The Astronauts Memorial Foundation – Center for Space Education

The Center for Space Education (CSE) Is The “living memorial” Of  The Astronauts Memorial Foundation.

The Astronauts Memorial Foundation was born six weeks after the Challenger accident in 1986 to honor all U.S. astronauts who lost their lives on missions or while in training for missions. 

The Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization was authorized by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to build and maintain two national facilities to memorialize the astronauts at the John F. Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Complex.  The first phase of the Foundation’s mission became reality in May 1991 with the dedication of the Space Mirror Memorial, a unique, high-tech monument which was designated a national memorial by Congress and President Bush. 

The second major facility, The Center for Space Education,  a 47,000 square-foot facility that has won three architectural awards, officially opened in July 1994 as a “living memorial” to the astronauts.  This facility was envisioned and planned as a place where young people, teachers, and families could learn about space exploration and the impact of technology on education. 

The Center for Space Education is also home to our 8,650 sqft conference center, and smaller meeting space.  The facility has hosted a number of events ranging from educational conferences to mission briefings for launches.  The Astronauts Memorial Foundation and The Center for Space Education are located on six acres at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which draws nearly three-million visitors each year!