Event Details
Payload Blog

Aviation Weekend

Aug 02, 2024 - Aug 04, 2024 Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Celebrate the remarkable journeys of astronauts and pilots during Aviation Weekend, August 2-4, 2024. Hear astronauts, pilots and scholars from different backgrounds share their stories of reaching the skies. Join us for the following events this weekend:


Tales from the Flight Deck


Journey To Mars, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Hear from astronauts and pilots to discover how they embarked on their different journeys. Special guests include:

Friday, August 2

  • Waynetta Gentry, KC-135R Aircraft (USAF Veteran)
  • Melissa Day, H60 CSAR Helicopter (USAF) and Airline Pilot (American Airlines, Captain, A320)
  • Valerie Varona, MH-60 Helicopter (USN Veteran) and Airline Pilot (First Officer, A320)

Saturday, August 3

  • Chris Ferguson, astronaut, STS-115, STS-126 and STS-135
  • Brigadier General Matt “Mutt” Manifold (USAF Retired)
  • Kodey Bogart, Blackhawk Helicopter (US Army Veteran)
  • * 11:00 AM presentation pending launch of NASA Northrop Grumman CRS-21

Sunday, August 4

  • Tony Antonelli, astronaut, STS-119 and STS-132
  • Brigadier General Matt Manifold (USAF Retired)
  • Kodey Bogart, Blackhawk Helicopter (US Army Veteran)


Astronaut Scholar Presentations


Journey To Mars, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM


Astronaut Scholars from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation will present on the following topics:


Saturday, August 3

  • Josh Baston presents “Surviving Propulsion: Materials Selection for Jet Turbine Engines”

Sunday, August 4

  • Vikas Patel presents “From Childhood Dreams to Flight: A Journey through Aviation and Aerospace & Why the windows seat is the best seat in an airplane”


Atlantis Aviation Center


Space Shuttle Atlantis®


Join us for an engaging, hand-on aviation station where you can experience the following:

  • Craft your very own paper airplane. Then, at 3:00 PM each day, join us for a friendly competition with other guests to see whose handmade aircraft flies the farthest. The winner will take a photo with the astronauts and pilots and receive prizes.
  • “Chat With A Pilot” from 1:00 – 4:00 PM all weekend. Ask your questions while you build your aircraft. 
  • Take your very own pilot photo at the nearby photobooth.

Also that weekend, enjoy an end-of-season block party with DJ Steve and his solar-powered DJ kiosk in front of Space Shuttle Atlantis all weekend long from noon to 4:00 PM. Our fun activity area including mini-golf, corn hole and four in a row will also be set up nearby.


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NASA T-38s flying in formation

Aviation Weekend