Washington, DC - This week the U.S. Department of State joined the world in celebrating one of humanity’s greatest achievements: landing on the moon. The Apollo 11 mission was not just a success for America, but for the entire global community.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, the State Department, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and George Washington University hosted former Apollo 11 Astronauts Maj. Gen. Michael Collins and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin for panel discussions on the history of space diplomacy. The “One Giant Leap: Space Diplomacy Past, Present, and Future” panel on July 18 also featured U.S. State Department Science Envoy for Space and former NASA Administrator and Astronaut, Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, Jr., as well as Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Director and former NASA Chief Scientist Dr. Ellen Stofan. Following the panel discussion, the State Department hosted a reception at the United States Diplomacy Center where astronaut and former commander of the International Space Station Randolph Bresnik was the guest of honor. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith Krach, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Michelle Giuda, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Marcia Bernicat, and United States Diplomacy Center Director Mary Kane also spoke at the events.
