3rd Annual Space Nation Day at the Petroleum Museum

MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) -Sunday was the 3rd annual Space Nation Day at the Petroleum Museum.

People celebrated Space Nation Day with fun activities and interactive challenges.

Space Nation Day was an opportunity for everyone to learn about space exploration.

A former NASA astronaut was at the event to speak to audiences about his journey in space.

Terry Virts showed his experience in outer space and what it was like to live and work in space.

He also spoke to the audience about what motivated him to become an astronaut.

“I showed up in NASA in 2000 as an astronaut. I left there a few years ago and retired but was there for probably 17 years so it was quite a long time.” said Former Astronaut & Air Force Fighter Pilot, Terry Virts.

There was another presentation to discuss the future of Midland and West Texas in the aerospace industry and helping create projects.

“There are more and more space companies coming to Midland International Air and Spaceport where we are also located and other activities such as orbital launch size coming near Midland,” said Captain & Co-Founder of Space Nation, Kalle Vaha-Jaakkola.

People were able to learn how the oil and gas industry is important and how it contributes to the aerospace industry.

“We need rocket fuel and a lot of that comes from petrochemicals. Methane is our potential rocket fuel for our new engines,” said Terry Virts.

“The lessons that we learned here in Midland can apply directly to space,” said Terry Virts.

Space Nation Day was also a celebration for students who completed Moon Pioneers Week to start their careers.

“We have built a moon base and a mission control there. We train people before they go on a mission and return to earth here at the petroleum museum,” said Kalle Vaha-Jaakkola.

Space Nation Day will return at the Petroleum Museum next year.

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