US Space Walk of Fame
Encyclopedia
The US Space Walk of Fame is an outdoor plaza on the Indian River
in Titusville, Florida
, honoring both the astronaut
s and the NASA
and contractor
personnel who made American manned space exploration possible. Its monuments surrounding a pool are dedicated to the Mercury
, Gemini and Apollo space programs, with a Space Shuttle
monument planned. A nearby museum houses related exhibits and artifacts.
Its mission statement is "To preserve the history of the United States space program, to honor the men and women who made space flight a reality and the astronauts who flew the missions, and to educate the global community about the history of space exploration and its benefits to humankind." It describes itself as "The first and only Walk in the nation that honors America's astronauts as well as the men and women behind the scenes who helped America lead the world in space exploration and accomplishments."
The display was created by the non-profit US Space Walk of Fame Foundation (USSWOFF) composed of community leaders, aerospace industry officials and current and retired space workers. The foundation is also building a database, currently including more than 10,000 names, of space workers and their employers; and has received a grant to record oral histories from many of the men and women associated with the early US space program.
"We need to remember the people who made it possible, so little is said of them." —Alan Shepard
, May 13, 1996
A few civic-minded individuals and space pioneers stepped forward as volunteers to manage the foundation and a partnership was born with the city. Through grants and other sources not considered normal revenue, the city provided the park infrastructure; and the foundation raised funds for the monuments, plaques, mission insignia markers and other space-related items to carry out the riverwalk's space theme. Engravings sold through the foundation enable space workers or their families to honor the worker by having his or her name engraved on the appropriate monument.
In July 1994, the city dedicated the new riverfront area, named Space View Park, which provides the anchor point for the US Space Walk of Fame. The Mercury Monument and mission plaques, with cast bronze hand prints of six of the original seven astronauts
, were dedicated on May 12, 1995; and the Mercury mission insignia were unveiled on May 23, 1997. The Mercury monument is a copy of the one at Launch Complex 14
.
Groundbreaking for the Gemini Monument, and the first Gemini reunion, were held on July 19, 1996. The Gemini Monument was dedicated on November 7, 1997. Groundbreaking for the Apollo Monument was held on July 16, 1999 at precisely 9:32 a.m. ET, exactly 30 years after the lift-off of Apollo 11
. The event kicked off a week-long 30th anniversary celebration of the launch of Apollo 11 and the first manned moon landing. The Apollo Monument dedication and an Apollo reunion were held on July 17, 2009 with Apollo 15
astronaut Al Worden. The Gemini and Apollo monuments also include cast bronze hand prints of the surviving astronauts who flew those missions.
, space patches and pins, and other memorabilia from personal collections of space workers. The museum also features several launch consoles from Launch Complex 36
A reading library offers space-oriented books, magazine articles, documents and mission directories as well as video tapes. Oral histories from space workers documenting their work experience and personal feelings about their jobs and the roles they played are being gathered. Among the volunteers (and a USSWOFF founding member) is retired NASA engineer Sam T. Beddingfield
.
Guided tours are available with advance reservation. The museum is a non-profit organization, and its viability is threatened by the end of the space shuttle program in 2011 and the anticipated resulting drop in visitor donations.
Indian River (Florida)
The Indian River is a waterway in Florida, a part of the Indian River Lagoon system which forms the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It extends southward from the Ponce de Leon inlet in New Smyrna Beach, Florida [Volusia County] southward and across the "Haulover Canal" and along the western shore...
in Titusville, Florida
Titusville, Florida
Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is the county seat of Brevard County. Nicknamed Space City, USA, Titusville is on the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center and south-southwest of the Canaveral National Seashore...
, honoring both the astronaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
s and the NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
and contractor
Aerospace manufacturer
An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing, building, testing, selling, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft parts, missiles, rockets, and/or spacecraft....
personnel who made American manned space exploration possible. Its monuments surrounding a pool are dedicated to the Mercury
Project Mercury
In January 1960 NASA awarded Western Electric Company a contract for the Mercury tracking network. The value of the contract was over $33 million. Also in January, McDonnell delivered the first production-type Mercury spacecraft, less than a year after award of the formal contract. On February 12,...
, Gemini and Apollo space programs, with a Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle program
NASA's Space Shuttle program, officially called Space Transportation System , was the United States government's manned launch vehicle program from 1981 to 2011...
monument planned. A nearby museum houses related exhibits and artifacts.
Its mission statement is "To preserve the history of the United States space program, to honor the men and women who made space flight a reality and the astronauts who flew the missions, and to educate the global community about the history of space exploration and its benefits to humankind." It describes itself as "The first and only Walk in the nation that honors America's astronauts as well as the men and women behind the scenes who helped America lead the world in space exploration and accomplishments."
The display was created by the non-profit US Space Walk of Fame Foundation (USSWOFF) composed of community leaders, aerospace industry officials and current and retired space workers. The foundation is also building a database, currently including more than 10,000 names, of space workers and their employers; and has received a grant to record oral histories from many of the men and women associated with the early US space program.
"We need to remember the people who made it possible, so little is said of them." —Alan Shepard
Alan Shepard
Alan Bartlett Shepard, Jr. was an American naval aviator, test pilot, flag officer, and NASA astronaut who in 1961 became the second person, and the first American, in space. This Mercury flight was designed to enter space, but not to achieve orbit...
, May 13, 1996
History
The USSWOFF, a partnership between the foundation and the City of Titusville, created the US Space Walk of Fame as a major component of a redevelopment master plan for Titusville's downtown waterfront. It was conceived in 1988 by Titusville physician Dr. Doyle E. Chastain, who wrote a letter to the Titusville City Council suggesting such a project. With a downtown redevelopment program in progress and a desire to further enhance the area by taking advantage of the riverfront, the proposal was welcomed by the council and the city's Community Redevelopment Agency. The result was the US Space Walk of Fame Foundation.A few civic-minded individuals and space pioneers stepped forward as volunteers to manage the foundation and a partnership was born with the city. Through grants and other sources not considered normal revenue, the city provided the park infrastructure; and the foundation raised funds for the monuments, plaques, mission insignia markers and other space-related items to carry out the riverwalk's space theme. Engravings sold through the foundation enable space workers or their families to honor the worker by having his or her name engraved on the appropriate monument.
In July 1994, the city dedicated the new riverfront area, named Space View Park, which provides the anchor point for the US Space Walk of Fame. The Mercury Monument and mission plaques, with cast bronze hand prints of six of the original seven astronauts
Mercury Seven
Mercury Seven was the group of seven Mercury astronauts selected by NASA on April 9, 1959. They are also referred to as the Original Seven and Astronaut Group 1...
, were dedicated on May 12, 1995; and the Mercury mission insignia were unveiled on May 23, 1997. The Mercury monument is a copy of the one at Launch Complex 14
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14
Launch Complex 14 is a launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. LC-14 was used for various manned and unmanned Atlas launches, including the Friendship 7 flight aboard which John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth....
.
Groundbreaking for the Gemini Monument, and the first Gemini reunion, were held on July 19, 1996. The Gemini Monument was dedicated on November 7, 1997. Groundbreaking for the Apollo Monument was held on July 16, 1999 at precisely 9:32 a.m. ET, exactly 30 years after the lift-off of Apollo 11
Apollo 11
In early 1969, Bill Anders accepted a job with the National Space Council effective in August 1969 and announced his retirement as an astronaut. At that point Ken Mattingly was moved from the support crew into parallel training with Anders as backup Command Module Pilot in case Apollo 11 was...
. The event kicked off a week-long 30th anniversary celebration of the launch of Apollo 11 and the first manned moon landing. The Apollo Monument dedication and an Apollo reunion were held on July 17, 2009 with Apollo 15
Apollo 15
Apollo 15 was the ninth manned mission in the American Apollo space program, the fourth to land on the Moon and the eighth successful manned mission. It was the first of what were termed "J missions", long duration stays on the Moon with a greater focus on science than had been possible on previous...
astronaut Al Worden. The Gemini and Apollo monuments also include cast bronze hand prints of the surviving astronauts who flew those missions.
Museum
The US Space Walk of Fame Museum, located nearby at 4 Main Street, illustrates America's history in space exploration by displaying hundreds of artifacts, including photos, hardware, flight suits, shuttle tilesSpace Shuttle thermal protection system
The Space Shuttle thermal protection system is the barrier that protects the Space Shuttle Orbiter during the searing heat of atmospheric reentry...
, space patches and pins, and other memorabilia from personal collections of space workers. The museum also features several launch consoles from Launch Complex 36
A reading library offers space-oriented books, magazine articles, documents and mission directories as well as video tapes. Oral histories from space workers documenting their work experience and personal feelings about their jobs and the roles they played are being gathered. Among the volunteers (and a USSWOFF founding member) is retired NASA engineer Sam T. Beddingfield
Sam T. Beddingfield
Sam T. Beddingfield is a retired American aerospace engineer and test pilot who had a long career with the United States Air Force and NASA.-Aerospace career:...
.
Guided tours are available with advance reservation. The museum is a non-profit organization, and its viability is threatened by the end of the space shuttle program in 2011 and the anticipated resulting drop in visitor donations.
Location
Space View Park, on the Indian River, is directly west of Launch Complex 39 at the Kennedy Space Center, providing the closest public location to witness space shuttle launches. See the location (Indian River Avenue between Orange and Broad Streets) on Google Maps.Photographs
See photographs of the Space Walk of Fame at PanoramioSee also
- United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- International Space Hall of FameInternational Space Hall of FameThe New Mexico Museum of Space History is a museum and planetarium complex in Alamogordo, New Mexico, dedicated to artifacts and displays related to space flight and the space age. It includes the International Space Hall of Fame. The Museum of Space History highlights the role that New Mexico has...
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor ComplexKennedy Space Center Visitor ComplexThe Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the visitor center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It features exhibits and displays, historic spacecraft and memorabilia, shows, two IMAX theaters, a range of bus tours of the spaceport, and the Shuttle Launch Experience, a simulated ride into...