The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) is a charitable organization originally founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts (it has since expanded its membership to all US astronauts interested in joining). The ASF’s goal is “to help the United States retain its world leadership in science and technology by providing scholarships for college students who exhibit motivation, imagination, and exceptional performance in the science or engineering field of their major.” The 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation raises money through astronaut appearances, fund-raising events, donations, and astronaut autograph sales.
The AS will hold its 7th Annual Astronaut Experience and Memorabilia Auction 6-8 November 2009 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Ticket packages range from $10 (admission to the autograph show only, free for children) to the $550 platinum ticket (which includes an annual pass to KSC, the Apollo 13 VIP Lunch Experience with Jim Lovell and Fred Haise, the Friday Night VIP Reception, and special seating at the Apollo 12 Astronaut Gala [including dinner with an astronaut]). The $1000 platinum plus ticket (which includes even more) is already sold out.
For those of us who can’t attend in person, the auction will open for online bidding on 30 October 2009. Among the 50 lots up for auction are 11 “Astronaut Experiences” and 39 memorabilia lots. Some of the Astronaut Experiences include serving as a pit crew member for Hoot Gibson’s Reno Air Races, a Houston Astros baseball game with Moonwalker Gene Cernan, and an opportunity to watch a Space Shuttle launch with Moonwalker Edgar Mitchell. Memorabilia up for auction include autographed photos, flags and patches flown on Apollo missions, Lot 34 (which is three pieces of urine collection equipment flown aboard Skylab II and given to astronaut Robert Crippen, who has also signed the display), food cans flown aboard Skylab, and more.
In addition to the 25 astronauts scheduled to attend (see list below), they’ve just added three Star Trek: The Next Generation guests: LeVar Burton (who played Geordi LaForge), Michael Dorn (who played Worf), and Marina Sirtis (who played Deanna Troi). Astronauts scheduled to attend include:
Buzz Aldrin (Gemini 12, Apollo 11; second man to walk on the Moon)
Alan Bean (Apollo 12, Skylab 3; fourth man to walk on the Moon)
Vance Brand (ASTP, STS-5, STS-41B, STS-35)
Scott Carpenter (Mercury Aurora 7)
Gene Cernan (Gemini 9, Apollo 10, Apollo 17; last man to walk on the Moon, so far)
Walt Cunningham (Apollo 7)
Charlie Duke (Apollo 16)
Owen Garriott (Skylab 3, STS-9)
Ed Gibson (Skylab 4)
“Hoot” Gibson (STS-41B, STS-61C, STS-27, STS-47, STS-71)
Richard Gordon (Gemini 11, Apollo 12)
Fred Haise (Apollo 13)
Hank Hartsfield (STS-4, STS-41D, STS-61A)
Tom Jones (STS-59, STS-68, STS-80, STS-98)
Jack Lousma (Skylab 3, STS-3; commanded the only Shuttle flight to land in White Sands, New Mexico)
James Lovell (Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, Apollo 13)
Jon McBride (STS-41G)
Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14)
Rusty Schweickart (Apollo 9)
Dave Scott (Gemini 8, Apollo 9, Apollo 15)
Rick Searfoss (STS-58, STS-76, STS-90)
Rhea Seddon (STS-51D, STS-40, STS-58)
Bob Springer (STS-29, STS-38)
Tom Stafford (Gemini 6, Gemini 9, Apollo 10, ASTP)
Al Worden (Apollo 15)