Board of Governors Dinner and Gala

John Glenn

Scott Carpenter

We are very pleased to announce that Project Mercury astronauts, Senator John Glenn [bio] and Commander Scott Carpenter [bio], will be the featured guests at the Society's annual Governors' Dinner and Gala being held at the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC on Friday, May 25, 2012. The Master of Ceremony of the Gala and Governors' Dinner will be Hugh Downs, Chairman of National Space Society Board of Governors.

(Feb. 17, 2012) --- CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronauts John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter sit in front of the plot board from the Mercury control center on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Image credit - NASA.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Glenn's (February 20) and Carpenter's (May 24) historic flights in 1962 as the first two American astronauts to orbit Earth. Further, the National Space Society is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its founding due to the merger between the National Space Institute and the L5 Society in 1987.

"We are extremely honored that both Senator Glenn and Commander Carpenter will be joining us in Washington for this event," said Paul Damphousse, NSS Executive Director. "I can't think of a better inspiration for those of us looking to build a new future in space than by recognizing the dedication and commitment of these two American heroes and the part they played in advancing U.S. space exploration and travel."

NSS Space Pioneer Award

At the dinner, Glenn and Carpenter each will receive NSS's Space Pioneer Award for Historic Space Achievement and they have both been asked to speak briefly after the award ceremony.

The Governors Dinner and Gala is the highlight of the Society's annual International Space Development Conference, taking place in Washington from May 24th through 28th at the Grand Hyatt Washington. The Gala honors the NSS Board of Governors, a volunteer advisory board composed of outstanding individuals in the fields of science, engineering, the arts, government, the press, business, law, medicine, and other professions and occupations, and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Society or its goals. Current members of the Board of Governors include former astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell, and Harrison Schmitt, as well as celebrities Hugh Downs, Tom Hanks and Tom Cruise.


Sponsorship Opportunity

Great sponsorship opportunities are now available for both general ISDC 2012 and the Board of Governors Dinner and Gala. If you have any questions, please send an email to our

Dress Code

Black Tie Preferred. Dark suit and tie acceptable for gentlemen; cocktail dresses, formal evening wear or business suits acceptable for ladies. Out of deference and respect for our honored guests, please no casual attire, jeans or t-shirts.

Please note that tickets will go on sale approximately April 10 during our secondary registration.

We will post further information here on this page, Facebook page, Twitter and LinkedIn group as it becomes available.