Rocket Center friends and supporters joined U.S. Space & Rocket Center CEO Dr. Kimberly Robinson (center) for Rocket Park groundbreaking. Also pictured: Joseph Pelfrey, John Nerger, Wes Kelley, Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon, U.S. Representative Dale Strong, Dr. Rick Chappell, and Brooks Moore.
Raised to date in gifts, pledges, and stocks.
Our Campaign
Blasts Off
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center opened in 1970 in a medium-sized Alabama town as a showcase for the U.S. Space Program and a community attraction. In the beginning it was similar to thousands of museums and science centers across this country. However, the Rocket Center achieved a global reputation for excellence in STEM education and today is a workforce development and public relations asset for the State of Alabama and for the United States.
After 54 years of educating and entertaining visitors from all over the world, the Rocket Center shows signs of wear. It needs more than fresh paint. Today’s tech-savvy visitors look for cutting-edge immersive experiences. The Center’s educational programs must be enhanced to better prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce.
That is why the U.S. Space & Rocket Center launched the capital campaign, Make Space for Tomorrow.
We hope that you share our vision to enhance the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. You can be a part of ensuring that this magical place — that is built on a solid STEM foundation — can continue to educate and inspire for generations to come.
Ways to Give
Donate
It’s easy to support the Capital Campaign with a one-time or monthly gift by credit card.
Pathfinder Puzzle
Become a part of history through the Space Shuttle Pathfinder Puzzle program.
Spaceline Supporters
Claim your spot in Rocket Part by naming a support beam for one of the 5 historic rockets.
Take a Seat
Add your name or the name of a loved one to a bench or auditorium chair with the Take a Seat program.
The Projects
Mission Complete
Space Camp Operations Center
Rocket Park
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center cut the ribbon July 18, 2024, on a transformed Rocket Park in a ceremony attended by more than 250 guests. All five historic rockets that were removed more than three years ago are freshly restored and have joined the Saturn I in a completely reimagined Rocket Park. Native plantings, trees, and lush grassy areas surround more than 65 years of space exploration vehicles including Jupiter, Jupiter-C, Juno II, Army Redstone, Mercury Redstone, and a brand new addition, a section of the powerful Space Launch System that is returning us to the moon. The impressive new park also boasts an outdoor amphitheater and a stunning memorial to the men and women of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, without whom none of these rockets would be possible.
Space Shuttle Pathfinder
The Space Shuttle Pathfinder features a new shell that is formed with 516 pieces that were 3D printed, mounted to the test artifact’s steel armature, and coated to replicate the flown appearance of the Space Shuttle Enterprise. In addition to constructing an orbiter shell, the project included restoring the solid rocket boosters and external tank. To create a finish as space age as the printing process, we’re brought in experts whose resumes include projects for Disney and Universal studios.
In Progress
Inspiration4 Skills Training Complex
Habitats Upgrades
Davidson Center Updates
Upcoming
The Bridge
Habitat 4
On the Horizon
Shuttle Pavilion
Aquatics Center
Centrifuge Trainer
Campaign Co-Chairs
Retired Legislative Liaison, Tennessee Right to Life
Founder, Bridger Aerospace
Jared Isaacman
Myron Fletcher
Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger
“In April of 1990, when I attended Space Academy, it impacted my life in several ways: First, I had a week where I was surrounded by peers who were just as excited about space and space exploration as I was. As a teenager, that in itself can be life-changing. Second, that week provided authentic experiences (simulations, tours, and lectures) where I could imagine myself taking the next steps required to having a career at NASA. Finally, as I was leaving camp, I purchased a model of the space shuttle Discovery. That month, April 1990, Discovery carried the Hubble Space Telescope in its payload bay. I went home and built the model to remind me of my experiences and to inspire me to keep working towards my goal and dream. I would later use Hubble imagery in my astronomy classroom to inspire my students.”
Dr. Michelle Christensen
Thank You to Our Campaign Donors
Email us if you have a correction to this list.
State of Alabama
Allen Foundation Trust
Rey and Cynthia Almodóvar, RAC Fund
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
M. David Azbell
Jo Anne Barnhart
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
The Boeing Company
Bradley
Gary Brukardt Family Foundation
Ryan Brukardt
Edward and Gayle Buckbee
Waymon E. Burke
Frank and Lisa Caprio
Brenda Maynor Carr
Bert Carson, TREB Productions
William (Ben) Chandler
Jim Chandler
Dr. Charles (Rick) Chappell
Michelle Christensen
The Daniel Foundation of Alabama
Erica Endicott and Chris Heisel
Greg Fasking
Major General Barbara G. Fast
Joe Fitzgerald
Eve L. Garriott
Captain Robert (Hoot) Gibson
Arthur (Gene) E. Goldman
Dr. Gretchen Green
Christopher Griffith
Jacobs
Homer and Linda Hickam
David and Rebecca Hitt
Scott Hunter
Huntsville Utilities
Philip Jaeger
Wes and Sundown Kelley
Rebecca Torzone Kustom
Robert and Mindy La Branche
Derrik Landman
Frederick M. Lanier
Colonel Roosevelt J. Lewis, Jr.
The Lioce Group
Lockheed Martin
Fred B. Luddy Family Foundation, Inc.
Madison County Legislative Delegation
Theresa Maglio
Robert and Pamela Mayes
Arthur C. Meier II
National Space Club of Huntsville
James (Craig) Naudain
Dr. Joyce Neighbors *
John B. Nerger
Marie and Joe Newberry
Diane O’Keefe
Senator Arthur Orr
Brenda Perez
Walter Connally Powell, Jr. Foundation
Poarch Band of Creek Indians
Louie and Corrine Ramirez
Joe Ritch
Dr. Kimberly and Keith Robinson
General Jim and Reba Rogers
Samford-Cannon Foundation
Jeff Samz
Representative Howard Sanderford
Sasha and Charlie Sealy
Matt Sheehy/The Sheehy Family
Tim Sheehy/The Sheehy Family
Jerry and Nancy Smith
Robin and Marty Soprano
Sissy and Greg Spence
Mark Splawn
Jack and Becky Stokes
Dr. Kay Taylor
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Kathi and Norm Tew
Helen Wagster
Phil and Lisa Williams Foundation
Harry Winer
Dr. Virginia (Suzy) Young
Tony Zana
* Deceased
Contact us to learn how you can help support the growth of Space Camp and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
Brenda Carr
Emily Pietrzyk
Donor & Alumni Relations