A catastrophic explosion aboard Apollo 13 found a team of NASA astronauts, engineers and their contractor community frantically working against a life-or-death timeline.

Innovation and teamwork won the day.

America is again faced with a unique challenge. For us at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Space Camp, facilities were closed in mid-March in order to protect the health and safety of our community against the spread of COVID-19.

The closure is impacting our busiest season, the time when the Center earns nearly half of its revenue for the year. Steps are ongoing to decrease operating costs while ensuring a safe environment for exceptional learning.

Intuitive® Research and Technology Corportation gives Leadership Gift of $130,000

Why I Give

Harold R. (Hal) Brewer, Chairman
Intuitive® Research and Technology Corporation

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is a cornerstone of our community, celebrating and honoring Huntsville’s contributions to space innovation, while inspiring and educating our next generation of explorers.

More than ever, we need to develop leaders, thinkers and doers who can solve hard problems. Encouraging students to imagine ‘What if?’ and then to have the can-do courage to carry forward, is at the heart of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Space Camp programs. They are also qualities that make Huntsville so special.

Although faced with unique challenges, the Space & Rocket Center will flourish because this community cultivates innovation and imagination— and because failure is not an option.

I encourage other individuals and organizations in this community to contribute to the Rocket Center’s mission. Through our giving, we can carry on Huntsville’s legacy. Huntsville is, and always will be, a vital contributor to the space program. Let’s work as a community to ensure that legacy lives on.

Center Update

Consequences of the mid-March closure of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Space Camp are staggering:

• More than 100 Space & Rocket Center employees are laid off;
• 180 employees are on furlough;
• Most of our 700 part-time employees will not be employed this summer;
• The Museum can only run at 50 percent occupancy;
• Camp faces obstacles to reopening.

The Center is decreasing costs wherever possible, trying to qualify for aid and seeking donations, all while working to provide a safe and inviting environment for exceptional learning.