— Apollo-era legends will be part of the experience viewers can expect from Onward and Upward, the Cosmosphere’s first virtual telethon and auction, which will launch Sunday, Oct. 4, at 2:00 p.m. (CT).
The events, which will be accessible through Cosmosphere’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kscosmosphere, will begin with a fundraising telethon which will include virtual tours of artifacts such as the Apollo 13 Command Module Odyssey and the Liberty Bell 7 along with guest appearances by individuals involved in space exploration from the Apollo and Shuttle era to today.
“While the goal is to raise operating funds for the Cosmosphere, it is also to inspire,” said Mimi Meredith, Cosmosphere Sr. VP of Development and Chief Development Officer. “There’s nothing like the story of human spaceflight to remind us what incredible things we can do when we work together. That’s what the Cosmosphere, and the telethon, are all about—reminding us that seemingly insurmountable challenges can be overcome with tenacity and teamwork.”
The Onward & Upward Virtual Auction will kick off immediately following the Telethon. It will offer hundreds of items ranging from travel experiences and artwork, to collectibles and autographed space memorabilia. The Auction will be live until 5 p.m. on October 18. Proceeds from both events will help the non-profit museum overcome challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
About the Cosmosphere:
Featuring the largest combined collection of U.S. and former Soviet space artifacts —the Cosmosphere International Science Education Center & Space Museum in Hutchinson, KS—tells the story of the Space Race unlike any other museum! As Kansas’ only Smithsonian-affiliated museum, the Cosmosphere is the only place in the Midwest to boast a flown craft from all three early manned spaceflight programs (the Mercury Liberty Bell 7, the Gemini X and the Apollo 13 Odyssey).
Offering hands-on learning opportunities, standards-aligned STEAM content and camp programs—Cosmosphere educational programming engages students in project-based learning, fosters teamwork and cultivates soft skills needed for any workplace setting.
The Cosmosphere also offers documentary films in the Carey Digital Dome Theater, an opportunity to explore the universe in the Justice Planetarium, and see live explosive science demonstrations in Dr. Goddard’s Lab.
Finally, the Cosmosphere’s SpaceWorks division is known from the Smithsonian to Hollywood for space-centered restoration, replication and fabrication. From restoring the historic consoles for the Mission Operations Control Room at NASA’s Johnson Space Center to creating props for major films, like 2018’s “First Man”, the team’s work can be found around the world.
For more information, visit: www.cosmo.org.
