Mason Space Day

Mason Space Day 2023 offers NASA astronaut meet and greets and activities for an ‘out of this world’ experience. 

The George Mason University College of Science announces headliners and agenda of activities at its second annual Mason Space Day.

Sunday, October 22, 2023
from 3 to 9 p.m.
on Mason’s Fairfax, Virginia campus 
 

REGISTER NOW  ||  There are several sponsorship levels available

This free, family-friendly, public event offers an exciting, collaborative, and engaging opportunity to learn about the technology and science behind some of the leading aerospace projects in the area. 

Last year, lectures by astronauts, tours of the observatory, and partner activities attracted close to one thousand attendees, with even more visitors expected to register and attend this fall. All ages are invited to learn about the latest in space exploration from those on the front lines and also explore space firsthand through a tour of Mason’s Observatory.  

Mason Space Day 2023 will include a keynote address from the Honorable Charles F. Bolden, Jr., former head of NASA and former NASA astronaut who traveled into orbit four times aboard the space shuttle between 1986 and 1994, commanding two of the missions and piloting two others.  

Another keynote speaker this year is NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Scientist, Michelle Thaller. Attendees will also hear from a panel of Mason experts including Computational and Data Science’s Associate Professor Anamaria Berea who recently served on a 16-person NASA appointed unidentified anomalous phenomena panel, Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Professor Piotr Pachowics, Professors of Physics and Astronomy Michael Summers and Robert Weigel, Professor of Geography and Geoinformation Science Donglian Sun, and SPEC Innovations President and Mason alum, Steven Dam. 

Food trucks will be available onsite, with ample time to meet other event attendees, explore Mason’s Fairfax campus, and visit exhibitor organizations.  

“While scientists study the furthest corners of our galaxy, some of this work is being done in our own backyard,” said Mason Physics and Astronomy Associate Professor Peter Plavchan who directs the Mason Observatory on the Fairfax campus. “We want the community to have the opportunity to hear from these scientists and perhaps spark the curiosity of the next generation to lead the charge in space exploration.” 

Mason’s Department of Physics and Astronomy offers unique learning and research opportunities to explore one’s outer space curiosity with nationally recognized experts. This community outreach event allows us to share the impactful research while also supporting and partnering with the rapidly growing space exploration community, a large portion of which is right here in northern Virginia.

To attend Space Day 2023, REGISTER NOW. If you or your organization would like to sponsor the event, there are several sponsorship levels available.