Space Day at Capitol honors NASA impact

Alabamians involved in science, technology, engineering and math connected at the state Capitol on Tuesday to celebrate a new tradition: Space Day.

Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation declaring the day in recognition of the outsize role NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center has played in Alabama’s history and economic engine.

Alabama, we hold the origin story of flight, we put men on the moon and most recently, we assembled the most powerful rocket ever built.

Time and time again, we have proven we are a national leader in aerospace. I am proud to proclaim today as Space Day in Alabama! ?#alpolitics pic.twitter.com/QVjcgORm5V

— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) April 11, 2023

Numerous organizations had a presence on the south lawn alongside NASA, including United Launch Alliance, Raytheon, Boeing, and student groups inspired by the recognition.

The flagship Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering was among them. ASCTE President Matt Massey was joined by several students who are preparing for a future career advancing the high-tech traditions on display.

“Today was a great opportunity to celebrate Alabama’s ongoing contribution to NASA and NASA’s ongoing impact on Alabama,” Massey said. “Our students see the emphasis leaders place on meeting the challenges of tomorrow and that encourages them to learn all they can right now.”

The proclamation acknowledged contributions the center has made to groundbreaking space programs such as the Space Launch System, the International Space Station, Hubble Space Telescope, and the James Webb Space Telescope.

“Alabamians are exceedingly proud of the distinguished achievements of Marshall Space Flight Center and the advances in space exploration, technology and science it has produced to the benefit of all humanity,” Ivey said in the proclamation.

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 legislative session.