This July 20, 1969, photo shows astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. walking on the surface of the moon near the leg of the Lunar Module (ML) "Eagle" during the Apollo 11 extravehicular activity (EVA). AFP PHOTO / NASA/HANDOUT
MISSION MOON: Nearly 50 years have passed since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon. Our special Apollo 50 anniversary coverage explores how the country came together to fulfill President John F. Kennedy’s goal of reaching the lunar surface by 1970, NASA's bold missions - and crippling tragedies - since that historic day, and the future of space exploration and Houston as America's "Space City.”
This list will be continuously updated as more events are added/scheduled are firmed up. Please continue to check back for more information.
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history when they became the first men to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. It was the culmination of more than a decade's worth of work by the United States as the nation came together in a battle to defeat its nemesis, the Soviet Union, to the lunar surface.
These two moonwalkers — and the 10 that came after them — all called Houston home, training for their seemingly impossible missions at what is now the Johnson Space Center.
Next week, Houston will begin celebrating the accomplishments of Armstrong, Aldrin and their third crew mate, Michael Collins. Here's how you can participate.
SPACE JUNK: Sign up for Mission Moon updates and out-of-this-world space news.
TUESDAY, JULY 16 (50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Launch):
Lunch with Apollo Flight Controllers: Attendees will eat lunch with an Apollo-era flight controller, having an opportunity to talk with them about their memories and experience.
Price: Members: $40 per adult, $11 per kid; Non-member: $69.95 per adult, $35.95 per kid.
Special screening of Chasing the Moon: Showing and panel discussion of Robert Stone's three-part documentary.
First day of Neil Armstrong Collection Auction: Heritage Auctions is hosting the third phase of Armstrong's personal collection. Bidding will occur both online and live in Dallas.
Location: Heritage Auctions, 3500 Maple Avenue Dallas, TX 75219; http://bit.ly/2YGLe4t
Tram Tours featuring the Historic Mission Control Room at NASA's Johnson Space Center: This tour will feature the newly restored mission control room that was used for the Apollo 11 mission.
Price: Included in general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11 Mission Briefings: Learn more about the important activities of the Apollo 11 flight.
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11-themed Pop-Up Science Labs: Hands-on workshops that help kids learn more about what it took to send humans to the moon and keep them safe
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston.
LISTEN: Our "Cigarettes & Rocket Fuel" podcast follows NASA's 1969 Apollo missions
Second day of Neil Armstrong Collection Auction: Heritage Auctions is hosting the third phase of Armstrong's personal collection. Bidding will occur online.
Location: http://bit.ly/2YGLe4t
Tram Tours featuring the Historic Mission Control Room at NASA's Johnson Space Center: This tour will feature the newly restored mission control room that was used for the Apollo 11 mission.
Price: Included in general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11 Mission Briefings: Learn more about the important activities of the Apollo 11 flight.
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11-themed Pop-Up Science Labs: Hands-on workshops that help kids learn more about what it took to send humans to the moon and keep them safe.
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston.
Lunch with the Children of Apollo: Eat lunch while listening to a panel discussion with children of the Apollo era including: Jeff and Barbara Lovell, Amy Bean, Tracy Cernan Woolie and Gwen Griffin (moderator).
Price: Members: $40 per adult, $11 per kid; Non-members: $69.95 per adult, $35.95 per kid.
Apollo 50 Live" Sponsor Activity Tent: A tent full of activities, displays and giveaway for guests to enjoy
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston.
Third day of Neil Armstrong Collection Auction: Heritage Auctions is hosting the third phase of Armstrong's personal collection. Bidding will occur online.
Location: http://bit.ly/2YGLe4t
Lunar Landing Opportunities: Ten Apollo-era mission controllers will "land" their own grandchildren on the moon in the Houston Museum of Natural Science's Expedition Center.
Location: Houston Museum of Natural Science, Expedition Center
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tram Tours featuring the Historic Mission Control Room at NASA's Johnson Space Center: This tour will feature the newly restored mission control room that was used for the Apollo 11 mission.
Price: Included in general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11 Mission Briefings: Learn more about the important activities of the Apollo 11 flight.
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11-themed Pop-Up Science Labs: Hands-on workshops that help kids learn more about what it took to send humans to the moon and keep them safe
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston.
An Evening with Apollo Era Flight Director Gene Kranz: Legendary NASA flight director Gene Kranz will talk about his experience in Mission Control during the Apollo 11 landing.
"Apollo 50 Live" Sponsor Activity Tent: A tent full of activities, displays and giveaway for guests to enjoy
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston.
Tram Tours featuring the Historic Mission Control Room at NASA's Johnson Space Center: This tour will feature the newly restored mission control room that was used for the Apollo 11 mission.
Price: Included in general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11 Mission Briefings: Learn more about the important activities of the Apollo 11 flight.
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11-themed Pop-Up Science Labs: Hands-on workshops that help kids learn more about what it took to send humans to the moon and keep them safe
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston.
Choosing the Future: Moon or Mars? The Museum of Natural Science will host a debate between team moon and team Mars. Each team has six interns ages 15 to 18 who have been researching their topic all summer. More 100 summer campers will vote throughout the debate.
Time: 10:20 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location: Museum of Natural Science, Burke Baker Planetarium
Moon Family Festival: Learn what it would be like to live on the moon with "NASA Ambassadors."
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Houston useum of Natural Science Sugar Land
SATURDAY, JULY 20 (50th anniversary of the lunar landing):
Apollo 50 at House of Blues: Show off your best moonwalk, test your space trivia and meet the cast and band behind the Houston Chronicle's "Cigarettes & Rocket Fuel" podcast July 20 at House of Blues. The show features Mothership: A tribute to Led Zeppelin, Eclipse: A tribute to Journey, All the Kimonos and Ferrill Gibbs, creator of "Crayola Girl" for the podcast. Stay tuned for chances to win tickets. Door time: 7 p.m., Location: House of Blues Houston, 1204 Caroline St. Price: General admission or VIP
"Apollo 50 Live at Space Center Houston" Celebration: All day event. First 15,000 guests get a commemorative LED wristband.
Opening ceremony: At 9:15 a.m., the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army official aerial parachute demonstration team, will parachute in.
Outdoor Concert and Festival: Concert begins at 8 p.m. featuring Walk The Moon and Phillip Phillips; Live countdown to Neil Armstrong’s first steps at 9:56 p.m., complete with synchronized lighted wristbands; Family STEM zone with hands-activities; Indoor/Outdoor food and drink options; 1960s-inspired beer garden
Presentations: 10 a.m. — Lunar Module Development and Operational Issues with Richard Cucco, Jack Knight and William Reeves; 11 a.m. — Lunar Module Landing Operations with Harold A. Loden, William Reeves and Robert Nance; 12 p.m. — Lunar Science Operations with Wendel Mendel and Arthur L. Schmitt; 1 p.m. — Command Module Landing and Recovery Operations with John D. Holt, Milton J. Heflin and Terry Watson.
Book Signings: "Dutch" von Ehrenfried author of "Apollo Mission Control; The Making of a National Historic Landmark;" Rick Houston author of, "Go Flight! The Unsung Heroes of Mission Control"
Rocket Park activities: U.S. Army Apache helicopter on display; U.S. Army exhibit trailer focusing on robotics; Jerry Woodfill Rock and Roll Show.
"Apollo 50 Live" Sponsor Activity Tent:
Price: Included with your Apollo 11 Commemorative July 20 admission ticket to Space Center Houston.
The Moon: Space exploration scientist David Kring of the Lunar and Planetary Institute will give a talk using a sculpture to point out the moon's geologic formations, asteroid impacts and historic landing sites. WindSync, an award-winning wind quintet, will play a piece composed by Marc Mellits to celebrate the 50th anniversary.
Location: Houston Museum of Natural Science
Public Apollo Legacy Celebration Tours: Visitors to the Museum of Natural Science can take a lunar landing tour to learn the history of Apollo, choose a mission control team and board spacecraft simulator to land on the moon. Parents are encouraged to participate.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Houston Museum of Natural Science
Apollo 11 50th anniversary celebration in Tomball: An educational exhibit presenting the historic mission in video, photos, a miniature diorama and more. There also will be an exhibit honoring the NASA Railroad.
Location: The historic 1907 Depot Museum, 201 South Elm Street, Tomball
Apollo Day: Celebrate the past, present and future landings on the moon with speakers and activities.
Location: George Observatory, 21901 FM 762 Road, Needville
Price: $3.50 for Discovery Dome shows featuring the moon; $7/members; $10 per adult for telescopes tickets
Sky Fest -- "Apollo 11: Looking Back to Move Forward:" Presentations from Dr. Walter Kiefer of the Lunar Planetary Institute, explore the moon via virtual reality, immersive planetary shows, and interact with lunar meteorites.
Location: the Lunar and Planetary Institute, 3600 Bay Area Blvd
NASA Night at Discovery Green: Appearance by astronaut Steve Bowen, screening of the movie "Apollo 11." U.S. Army Golden Knight parachute jumpers will land before the screening, in addition to a special appearance from VisitHoustons' Spacey Casey.
Time: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Lunar Landing Anniversary at Springwoods Village: Visit the stars with the Houston Museum of Natural Science inflatable Discovery Dome Planetarium. Learn about stars and planets from Houston Astronomical Society. Watch curated short movies and enjoy a space-themed Silent Disco Vibe party. Switchouse Plates & Pours will offer special lunar appetizers and libations, including the "Out of this World Cosmo."
Location: Springwoods Village (I-45 and Hardy Toll Road, Spring, Texas 77389)
Health, Moon and Beyond: There will be a panel discussion featuring experts from Baylor College of Medicine's Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) and Center for Space Medicine, as well as two former NASA astronauts. Following the panel is a screening of Smithsonian's "The Day We Walked on the Moon."
Location: The Health Museum, 1515 Hermann Dr. Houston, TX 77004
Moon landing celebration with Star Wars spin: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing during a Star Wars fan celebration at the Children's Museum of Houston's "Action-Packed Summer." Complete with visits from Kylo Ren, Rey, Leia, Chewbacca and members of the 501 Legion pay a special visit.
Location: Children’s Museum of Houston
Tram Tours featuring the Historic Mission Control Room at NASA's Johnson Space Center: This tour will feature the newly restored mission control room that was used for the Apollo 11 mission.
Price: Included in general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11 Mission Briefings: Learn more about the important activities of the Apollo 11 flight.
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11-themed Pop-Up Science Labs: Hands-on workshops that help kids learn more about what it took to send humans to the moon and keep them safe
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston.
Lunar Communion Worship Service: Retired NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson will be preaching as part of a celebration to remember church member Buzz Aldrin's holy communion on the moon.
Time: 10 a.m. service; 11:30 a.m. visit displays in Bouton Hall; 1 p.m. program WPC Across Space and Time.
"Apollo 50 Live" Sponsor Activity Tent: This large tent will be full of activities, informative displays, and giveaways for our guests to enjoy provided by the companies generously supporting Space Center Houston's "Apollo 50 Live" celebration.
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Lunar Staycation at Springwoods Village: Guest speaker John J Uri from NASA's Johnson Space Center will share insight on lunar landings and the Houston Museum of Natural Science inflatable, HUGE Discovery Dome Planetarium will be back and ready for space exploration!
Location: Springwoods Village (I-45 and Hardy Toll Road, Spring, Texas 77389)
Tram Tours featuring the Historic Mission Control Room at NASA's Johnson Space Center: This tour will feature the newly restored mission control room that was used for the Apollo 11 mission.
Price: Included in general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11 Mission Briefings: Learn more about the important activities of the Apollo 11 flight.
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11-themed Pop-Up Science Labs: Hands-on workshops that help kids learn more about what it took to send humans to the moon and keep them safe
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston.
Tram Tours featuring the Historic Mission Control Room at NASA's Johnson Space Center: This tour will feature the newly restored mission control room that was used for the Apollo 11 mission.
Price: Included in general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11 Mission Briefings: Learn more about the important activities of the Apollo 11 flight.
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11-themed Pop-Up Science Labs: Hands-on workshops that help kids learn more about what it took to send humans to the moon and keep them safe
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston.
NASA Night at Houston Astros: NASA's Destination Station mobile exhibit will be used to educate and inspire the public about the International Space Station. The space station is a multinational research facility and the largest spacecraft ever built.
Price: Cost of admission to game
Tram Tours featuring the Historic Mission Control Room at NASA's Johnson Space Center: This tour will feature the newly restored mission control room that was used for the Apollo 11 mission.
Price: Included in general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11 Mission Briefings: Learn more about the important activities of the Apollo 11 flight.
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11-themed Pop-Up Science Labs: Hands-on workshops that help kids learn more about what it took to send humans to the moon and keep them safe
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24 (50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 splashdown):
Lunch with Apollo Flight Controllers: Attendees will eat lunch wi an Apollo-era flight controller, having an opportunity to talk with them about their memories and experiences.
Price: $40 per adult, $11 per kid/member; $69.95 per adult, $35.95 per kid/non-member. This will be a ticketed event with limited capacity.
Apollo 11 Mission Splashdown Party: This fun, ticketed 1960s-themed evening bash will feature a buffet dinner and live music.
Price: Included in general admission to Space Center Houston. This will be large scale ticketed community event.
Exhibit at University of Houston: NASA is presenting the Destination Station mobile exhibit along with other special information and technology to discuss internship opportunities to future scientists and engineers.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: University of Houston main campus
Tram Tours featuring the Historic Mission Control Room at NASA's Johnson Space Center: This tour will feature the newly restored mission control room that was used for the Apollo 11 mission.
Price: Included in general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11 Mission Briefings: Learn more about the important activities of the Apollo 11 flight.
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston
Apollo 11-themed Pop-Up Science Labs: Hands-on workshops that help kids learn more about what it took to send humans to the moon and keep them safe
Price: Included with your general admission ticket to Space Center Houston.
NASA Night at Houston Dynamos: NASA will hold an outreach event with families and fans during the Houston Dynamo game in celebration of the Apollo 50th Anniversary.
Price: Cost of admission to game
Alex Stuckey writes about NASA and science for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey.
Alex Stuckey is an investigative reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She is a 2017 Pulitzer Prize and 2022 Livingston Award winner. She also received the Charles E. Green Award for Star Reporter of the Year in 2022.
Since graduating college in 2012, journalism has taken her to five different states, where she's covered a nuclear research facility, the Missouri Legislature, the mishandling of sexual assault reports at colleges and universities and even NASA. Her reporting throughout the years has put two people in prison, resulted in federal investigations at higher education institutions and overhauled broken policies at the state and local level.
She loves falling down information rabbit holes, playing in spreadsheets and listening to Gilmore Girls on repeat at work.
When she's off the clock, you can usually find her playing with her dogs, Waffle and Moby, curled up on the couch with a good book or on her yoga mat.