Asteroid Institute

Congratulations to Brian Murphy and Richard Cannon, the 2026 recipients! Their proposal, “Untold Threats: A Worldwide Call to Defend New Frontiers,” explores how planetary defense must evolve to protect humanity's growing presence beyond Earth. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4erj2fb

Excited to be in Flagstaff this weekend!

Ever wondered what it's like to live and work in space? 🚀
Join astronauts Nicole Stott, Steve Smith, and Ed Lu, along with astrophysicist and YouTuber Scott Manley, at Space Fort for an unforgettable day of space, science, and discovery.
Hear their stories, learn about real space missions, and get inspired by the people helping shape our understanding of the universe.
📅 June 26 | 11 AM–3 PM
📍 Elks Lodge | Flagstaff, AZ
🎟️Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spacefort-flagstaff-asteroid-day-tickets-1989904469836

bidding open now.

Among the more unexpected items carried aboard was a miniature reproduction of the .
At first glance, it may seem like an unusual object to bring into orbit. Yet it reflects a recurring theme throughout the Apollo program: carrying the symbols and aspirations of one generation into the next.

The original Declaration marked the beginning of a national experiment built on courage, self-determination, and a willingness to pursue an uncertain future. Nearly two centuries later, Apollo represented another kind of frontier, one that extended beyond continents and oceans, toward space itself.
Small enough to fit within an 's Personal Preference Kit, the document connected two moments in history defined by exploration and possibility. It served as a reminder that while the technologies change, the impulse to venture into the unknown remains deeply human.

This flown Declaration of Independence comes from the personal collection of Apollo 9 Lunar Module Pilot .
Bring home a piece of Apollo history from Rusty Schweickart's personal collection: https://bit.ly/4vl4yDM

Meet astronaut Steve Smith at on June 26! Veteran of 4 Space Shuttle missions and 7 spacewalks, Steve joins Nicole Stott, Scott Manley & Edward Lu for a live "Ask Us Anything" panel. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4aqW9G6 Meteor Crater Education Alliance

Join us for a live webinar on June 23 at 9am PDT with announcing this year’s winner! Sign up to hear directly from the recipient about their winning proposal and join the live Q&A here: http://bit.ly/4xsRCx7

This June 26, astronaut and artist Nicole Stott will lead a hands-on Spacesuit Art Workshop at SpaceFort Flagstaff. Come create your own take-home artwork and help paint pieces for a giant community-built Asteroid Day spacesuit celebrating exploration and creativity. Learn more about with Meteor Crater Education Alliance: https://bit.ly/4aqW9G6

Among the flown items in 's collection is something surprisingly personal: a cassette tape of his favorite classical pieces at the time.

was the first mission where astronauts were permitted to bring personal music into space, played on a portable cassette recorder carried for voice notes. Schweickart selected Hodie, a cantata by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Alan Hovhaness’s Mysterious Mountain symphony.

The story takes an unexpected turn from there. According to Schweickart, the tape went missing for much of the mission. Whether it was misplaced or quietly hidden by crewmates Jim McDivitt and Dave Scott (both known to prefer country music) has never been fully resolved.

It’s a reminder that even on one of the most important test flights of the Apollo program, there was still room for personality, humor, and a debate over the playlist. bids start June 17: https://bit.ly/4opGop0

Whether it’s designing, launching, and flying spacecrafts during the Kerbal challenge or enjoying a rich discussion about Rockstar asteroids, Scott Manley knows how to infuse his expert insight and humor during this year’s events. Join us June 26-27 in and see. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4aqW9G6

Asked how many cameras the crew carried aboard mission, laughed and replied:

“I don’t know how many we had. You could go to the checklist.”

That answer says something important about Apollo. The mission’s history survives not only through photographs and memory, but through the manuals, transcripts, flight plans, and technical records that documented it as it happened.

Apollo’s history is preserved in its documents.

https://bit.ly/49CsERx