Wow! Space Center Houston Members experienced a thrilling month full of inspiration, learning, and unforgettable moments during Astronaut August. From exclusive meet-and-greets to behind-the-scenes access, this past August was truly one for the books.
Astronaut Days Weekend
We launched Astronaut August with Astronaut Days hosted by public programs. This two-day event was packed with interactive space-related activities, astronaut presentations, a puzzle mural with brain teasers, radiation pop-up labs where you created your own bookmark, an interactive tech wall for all ages, and Lunar Outpost was present, raffling off exclusive Lego sets! This once-a-year weekend event was not just about fun, but also about learning firsthand about the incredible journey of living and working in space.
Touch the Stars with José Hernández Weekend
One of the most memorable weekends in August was our exclusive “Touch the Stars with José Hernández” event. We were honored to welcome former NASA astronaut José Hernández for a weekend packed with inspiration and meaningful engagement for members only. The weekend kicked off with a special screening of “A Million Miles Away,” followed by a live interview with José Hernández, moderated by our CEO, William T. Harris. Members. It was enthralling to hear José’s remarkable journey, from migrant farmworker to astronaut, during the interview, and his passion for inspiring an interest in STEM in communities everywhere.
Members who attended our VIP experience that night enjoyed:
- Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails
- A personal meet-and-greet with José Hernández
- A professional photo opportunity with José Hernández
- A personalized member gift bundle that included:
- A signed copy of one of his books
- A member-exclusive pin
- A commemorative lithograph
- A printed keepsake photo with José Hernández
Our general members’ reception was just as special, offering:
- Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar
- José Hernández book sales at our gift shop
- A commemorative lithograph
- autographs and photo opportunities with José Hernández
The following morning, the inspiration continued with Sunrise Social, a delicious all-you-can-eat brunch, where Hernández gave a special presentation, followed by more photo ops and meet-and-greets.
Following that, we wrapped up the weekend with two free readings of his children’s book by José Hernández, one in English and one in Spanish, followed by interactive Q&A and autograph sessions. Kids were treated to free Mini Melts ice cream and walked away beaming with inspiration.
This entire weekend was deeply moving, humble, and greatly appreciated by our member community. We would like to offer more premium events like this in the future!
New Member Thank You Party
We closed out Astronaut August with our biggest event yet: the New Member Thank You Party, which welcomed over 850 members!
Highlights of the evening included:
- Meet-and-greets with NASA astronauts Mike Baker, Jerry Ross, and Mike Foreman
- A planetarium experience
- Lunar Samples Vault tours with Paul Spana, our Director of Collections and Curator
- Independence Plaza tours with Irwin Stewart, our Senior Donor Engagement Assistant
- NASA Alumni League sharing personal stories of space exploration and artifacts
Members also enjoyed:
- Free Mini Melts
- Complimentary Member Crew swag
- Free access to our Simulator and VR experiences
- Tons of hands-on activities for all ages
It was a spectacular way to conclude a month full of space, science, and community.
Thank You, Members!
Thank you to all our members who made Astronaut August such a success. Your participation and enthusiasm made Astronaut August a resounding experience. You make a difference here every day. We are deeply grateful for your support and look forward to many more inspiring events with you.
Mark your calendars!
Join us during these upcoming Member Events!
Monthly Member Mornings
- October 11 – Space Center Birthday Celebration
- Get a glimpse of our Explorer Camps and Overnight programs while celebrating our Opening Day of our center
- November 8 – National STEM Day
- Highlighting our education programs as well as STEM activities
- December 13 – Launch The Holidays
- Highlighting our Space U programs and the holiday season
Membership Events
Discovery Briefing│Far Ultraviolet Camera/Spectrograph – Friday, October 3
Galaxy Lights Member Preview Night – Friday, November 14
Space News and Brews – December 6th at Saloon Door in Webster, TX
Stars and STEM: Our Amazing Solar System – Sunday, December 7
Our next big Member Month will be February 2026, with many exclusive events happening for Member Appreciation Month! We can’t wait to celebrate with you again.
Not a member yet? Now’s the perfect time to join and be part of our exciting community! Your membership supports our mission to educate and inspire, provides student and educator learning opportunities, and gives you year-round access to exclusive benefits and events.
Join today and be part of something extraordinary.
