This weekend, the US Space & Rocket Center hosted a much-anticipated event focused on Spacelab.

The two-day gathering, called Astro Days, allowed attendees to explore the newly restored Astro Spacelab exhibition and connect with the Astro Restoration Project team.

This occasion celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Astro-1’s launch aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1990, as well as the 30th anniversary of Astro-2’s release on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1995.

“It’s exciting to see NASA’s world,” remarked Mike Haddad, a former mechanical engineer at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. “There are few places showcasing actual flight hardware. We had the real thing, which gives context to the missions that contributed to understanding the Hubble Telescope and Webb’s upcoming contributions.”

He emphasized the unique chance to observe technology that is not typically available to the public.

“A lot of this history was made right here in Huntsville,” he added. “It’s fascinating to see what was in space and to engage with it, realizing there’s only one of its kind on Earth.”

Haddad pointed out that many visitors think what they’re seeing is merely a mockup. “No, this is the real deal, with millions of miles behind it.”

He praised the Space & Rocket Center’s support during Astro Days, calling it a significant partnership. “We provided them with the original setup. They went above and beyond.” He described his surprise at how the event evolved from a small corner display to something much larger and more impactful.

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Lynn Faris, a former research manager at the Marshall Space Flight Center, expressed her delight in reuniting with former colleagues. “Catching up with them is definitely a highlight for me,” she shared. “We can reminisce about the Astro program and everything that followed.”

Reflecting on her favorite memories from the Astro days, Faris mentioned her colleague, Samudaranth. “Two years ago, his wife brought him to the center to revisit our work,” she recalled, “and it was really special to spend that time together.”

She added, “I spent countless hours training with him on flights, and those moments meant a lot.”

Faris remarked that the gathering transcends mere technical showcases. “Earlier today at Sparklab, a fifth grader came up to me and said he wanted to be an aviation engineer and work for NASA. It was incredible to hear.”

“At the end of the day, it’s really about building relationships,” she concluded.