September 23, 2005

A Magnificent Premier: NSS presence at opening of Magnificent Desolation

By Katherine Brick

Washington, DC: National Space Society members and leaders were out in force for the world premiere of the new Tom Hanks IMAX space film, "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D," at the National Air and Space Museum.

An exciting list of VIPs could be seen on the red carpet, including Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, TV celebrity Bill Nye "the Science Guy", plus Apollo astronauts Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell, Rusty Schweickart, Charles Duke, and Eugene Cernan, among others. In the background, the museum's space capsules and rockets provided the perfect backdrop to an evening dedicated to the inspiration of space.

Hanks, a NSS governor and longtime space buff, provided much of the narration for the movie, while also garnering Producer and Writer credits. Mark Cowen, who showed a preview of the movie at ISDC 2005, directed the film.

By recreating real lunar missions in 3D with celebrity voiceovers of the astronauts' actual words, IMAX has brought the moon mission experience to the viewer in a way that no other production has done before.

"This film really enables the audience to share in the experience," said Dr. David Scott, Apollo 15 astronaut and a Technical Consultant on the film's crew. "It's a combination of entertainment and education - the people really enjoy it, but they learn something, too."

The film, which aims to bring attention to the twelve astronauts who successfully landed on and explored the moon, employed an all-star cast of celebrity heavyweights to mirror the distinction of the grand tradition of astronauts who were portrayed in the film. The film was meant to spark interest in the lunar missions, the last of which occurred in 1972, and to educate children and adults alike about the successes of space travel and exploration in the Apollo missions.

Walter Cunningham, Apollo 7 astronaut, commented that "Kids, in spite of today's risk-averse society, still want to get out there, they still want to risk their lives for this kind of work. Kids still want to be astronauts."

While the NSS presence was led by Hanks and his fellow governors, Aldrin and Lovell, it certainly did not end there. Apollo author and NSS Governor Fred Ordway, former NSS Executive Directors Lori Garver and David Brandt, and current Executive Director George Whitesides also attended. NSS members Donnie Lowther, Joe Rauscher and David Cawood could be found in the press line, filming interviews for their space show, Inside Space. NSS Vice President of Public Affairs, Jeremy Pyle, served as one of the media professionals helping to manage the event.

This "magnificent" film, with its focus on children and their interest, knowledge, and appetite for space, should go far to inspire the youth of America to pursue their most far-reaching dreams. The National Space Society was honored to be invited to participate in this event and to help spread the word about the great successes of the lunar missions and all of man's exploits into space.

The film is expected to open at a record 85 IMAX theaters worldwide beginning Friday, September 23rd. Many NSS chapters are organizing local events, displays, and screenings around this opening, so check with your local theaters for more information.

Ad Astra!

Katherine Brick

National Space Society

Bill Nye (the Science Guy)

Hugh Murray

Dr. David Scott

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin

Eugene Cernan

Roger Crouch and Col. Carl Walz

Crouch, Walz, and Explorer Kids

Frank John Hughes and Rick Gomez

Hughes and Gomez

Russell (Rusty) Schweickart

Russell (Rusty) Schweickart

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson