Space Day 2025 | GMU College of Science

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Thank you for attending George Mason Space Day 2025

We hope you enjoyed the discussions, demonstrations, and exhibits, and that you left with excitement for the future of space exploration. We invite you to share your thoughts by completing our feedback survey, as your input helps us improve future events. We look forward to seeing you again at George Mason Space Day 2026 on Saturday, September 26.

Highlights From Space Day 2025

Captain Hoot Gibson speaking at Space Day 2025 — Captain Hoot Gibson spoke to a large crowd about his career which including him participating in five NASA Space Shuttle missions, commanding four, including the historic 1995 mission that achieved the first shuttle docking with Russia’s Mir space station.

Captain Hoot Gibson and Eliad Peretz with George Mason Dean Edwards and Space Day event coordinators. — Space Day 2025 keynote speakers Retired NASA astronaut Captain Robert “Hoot” Gibson, USN (third from left) and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Eliad Peretz (second from right), with Physics and Astronomy Chair Ernie Barreto (far left), College of Science Dean Cody W. Edwards (second from left), Physics and Astronomy Associate Professor and Event Chair Gabriele Belle (third from right) and George Mason Observatory Director Rob Parks (far right). Photo by Zander Leon.

Space Day attendees getting their photo with Retired NASA astronaut Captain Robert “Hoot” Gibson, USN — After the keynote, Retired NASA astronaut Captain Robert “Hoot” Gibson, USN took photos with George Mason Space Day guests at a Meet and Greet. Photo by Zander Leon.

Participants looking through the college's solar telescopes. — At George Mason's Space Day, participants had the unique opportunity stare (safely) at the sun through solar telescopes. Photo by Zander Leon.

Kids and their parents watch a demonstration by one of the many Space Day vendors. — George Mason's Department of Physics and Astronomy held demonstrations for parents and their children at the 2025 Space Day. Photo by Zander Leon.

Eliad Peretz, Landolt Mission Deputy Principal Investigator; Heliophysics Division at Goddard Space Flight — Eliad Peretz, Landolt Mission Deputy Principal Investigator; Heliophysics Division at Goddard Space Flight presented as one of new keynote speakers on the topic "A Journey Through the Stars - A Message from the Universe." Photo by Zander Leon.

Several vendors attended, offering participants to learn and enjoy science. — Several organizations tabled at George Mason Space Day including Smithsonian Associates, NASA, and Fairfax County Park Authority. Photo by Zander Leon.

George Mason Space Day wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our volunteers — many of whom are current Physics and Astronomy students. — George Mason Space Day wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our volunteers, many of whom are current Physics and Astronomy students. Photo by Zander Leon.

Several organizations tabled at George Mason Space Day including Because Science, Smithsonian Associates, NASA, and Fairfax County Park Authority. Photo by Zander Leon. — Several organizations tabled at George Mason Space Day including Smithsonian Associates, NASA, and Fairfax County Park Authority. Photo by Zander Leon.

College of Science Dean Cody W. Edwards kicks off George Mason Space Day and welcomes all to the event. — College of Science Dean Cody W. Edwards kicks off George Mason Space Day and welcomes all to the event. Photo by Zander Leon.

Eileen Kragie of Dark Sky Friends with Retired Astronaut Hoot Gibson. — Eileen Kragie of Dark Sky Friends with Retired Astronaut Captain Hoot Gibson. Photo by Tracy Mason.

Dean Cody Edwards shaking hands with Captain Hoot Gibson. — College of Science Dean Cody W. Edwards introduced keynote speaker Captain Hoot Gibson at George Mason Space Day 2025.

Young girl visiting the Dark Sky Friends booth. — One of the many young George Mason Space Day attendees visited the Dark Sky Friends table to learn more about their work to a promote responsible outdoor lighting to combat light pollution and protect the natural night sky.

Captain Hoot Gibson signing child's space suit. — Captain Hoot Gibson gave autographs to several attendees, including this future astronaut. Photo by Zander Leon.

Gabriele Belle speaking at George mason Space Day 2025 — George Mason Associate Professor Gabriele Belle chaired the George Mason Space Day organizing committee and kicked on the day's activities. Photo by Zander Leon.

Ferah Munshi, Assistant Professor, Physics and Astronomy, College of Science speaking at Space Day — Ferah Munshi, Assistant Professor, Physics and Astronomy, College of Science spoke at George Mason Space Day on illuminating the Dark (Matter) with computer simulations. Photo by Zander Leon.

Caelus Rocketry attend and spoke at Space Day 2025 — Caelus Rocketry tabled and spoke at George Mason Space Day 2025. Caelus Rocketry (formerly known as Project Caelus) is an aerospace nonprofit consisting entirely of high school students. Their goal is to design, build, test, and launch the first high schooler-built bipropellant liquid-fueled rocket to the edge of space while creating opportunities that introduce the community to the ever-growing aerospace industry and the importance of STEM education in an increasingly technological world. Photo by Zander Leon.

Captain Hoot Gibson met several families at George Mason Space Day 2025. — Retired astronaut Hoot Gibson met with several families and posed for photographs following his keynote address at George Mason Space Day 2025.

Crowd gathers to hear from Captain Hoot Gibson. — A large crowd gathered at George Mason Space Day to hear from retired astronaut Captain Hoot Gibson who flew five NASA Space Shuttle missions, commanding four, including the historic 1995 mission that achieved the first shuttle docking with Russia’s Mir space station.

George Mason Space Day wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our volunteers, many of whom are current Physics and Astronomy students. Photo by Zander Leon.

NOVAC showcasing their offerings to the crowd at George Mason Space Day 2025 — One of the day's many sponsors, the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC), attended the event to interact with the public and help foster public interest and education in astronomy.

Peter Plavchan speaking at George Mason Space Day 2025 — Physics and Astronomy Professor and Landolt PI Peter Plavchan spoke at George Mason Space Day to discuss the Landolt NASA Space Mission that will put an artificial “star” in orbit around the Earth. Photo by Zander Leon.

See past Mason Space Day events

Thank you to our sponsors

Interstellar Sponsors ($5,000)
Dark Sky Friends
DarkSky NOVA
Northrop Grumman

Interplanetary Sponsor ($3,000)
BAE Systems

Cis-Lunar Sponsor ($1,000)
Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC)
ZWO

Event co-hosted with: Welcome2Mason

Become a sponsor of George Mason Space Day and help launch the next generation of space explorers.

* The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.