Mission

The astronaut pictured above is Charlotte-born Charlie Duke, the 10th man to walk on the moon.

Did you know that the Carolinas have made significant contributions and sacrifices in the pursuit of space exploration. From astronauts to NASA Administrators to training moonwalkers (Morehead Planetarium – Raleigh) to making the patches for each mission (A-B Emblems – Asheville).

Every patch used on a NASA space mission was created by A-B Emblems outside of Asheville. A crew member would fly into Asheville and work with the company to refine the design the crew created.

Our core mission is promote and educate the citizens of North and South Carolina on the history and future of space exploration and the role Carolinian’s achievement in humankind’s reach for the stars.

The presentation link below details the first steps towards our ultimate goal of bringing a “Space Museum” to Charlotte, North Carolina. However, we would like to promote space wherever possible including exhibits at museums, airports, and other high traffic areas in the Carolinas

Carolinas Space Museum (PDF)

Charlotte-born Moonwalker Charlie Duke signs a copy of the Carolina Space Museum Presentation. Born in Charlotte and raised in Lancaster, South Carolina, Duke’s achievement as one of the elite to set foot on another celestial body, and as the youngest person to walk on the moon positions him at the central figure in the Carolinas contribution to space exploration.

While a museum is our ultimate goal, fostering education and interest in science, space exploration, and rocketry is our core mission.  We need to get started with our basic building blocks and you can help!  Want to get involved? Email us at info@carolinaspace.org.

Mission:

Educate those of all ages on space exploration. Create and operate a world-class space exploration museum where citizens from every corner of planet Earth can view and participate in the adventure and appreciation of space exploration as seen through the eyes of the Carolinians’ that were there.

The Vision:

Recognize the untold story that the Carolinas played in building and maintaining America’s Space Program while providing access to the general public to appreciate and be inspired by the dreams of spaceflight.

Goals:

  1. Establish a non-profit foundation to foster awareness, excitement, and education to K-12 students about the value of space exploration in the Carolinas.
  2. Recognize the contribution of the Carolinas to America’s Space Program.
  3. Establish a repository where artifacts from the space program can be viewed by the public.
  4. Create an engaging and participatory exhibit.
  5. Inspire young minds to pursue technology and engineering fields.
  6. Establish a digital library of detailed information related to Carolinian’s participation in the space program.
  7. Engage and add value to the community.