In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing and President Kennedy’s vision that launched the effort, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum will host Apollo 11 Lunar Command Module pilot Michael Collins and Blue Origin Founder Jeff Bezos as they take part in a daylong symposium on June 19 at the Library.
The JFK Space Summit will highlight the history that led to the first Moon landing, current scientific and technological space initiatives, and the future of space exploration.
“We are thrilled to bring together such an extraordinary group of people to celebrate one of the greatest achievements in human history,” said Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, honorary President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. “I hope that this program inspires new generations to come together, set ambitious goals, and renew our civic commitment to solving the problems of our time.”
In addition to Bezos and Collins, the full day JFK Space Summit program will feature:
• A panel of international astronauts from the United States, Japan, Italy, and Russia to discuss the international cooperation that has been essential to so many of the scientific and technological breakthroughs resulting from human space exploration.
• Former NASA administrator Charles Bolden, former director of the Johnson Space Center Ellen Ochoa, and former NASA deputy administrator Dava Newman to discuss NASA’s past and future with National Air and Space Museum director Ellen Stofan.
• Dennis Muilenburg, chairman, president and CEO of The Boeing Company, to discuss Boeing’s role in the Apollo program and in space travel today and in the future.
· Former NASA Earth Science Division Director Michael Freilich to examine how space satellites have revolutionized our understanding of Planet Earth.
• Scientists Maria Zuber, MIT vice president of research, Laurie Leshin, president, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Sara Seager, MIT Professor of Planetary Science and Physics, to discuss scientific discoveries that have changed our understanding of the universe beyond Planet Earth, and questions that remain unanswered.
• A special preview of National Geographic’s latest documentary, “Apollo: Missions to the Moon,” airing in July 2019.
Visit jfklibrary.org/spacesummit for the full schedule and to register. Seats are no longer available to the public for the evening program with Michael Collins and Jeff Bezos. The event with Dennis Muilenburg is by invitation only. Seats are available free of charge for the remainder of the day’s events. Registration is recommended.