So, gather your space crew and get ready to make memories that shine as bright as the stars at these upcoming events:

Galaxy Lights, presented by Wellby Financial, Member Preview Night – November 14

Start the holiday season with an evening of wonder! Be among the first to experience Galaxy Lights during this exclusive members-only preview.

Stroll through the breathtaking space-themed light display before it opens to the public and enjoy:

• Complimentary s’mores by the fire
• Festive, family-friendly craft activities and door prizes
• Magical photo ops that capture the spirit of the season

Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or your favorite co-pilot, this is your only chance to enjoy Galaxy Lights for just $10 on Preview Night and 20% off all season long.

Space News & Brews – December 6

Warm up your December with good company, great conversation, and craft brews at the final Space News & Brews of 2025 hosted at Galveston Bay Brewing, featuring NASA astronaut Brian Duffy.

Your ticket includes:

• One beverage ticket
• Complimentary bites
• A lithograph of Brian Duffy
• Photo & autograph opportunities
• Plus, members receive a limited-edition collectible pint glass

It’s the perfect night out for curious minds and space enthusiasts alike.

Stars & STEM: A Cosmic Holiday – December 7

Join us for a full day of discovery and delight during our first-ever Member Stars & STEM Day: A Cosmic Holiday! This stellar celebration invites explorers of all ages to learn, play and connect through hands-on workshops, an inspiring tram tour, a special appearance by a real astronaut and complimentary admission to Galaxy Lights.

It’s a universe of fun—and a reminder that curiosity is the best gift of all.

Member Moments to Look Forward To

Keep your membership handy for even more exclusive perks and events coming in 2026:

• Member Appreciation Month – February 2026: Celebrate a full month of appreciation featuring two Member Mornings, our Member Appreciation Party and exclusive discounts all month long!
• Moon 2 Mars Festival, presented by Wellby Financial – March 2026: Plan your spring break for an interstellar experience! Explore the Moon 2 Mars Festival with live music, space technology demonstrations, tasty food and cosmic adventures for the whole family.

Plus, enjoy these year-round benefits every visit:

• Express entry for members
• Early access on peak days
• Monthly Member Mornings (every 2nd Saturday)

Celebrate the Season and Share the Wonder!

Your Space Center Houston membership makes it all possible — bringing unforgettable experiences, cosmic adventures and a community that’s as inspiring as the universe itself.

This holiday season, share the wonder! Give the gift of membership and let someone special experience out-of-this-world memories all year long.

The post Making Space for Wonder This Season with Your Membership appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Accessible Space Exploration for All Ages 

Whether your explorer is fascinated by the stars or curious about rockets and rovers, our sensory-friendly events offer a calmer way to explore it all. These programs create a sensory-supportive environment with adjusted lighting, lowered sound effects and limited attendance so guests can enjoy a more comfortable visit without the stress of large crowds. 

Here’s what you can expect: 

• Smaller crowds: These exclusive events offer limited tickets for a more open and easygoing atmosphere. 

• Modified settings: We adjust lights, music and sound effects to reduce overstimulation. 

• Engaging activities: Participate in educational programs run by instructors trained to accommodate sensory needs. 

• Designated quiet room: Need a break? A calm, quiet space is always available for anyone who needs to recharge. 

Choose Your Sensory Friendly Event

Our sensory friendly events happen year-round, each with a unique space-themed focus that sparks imagination while honoring sensory boundaries. You can choose the date and theme that work best for your family and explore space and science your way. 

Upcoming Dates & Themes: 

• Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 | 6–9 p.m. 
  Roving Around – Discover how scientists use rovers to explore our solar system and beyond. 

• Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 | 8–10 a.m. 
  May the Forces Be With You – Engage with the forces of the universe through fun, tactile activities. 

• Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 | 8–10 a.m. 
  To the Moon and Beyond – Explore the Moon, Artemis-style, with calm, curiosity, and cosmic wonder. 

To make these events as accessible as possible, tickets are just $15.95 per person and children three and under get in free. Space Center Houston members also receive free admission (just be sure to reserve your spot in advance). 

Tickets are limited and go quickly so reserve yours today to experience accessible space exploration in a comfortable, sensory-friendly setting made for explorers of all ages at Space Center Houston. 

The post Explore Space at Your Own Pace with Sensory Friendly Events appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Membership benefits let you go beyond the exhibits with perks that elevate every experience, like skipping the lines, getting early access and scoring invites to exclusive events you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re exploring with friends, family, or that one space-loving person in your life, membership pays for itself in just two visits—while giving you more value and moments that truly matter.

Spark Wonder Together Through Our Membership Benefits

At Space Center Houston, members embark on adventures fueled by imagination, discovery and excitement. With unlimited general admission and free parking every visit, you can drop in anytime to enjoy a journey through humankind’s voyages to the Moon on the big screen, hop on a tram tour to explore NASA’s working facilities or spend a day immersed in the awe of space.

Your membership benefits unlock early entry on peak days, Member Mornings on the second Saturday of each month and exclusive discounts on Explorer Camps, Space U© and Overnight Experiences. It’s the perfect way to keep young minds inspired while creating meaningful memories as a family.

Make Every Outing an Experience

Why settle for the usual when you can make your plans stellar? Membership turns a casual weekend into a spontaneous space adventure. Skip the lines, revisit your favorite exhibits, and dive deeper into space science with member-only events like Discovery Briefings and special experiences such as the Touch the Stars weekend with NASA astronaut José Hernández.

Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind date night or a fun group outing, you’ll enjoy perks like 20% off Galaxy Lights tickets, discounts at The Food Lab and Gift Shop and the ability to bring friends along with discounted general admission tickets. Just show up, explore and let the cosmos do the rest.

Membership Benefits That Elevate Every Visit

Whether you’re exploring with your family, partner, or weekend crew, these membership benefits give you more of what makes every visit meaningful, memorable and hassle-free, including: 

• Free general admission for 12 months—visit as often as you like
• Free parking every visit—more adventures, fewer fees
• Express entry + early access on busy days—start your experience sooner
• Monthly Member Mornings—enjoy a quieter, more personal way to explore
• Invites to exclusive events like Discovery Briefings
• 20% off Galaxy Lights tickets to make your holidays extra special
• 10% off food, gift shop purchases and souvenir photography
• Priority access and discounts on education programs like Explorer Camps, Overnight Experiences & Space U©
• Discounted general admission tickets, perfect for bringing friends along
• Free registration for Home School Days
• A members-only newsletter to keep you connected to what’s next

Ready to Explore?

From awe-inspiring exhibits to moments that bring you closer, Space Center Houston is where curiosity and connection come together. Membership makes it easy to discover, learn and create unforgettable experiences all year long.

Become a member and start your year of unforgettable experiences.

The post Your Backstage Pass to Space: Perks, Access & Awe-Inspiring Experiences appeared first on Space Center Houston.

The origins of Planet Earth Celebration

The Planet Earth Celebration traces its roots to the iconic Earthrise photo taken by Apollo 8 astronauts in 1968, showing our planet rising above the Moon’s horizon. This striking image—the first color photo of Earth from space—inspired a sense of global unity and urgency around protecting our fragile planet.

It played a pivotal role in launching the environmental movement and led to the first Earth Day in 1970, when millions of people rallied for change. Today, the celebration continues to raise awareness and inspire action to preserve Earth’s unique and vulnerable ecosystems.

This year’s celebration

This year’s Planet Earth Celebration had guests of all ages to discover fun and meaningful ways to care for our planet. Families gathered for a special story time reading of Only One by Deborah Hopkinson and Chuck Groenink, while others rolled up their sleeves for a hands-on cooking session that showcased creative ways to reduce food waste. From recycling education with the City of Houston to interactive marine life activities with the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, the event offered something for everyone.

Guests took home free trees from Trees For Houston, part of the organization’s decades-long effort to plant and nurture green spaces across the region. Outdoors in Independence Plaza, visitors enjoyed colorful chalk art, games and pop-up science stations set against the iconic backdrop of NASA’s shuttle carrier aircraft.

Participating organizations like NOAA, UH-Clear Lake and Galveston Bay Foundation joined us in showing what’s possible when we work together for our planet. From recycling know-how to marine mammal conservation and urban reforestation, each activity reminded us that real change happens through collective action.

TechnoCycle played a key role in helping us reduce waste by recycling old items, totaling 6,264 lbs (approximately 3.13 tons) in 2025 and 3,841 lbs (approximately 1.92 tons) in 2024. Their efforts are a testament to the power of recycling in creating a more sustainable future for our planet.

Whether it was planting the seeds of sustainability, learning from local experts or simply sharing a moment outdoors, this year’s Planet Earth Celebration was a powerful call to care for our communities, our ecosystems and our one and only home. Mark your calendars and sign up to join us next year as we continue celebrating the beauty of our planet and discover new ways we can all help protect it.

The post From Earthrise to Action: A Celebration of Our Planet appeared first on Space Center Houston.

This year’s festival is packed with live music, cutting-edge space tech, out-of-this-world entertainment and a stellar menu of festival-only dishes that are sure to satisfy any Space City foodie.

Feast on Fan Favorite Delights

Get ready to celebrate the return of fan favorites like smoked turkey legs, tender pulled pork and irresistible barbecue brisket sandwiches.

Shareable Bites and Cosmic Cravings

Looking for something to share with your crew? Dive into our Nova Nachos or grab a basket of crispy chicken tenders, golden fries and a foot-long corn dog from our Cosmic Cluck stand on festival grounds.

Taste Our Out-of-This-World Elote

Craving a snack? Savor our elote, a mouthwatering blend of cotija cheese, zesty lime juice, crema, tajin and fresh cilantro that’s sure to hit the spot.

Fuel Up at Your Favorite Spots

Your favorite food spots—the Food Lab, The Market Grab & Go, and Grounds Control—will be serving up delicious bites all festival long, including The Smuggler: a corned beef, Swiss cheese, and mustard aioli sandwich on marble rye, inspired by John Young’s iconic Gemini 3 ‘hidden’ sandwich.

Get your tickets today and chart a course to the Moon 2 Mars Festival, where your adventures and tastebuds can truly reach the stars!

The post Launch Your Tastebuds into Orbit at the Moon 2 Mars Festival appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Embark on a fascinating voyage, unraveling the incredible tale behind the arrival of this pristine celestial piece. This sample is more than a mere rock–it’s a guardian of secrets about our origins and solar system waiting to be unveiled.

We have prepared some stellar surprises for our explorers to celebrate the arrival of this remarkable sample from the OSIRIS-REx mission. The first 200 visitors will receive a 3-D printed Bennu model as a commemorative keepsake. 

Can’t attend but still want a piece of space history? If you have access to 3-D printers, Space Center Houston has provided the file to craft your Bennu model!

Sign up below to receive the news of when this amazing sample arrives!

The post Houston, We Have a Sample! Make Your Own Bennu appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Join a constellation of explorers who have ventured into this big and bright cosmic wonderland to experience the excitement of this celestial time of year.

Why settle for an ordinary holiday when you can indulge in delightful festive treats and witness a stellar space spectacle!

Time is running out to elevate your holiday celebrations to the stars. Gear up and secure your tickets to Galaxy Lights for an astronomical experience.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: https://spacecenter.org/galaxy-lights/

The post Sparkling Memories at Galaxy Lights appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Earlier this year, Space Center Houston had the honor of hosting Eugene “Gene” Kranz as he discussed his new book, “Tough and Competent: Leadership and Team Chemistry.”

Witness the stellar conversation that covered Kranz’s role in leading the flight controllers during the Apollo 13 mission and how leadership and team chemistry are essential to mastering risk and mitigating issues in a crisis environment.

The post VIDEO | An Evening with Gene Kranz appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Step into a world of celestial enchantment with your loved ones at Galaxy Lights, powered by Reliant, and get ready to embark on an extraordinary holiday journey that’s out of this world! Here’s what you can look forward to on this cosmic adventure: 

Enter the Deep Space Backyard

Take an awe-inspiring journey through the solar system in our Deep Space Backyard. Wander beneath a canopy of twinkling stars and capture larger-than-life displays in the backdrop of the cosmos.

Cozy up and watch the crystal fireworks, sponsored by HEB, burst to life on a stunning 40-foot-tall cascading display, radiating galaxy-inspired colors that will leave you in awe.

Experience not one but two kinetic light shows sponsored by Wellby Financial, where vibrant shapes and patterns come to life in a mesmerizing choreography above the Main Plaza. 

And don’t forget to catch the original film “Holidays in Space.” It features real footage of astronauts celebrating holidays and captivating interviews with retired astronauts about their holiday experiences in space. 

Live Presentations Exploring the Science of Light

Join us for an interactive live show, “Celebrate Light.” This engaging experience will illuminate the role of light in how we perceive colors and its connection to space exploration.

Dazzling Activations, Starlit Memories

Visit our up-lit silhouette displays portraying various celestial constellations. Follow their radiant path to a 200-foot LED light tunnel synchronized with festive holiday music. As you stroll through, you’ll get an up-close look at the massive models of each planet to accompany you.

Hop onto our interactive light pods, featuring 290 multicolor platforms, nestled under the wing of our historic NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft. If you’re seeking a more spectacular view, ascend the shuttle carrier and shuttle replica model to witness the mesmerizing Saturn V rocket lights.

Relish the enchanting atmosphere created by the gently falling snowflakes on the projection wall and enhanced by our snow machine, all while you savor our holiday treats like a delightful cup of hot cocoa and s’mores. 

Marvel at a sparkling model of Earth and a prism tree, perfect for capturing that Instagram-worthy holiday picture at our Earth and snow globe photo station.

Big & Bright Activations Highlighting Texas’ Role in Space Exploration

Celebrate the spirit of collaboration and the International Space Station (ISS) with our Lights Around the World display. It boasts a magnificent 15-foot wreath and six towering 20-foot-lit aluminum trees representing each ISS partner: the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia, and Italy.

These impressive trees are enveloped by radiant, glowing stars, adorning the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, culturally adorned as a tribute to each partner nation. And, of course, don’t miss the opportunity to capture a festive and memorable holiday selfie beneath the massive 40-foot-tall, 100-foot-long shooting star!

Galaxy Lights is an extraordinary celestial celebration of the holidays. Join us for an evening filled with cosmic cheer, exploration, and unbridled joy this holiday season. We can’t wait to share this enchanting experience with you! 

The post Your Guide to a Cosmic Holiday Experience at Galaxy Lights appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Panelists

Dr. Cynthia Phillips

Dr. Cynthia Phillips is a planetary geologist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. She specializes in icy world surface processes, leading the Europa Clipper science and communication efforts. As co-chair of NASA’s Ocean Worlds Working Group, Phillips earned her Ph.D. in Planetary Science from the University of Arizona, with an undergraduate degree in astronomy and astrophysics from Harvard.

Dr. Kennda Lynch

Dr. Kennda Lynch is an astrobiologist and geomicrobiologist based at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, TX. Lynch combines her engineering background from NASA with astrobiology to explore sustainable agriculture solutions for deep space habitation. She is passionate about mentoring and promoting diversity in STEM and has been featured in various media, including Netflix series and books. She is also a Ford Foundation Fellow and a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts.

The post VIDEO | Europa Clipper: Search for Habitable Worlds​ appeared first on Space Center Houston.