Margaret Weitekamp

Space memorabilia & science fiction curator at National Air and Space Museum. Wrote Space Craze; Right Stuff, Wrong Sex; and Pluto's Secret. Opinions my own.

[National Air and Space Museum @airandspace]

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Apollo 8 astronaut William “Bill” Anders.

Major General Anders dedicated his life to aerospace, first as a pilot, then as an astronaut, and eventually in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

[National Air and Space Museum @airandspace]

One of the first people to view the Moon from close up, Anders changed the way we saw our home planet when he turned his camera back towards home during the Apollo 8 mission and captured the now-iconic Earthrise image.

[National Air and Space Museum @airandspace]

We are saddened to learn of the passing of astronaut Thomas Stafford. Serving as an Air Force pilot, flying two Gemini missions, orbiting the Moon on Apollo 10, and commanding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, Stafford lived his life with a passion for flight and exploration.

[AirSpace from the National Air and Space Museum @AirSpacePod]

Why is the @MTV @VMAs statuette a Moonman? @mgtwspace explains in our latest episode.

[Smithsonian Books @SmithsonianBook]

We are beyond thrilled to announce that SPACE CRAZE by Margaret Weitekamp (@mgtwspace) has won @aiaa's 2024 Gardner-Lasser Aerospace History Literature Award, presented for the best original non-fiction literature on aerospace science, technology, or its impact on society.

[Margaret Weitekamp @mgtwspace]

You have to create a profile on the website in order to apply, but you don't need to join the organization until your paper is accepted and you register for the conference. Great audience, wonderful city. Come tell us about your work with THINGS.

[Margaret Weitekamp @mgtwspace]

The deadline for applications to the Material Culture theme of the Popular Culture Assn - Am Culture Assn nat'l meeting in Chicago in March 2024 has been extended to Dec 15. There's still room for your submission at https://t.co/LcyltGiI3n #PCAACA #MaterialCulture #PopCulture

[Dr. Buzz Aldrin @TheRealBuzz]

Is it me, or is October moving by really fast? Well, it certainly did for Chuck Yeager on October 14th, 1947 when he streaked across the sky, breaking the sound barrier, in the Bell X-1. And it did for Pete Knight on October 3rd, 1967, when he set the world aircraft speed record for manned aircraft in the X-15 at 4,520 miles per hour – the record stands today! Just thought you’d like a “quick” rundown on the supersonic history of October!

[Margaret Weitekamp @mgtwspace]

@aaronbateman22 Congratulations! Well deserved!

[Margaret Weitekamp @mgtwspace]

@KSpaceAcademy @IntrepidMuseum @NASASpaceflight @elysiasegal @SmithsonianBook @airandspace Thanks so much! That was fun!

[Margaret Weitekamp @mgtwspace]

I’m sorry that I won’t get to see you all but it’s the right call! Stay safe and stay dry!

[Intrepid Museum @IntrepidMuseum]

Due to severe weather conditions, the Free Friday & Astronomy Night planned for tonight is cancelled.

[Margaret Weitekamp @mgtwspace]

Oh no! The crazy weather in NYC means that this evening’s event has been canceled. Stay safe and stay dry! ☔️

[Kerbal Space Academy @KSpaceAcademy]

Join us tomorrow to learn about America's fascination with spaceflight. Author and Smithsonian curator @mgtwspace will be speaking at @IntrepidMuseum's free Astronomy Night, and @NASASpaceflight will stream it live (of course!)

Click to set a reminder:
➡️https://t.co/j0suRW5GnB

[Margaret Weitekamp @mgtwspace]

Looking forward to being at the @IntrepidMuseum tomorrow evening for their Free Friday! It will be great to see #Enterprise again. And of course this image will be in my talk! #StarTrek

[Kerbal Space Academy @KSpaceAcademy]

Join us tomorrow to learn about America's fascination with spaceflight. Author and Smithsonian curator @mgtwspace will be speaking at @IntrepidMuseum's free Astronomy Night, and @NASASpaceflight will stream it live (of course!)

Click to set a reminder:
➡️https://t.co/j0suRW5GnB

[National Air and Space Museum @airandspace]

Two new artifacts from @SpaceX’s Falcon rocket have joined our collection: a Merlin engine used in three launches in 2018 and 2019 and a grid fin flown on a 2017 launch. Both artifacts will go on display in an upcoming exhibition that explores what’s next for spaceflight.

[Jordan Bimm @jordanbimm]

Thrilled to announce that David Reinecke and I have won the David Edge Prize for our article “The Maintenance of Ambiguity in Martian Exobiology.” Thank you to 4S and the selection committee for this honor. The truth is out there… and it is ambiguous. https://t.co/ebtNsXIPaf

[Jose Hernandez @Astro_Jose]

Interested in a career in aerospace? The @owensfellowship fellowship provides paid internships in STEM, Communications, Business with executive mentorship to women & gender minorities in the aerospace industry. Apply here:  https://t.co/EP3bpzPkML
Deadline is Oct 7th.

[Association of Space Explorers @ASE_Astronauts]

The @airandspace 2023 John H. Glenn Lecture in Space History is available to rewatch now on YouTube! Don't miss ASE members Kathy Sullivan and Anna Fisher join fellow astronaut Rhea Seddon in sharing their stories with space historian @mgtwspace: https://t.co/slKLqVaJfB

[Margaret Weitekamp @mgtwspace]

@kidsspacebooks Thanks! Weren’t they wonderful? And we really only scratched the surface.

[Dr. Buzz Aldrin @TheRealBuzz]

In the pantheon of great American science fiction writers, I think it’s safe to say that Ray Bradbury stands tall. For many of us, science fiction authors represent more than just spinners of entertaining yarns – they are the intellectual engineers, the thinkers about what could be, or in Bradbury’s case, what we should be concerned about. Bradbury would have been 103 today, but his works live on for us to enjoy. Of course, out of all of Bradbury’s contributions, The Martian Chronicles are probably my favorite!

[Margaret Weitekamp @mgtwspace]

@girlbureaucrat Great audience! Thanks for the invitation.