Celebrating its 20th year as the region’s top destination for space science education, Columbus State University’s Coca-Cola Space Science Center will host a free, family-friendly event this Saturday with special guest Carl McNair, brother of Challenger Astronaut Ron McNair.

Ron McNair was one of seven crew members who died when the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart off the coast of Cape Canaveral in 1986. Carl McNair will speak about his brother’s legacy beginning at 3 p.m. in the space science center’s Omnisphere Theatre. One of those legacies is the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, which led to the establishment of 40 Challenger Learning Centers across the country, one of which is at CCSSC. McNair’s address is free to attend, but seating is limited. Tickets are available for pick-up from the front desk. Call 706-649-1477 for availability.

McNair’s book, “In the Spirit of Ronald E. McNair, Astronaut: An American Hero,” is dedicated to the memory, hard work, artistry and spirit of his brother. McNair will sign copies of his book at 1 p.m. Books will be available for purchase from the center’s gift shop.

Other planned activities include:

·  Tours of the Challenger Learning Center, Space Shuttle artifacts and the WestRock Observatory, home to the Planewave 24-inch telescope

·  Shows in the Omnisphere Theater

·  Sneak preview of the Space Shuttle Odyssey Theater

·  Air rocket construction and flights

·  Solar telescopes

·  Robots

·  UV beads

·  3-D printing

·  Science shows

·  Information about the quarter-scale Space Shuttle prototype

·  T-shirt and souvenir giveaways

NASA recently gifted a one-of-a-kind artifact from the Space Shuttle Program: a quarter-scale engineering prototype of the Space Shuttle that served a vital function in the development of America’s space program. The model was used to test the integrity of the shuttle before the full-scale spacecraft was produced. CCSSC is raising money to construct a new home for the shuttle prototype at the center. To learn more or to make a donation, call 706-649-1477. More information will also be available during the anniversary event.

CCSSC’s anniversary celebration begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 16 at 701 Front Avenue. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit ccssc.org, call 706-649-1477 or follow the center on Facebook at facebook.com/CocaColaSpaceScienceCenter.