For Release: Oct. 9, 1996

Jerry Berg
Office of Media Services
(205) 544-0034
jerry.berg@msfc.nasa.gov

RELEASE: 96-170

VON BRAUN EXPLORATION FORUM FEATURES CRONKITE, NEW FILM ON VON BRAUN'S LIFE

The ninth annual Von Braun Exploration Forum will feature internationally renowned broadcast newsman Walter Cronkite and the world premiere of a new film about the life of Dr. Wernher von Braun, great pioneer in space exploration. The event, open to the public at no charge, will be Friday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Von Braun Civic Center concert hall in Huntsville, Ala.

Walter Cronkite’s career has spanned more than 60 years, more than 45 of which were with CBS-TV news. He has covered virtually every major event in the space program and will share his thoughts about America’s future in space.

John Hendricks, chairman and chief executive officer of Discovery Communications, Inc., will introduce the Discovery Channel’s film, "He Conquered Space."

Dr. Rick Chappell, associate director for science at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, is chairman and master of ceremonies for the Forum.

The Forum will focus on von Braun’s significant contributions toward making the United States a spacefaring nation and in continuing its tradition of exploration.

Chappell called it "a privilege to have Walter Cronkite with us. He is regarded as the ‘grandfather of space reporting’ and knew Dr. von Braun."

Chappell said, "No doubt growing up in Huntsville helped shape John Hendricks’ interest in the space program, and his founding of the Discovery Channel." Hendricks, he said, "was responsible for the Discovery Channel's decision to produce the von Braun film."

Although free, tickets are required to attend the Forum. They may be obtained from the Parisian Ticket Desk at Madison Square Mall and Parkway City Mall; the Civic Center Box Office; Marshall Center’s NASA Exchange in Building 4752; and the Public Information Office, Room 101, Building 4200.

Doors to the civic center open at 6:45 p.m. for the Forum.

Related to the Forum are two other events that day.

The National Space Club is sponsoring a black-tie reception and Von Braun Memorial Dinner-Dance in the North Hall of the civic center. The reception starts at 6 p.m., followed by the Forum and the dinner-dance at 8:30 p.m. The public may purchase tickets for the reception/dinner from the Continuing Education Office in Wilson Hall at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Further information may be obtained by phoning 890-6811.

Note to Editors: In addition to their participation in the Von Braun Forum, Cronkite and Hendricks will discuss "Communicating Exploration and Discovery" in the Morris Auditorium of Building 4200 at the Marshall Center. The time (on Oct. 18) will be announced later. This free event is open to Marshall employees and contractors. Interested media are also welcome to cover the discussion as well as other Forum events. Questions regarding arrangements should be directed to the Marshall Center Media Services office at (205) 544-0034 or to Missy Ming Smith of the Madison County Commission at (205) 532-3438.