A retired NASA astronaut who was aboard four space shuttle missions and has logged over 825 hours in space will be the special guest speaker to help Asheville Museum of Science celebrate its 10-year anniversary.
According to an Oct. 28 news release, retired astronaut John Casper, who is also a former United States Air Force colonel, will share stories from his career of space exploration, including his two flights on Space Shuttle Endeavour and his flights on Space Shuttle Atlantis and Space Shuttle Columbia.
The museum is celebrating what it’s calling “A Decade of Discovery” at its annual fundraiser “Under the Stars.” The event will be at Highland Brewing from 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, with a VIP reception starting at 5:30 p.m.
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Casper, 83, was born in Greenville, South Carolina. Before becoming an astronaut, he was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force and flew on hundreds of combat missions during the Vietnam War.
His first space flight was on Atlantis in 1990. Three years later, he was a part of the crew aboard Endeavour, and just a year later in 1994, he flew on Columbia. His final flight was in 1996, once again on Endeavour.
In addition to Casper’s special guest appearance, there will also be live music, interactive science experiences, local food and premier auctions, which are all in support of science education and the museum’s future, the release said.
“Over the past decade, Asheville Museum of Science has grown into an important educational and community resource, connecting children, families, and lifelong learners with the wonders of science,” said Amanda Bryant, Executive Director of AMOS, in the release. “Under the Stars is a celebration of what our community has helped us build, but it is also about what’s next. As we prepare to expand our museum in downtown Asheville, the support we receive today will help us create more opportunities for discovery, strengthen our educational programs, and ensure science learning remains accessible to communities throughout Western North Carolina.”
According to the release, the museum, located downtown at 43 Patton Ave., serves approximately 60,000 people annually through museum visits, school field trips, educational programs and community outreach reaching all counties of Western North Carolina and the Qualla Boundary.
Bryant said in the release that as the museum prepares for a significant expansion in downtown Asheville, it is working to create new exhibits, expanded learning spaces, and additional opportunities for children, adults, educators and visitors.
General admission is $100, and VIP admission is $150. According to the release, proceeds will help sustain the museum’s educational mission, including accessible museum experiences, school field trips, community outreach, engaging exhibits and the resources needed to grow the museum’s impact.
Tickets can be purchased at the museum’s website.