National Space Day began in 1997, when aerospace company Lockheed Martin held a special day with events to encourage students to pursue a career in the aerospace industry! In 2001, U.S. Senator and Former Astronaut John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, declared that International Space Day will take place on the first Friday of May each year.
This year, Space Center Houston is celebrating Space Day with special presentations and booths from local educational and space industry organizations. Join us to see what career possibilities lie beyond the stars!
Careers & Workforce Development Panel
10:10 – 11 a.m. | Mission Briefing Center
Get insight into what it’s like to work at NASA Johnson Space Center and what inspires them to excel each day during this panel discussion.

MODERATOR | Nilufar Ramji
Co-executive producer for live events, NASA Johnson Space Center

Ed Van Cise
Flight Director, NASA Johnson Space Center

Diane Dailey
Flight Director, NASA Johnson Space Center

Houston Green
Human Surface Mobility and Extravehicular Activity Program Lead Engineer

Natalia Riusech
Public Affairs Specialist
NASA Career Chats
Beginning at 11:30 a.m. | Destiny Theater
Deep dive into the career backgrounds of these extraordinary employees and ask questions on how they are constantly innovating at NASA Johnson Space Center.

11:30 a.m. | Zaida Hernandez
Mechanical Engineer for Lunar Architecture Team
NASA Johnson Space Center

12 p.m. | Ed Van Cise
Flight Director, NASA Johnson Space Center

12:30 p.m. | Diane Dailey
Flight Director, NASA Johnson Space Center

1 p.m. | Erick Castillon
Lead Safety Engineer, NASA Johnson Space Center