Press Release
Press Release · Wednesday, September 9, 1998

Washington, DC. . . In October the National Archives and Records Administration will celebrate John Glenn’s space flight with a space exploration series that includes a special display of NASA’s official flight transcript of Glenn’s first flight, author lectures and booksignings, films, and a presentation by former astronaut Alan Bean.

The programs are free and open to the public and will take place at the National Archives Building, Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. The public may verify times and dates of programs by calling the National Archives public events line at (202) 501-5000. TDD users may call (202) 501-5404.

Please Note: The theater at the downtown National Archives Building is equipped with a system that allows the hearing-impaired to use a set of headphones, or neck loop and a small receiver, to enhance the volume of the public address system. Visitors may request these devices in the projection booth.

Monday, October 19 -- Special Document Display
Astronaut John Glenn’s First Spaceflight
On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to circle the earth during a five-hour flight that earned him the love and respect of the entire nation. This fall the 77-year-old pioneer returns to space, this time to study the parallels between spaceflight and the aging process. To mark the launch of the STS-95 Mission, the National Archives will display a portion of NASA’s official flight transcript of Glenn’s first flight on board the Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft. Rotunda through November 12.

Monday, October 19 -- Author Lecture and Booksigning
Space Exploration/NASA Records
Steven J. Dick, astronomer and historian of science at the U.S. Naval Observatory, will discuss his new book, Life on Other Worlds: The Twentieth-Century Extra-Terrestrial Life Debate. The topic of otherworldly life has often titillated and consumed science and the public. A major concern at the dawn of the space program was contamination of the Moon and planets by terrestrial organisms. The author will discuss the lunar quarantine and will put the current extra-terrestrial life debate in historical perspective. Published by Cambridge University Press. Noon. Theater.

Thursday, October 22 -- Film
Space Exploration
For All Mankind, released in 1989. This critically acclaimed documentary combines archival footage with voice-over narration and astronaut interviews to tell the story of NASA’s Apollo program. Directed by Al Reinert. (80 minutes.) Noon. Theater.

Thursday, October 22 -- Slide Lecture, Video Presentation, and Booksigning
Apollo 12/Space Exploration
Alan Bean served as lunar module pilot on Apollo 12 and was the fourth man to set foot on the Moon. Bean also served as spacecraft commander of the Skylab Mission II and was a backup commander for the joint American-Russian Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. Bean, who is currently a full-time artist, will discuss his experience as an astronaut, show video clips of Apollo 12 and his moon walk, and show slides of his paintings. Apollo: An Eyewitness Account by Artist/Astronaut/Moonwalker Alan Bean is published by Greenwich Workshop Press. 7 P.M. Theater.

Friday, October 2 -- Film
Space Exploration
That’s All There Is, released in 1997. In conjunction with former astronaut Alan Bean’s lecture (Oct. 22), we present episode 7 of the Home Box Office miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon, which dramatizes Bean’s Apollo 12 mission to the moon. Stars Dave Foley, Paul McCrane, and Dick Gordon. Directed by Jon Turteltaub. (60 minutes.) Noon.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail.

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