Officials from Marshall Space Flight Center discussed the state's role in leading America back to the Moon and on to Mars with elected officials, industry leaders, students and the public during the Aerospace States Association’s Alabama Aerospace Week in Montgomery, Ala. NASA was honored by the Alabama legislature with a resolution and proclamation from Gov. Kay Ivey recognizing the agency's achievements. MSFC Director Todd May and Astronaut Tracy Dyson speak to the Alabama State Senate.

Around Marshall

Huntsville’s Jack Giles, Alabama State Senator (left), and Dr. Rocco Petrone, Marshall Space Flight Center Director (Middle), speak with Astronaut Owen Garriott who is inside the Apollo 16 Command Module on display at the Alabama Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The successful Apollo 16 manned lunar landing mission took place April 16, 1972 through April 27, 1972. (Photograph courtesy of Huntsville/Madison County Public Library)

KEN COOPER GIVES AN OVERVIEW OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TO STATE SENATOR BILL HOLTZCLAW, REPRESENTATIVE MAC MCCUTCHEON, GREG CANFIELD OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, GOVERNOR BENTLEY’S CHIEF OF STAFF, DAVID PERRY, AND LT. GOVERNOR STRANGES CHIEF OF STAFF, STEVE PELHAM.

Ground breaking ceremony for the Alabama Space Science Center, later renamed the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Shown in this picture, left to right, are Edward O. Buckbee, Space Center Director; Jack Giles, Alabama State Senator of Huntsville; Dr. Wernher on Braun, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Director; Martin Darity, head of the Alabama Publicity Bureau (representing Governor Albert Brewer); James Allen, former Lieutenant governor, chairman of the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission; Major General Charles Eifler, commanding general of the Army Ordnance Missile Command; and Huntsville Mayor Glenrn Hearn. (Courtesy of Huntsville/Madison County Public Library)

Wernher von Braun

In February 1970, MSFC Director Dr. von Braun was named NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Plarning and transferred to the Agency's Headquarters in Washington D.C. Prior to his departure, Huntsvillians, along with state local dignitaries, honored his years of service to the Army and NASA with a series of events. One included unveiling a plaque in von Braun's honor. Pictured with Dr. von Braun are (left to right), his daughter Iris, wife Maria, U.S. Senator John Sparkman and Alabama Governor Albert Brewer, Dr. von Braun, son Peter, and daughter Margrit.