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Having an interest in what lies beyond our home world isn’t just the realm of nerds and fantasists anymore. So much of our everyday lives depends on what lies beyond our atmosphere. In fact, despite decades of research, we’re only beginning to scratch the surface of what’s possible. These are just a few of the reasons the Las Cruces Space Festival is returning for its sixth year on Sept. 6-14.
“Many people don't realize how much they use space every day,” says Alice Carruth, the director of the festival. “It could be farmers using Earth observation satellites to monitor the soil or crop, or to generate data on the best time to harvest. Or it's your delivery driver using global positioning satellites to bring your packages or groceries to your front door. We use weather data from satellites every time we check the forecast, and most financial transactions use satellite connections. So, next time you're filling up at the gas pump, just remember that your card transaction has traveled through space.”
To celebrate the history and achievements of space-related enterprises, the festival provides activities for all ages, including an astrophotography display at the Museum of Nature and Science kicking off the festivities at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6; visits by former NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, in conjunction with the Space for Art Foundation, throughout the day on Saturday, Sept. 7.; and an open house at Spaceport America from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8. The fun includes art projects in the downtown area, space trivia and space talks taking place throughout the week.
“We want to build bridges with the community to inspire the next generation of the space workforce and to encourage people of all ages to learn more about the opportunities that space provides to us all,” Carruth said.
The volunteer-led festival team works with many partner organizations across the community — ranging from the public schools, local universities and colleges, space industry, arts, cultural groups and many others — to provide an event for people of all ages and interests. The events aim to raise awareness and celebrate space-related activity and achievements in the region, past, present and future.
“New Mexico is the birthplace of the U.S. Space and Missile program,” Carruth points out. “We've been launching rockets in this region since the 1930s and continue to play a pivotal role in the space program. Every image or video from the International Space Station, Hubble or James Webb Space Telescopes comes through the Las Cruces ground station before they're shared across the globe. Most recently the ground testing of the Boeing Starliner (to figure out the thruster issues with the capsule) was conducted at the NASA White Sands Test Facility.”
The fact that many people don’t know any of this is yet another reason for this festival. The organizers want people to learn that you don't have to be a scientist or engineer to enjoy space and to work in it. The career opportunities are endless and there are well-paid career opportunities available now. That’s one of the main reasons Stott was asked to be part of it.
“We're bringing and her Space For Art Foundation to create art with students at Spaceport America and at the Museum of Nature and Science,” Carruth said. “Her art Spacesuit (beyondspacesuit.org) will be on display all week at MoNaS. Nicole is also being joined by the Astronaut Wrangler Christina Korp, who managed Buzz Aldrin for over a decade and has seen the impact that space has on people's everyday lives. Her Space For a Better World Foundation puts on inspiring STEAM events around the world to connect the space-curious with the space-serious.”
In addition, there will be Challenger Learning Center missions, moongazing, astronomy talks and activities at NMSU. The final day of the festival will be held at the Downtown Plaza de Las Cruces with Space Saturday during the Las Cruces Farmer’s and Crafts Market. There will be space-related and STEM-focused organizations on display with plenty of fun for the whole family.
More information on the Las Cruces Space Festival, including a schedule of events, can be found at LCSpaceFestival.com, or on its Facebook and Instagram accounts.
