The University of Colorado at Boulder's Fiske Planetarium will present three different space shuttle tribute programs on Jan. 21, 27 and 28.
On Friday, Jan. 21, Fiske will present the "History of the Space Shuttle," followed on Thursday, Jan. 27, by "Memories of Columbia" and on Friday, Jan. 28, by "Memories of Challenger." Each show begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be presented by Rob Morris, an astronomy educator at Fiske Planetarium.
During the "History of the Space Shuttle," Morris will explore the past, present and future of NASA's space shuttle program. He also will talk about the history of manned space flight, and what might be possible for future exploration of space.
During "Memories of Columbia," he will discuss the nation's first space shuttle, its many achievements over the years and its last mission. The space shuttle Columbia disintegrated on Feb. 1, 2003, killing all seven astronauts on board, including CU-Boulder alumna Kalpana Chawla.
In his "Memories of Challenger" show, Morris will talk about the Challenger's brief history, its final mission and the changes to the space program that came about due to the shuttle's tragic explosion on Jan. 28, 1986, which killed CU-Boulder alumnus Ellison Onizuka and six others on board.
CU-Boulder has 16 alumni who have become astronauts in NASA's space program and flown missions in space.
Admission for each show is $6 for adults, $5 for students and $3.50 for children and seniors. The Sommers-Bausch Observatory is open to the public following Friday evening shows, weather permitting. Admission to the observatory is free.
For more information about Fiske Planetarium and other shows and programs it offers, call (303) 492-5002 or visit the Web site at .