On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing, “Apollo 50: America’s Invitation to Partnership” has landed at the USA Partnership Pavilion at the 53rd International Paris Air Show. The mission, a week-long celebration of innovation and human achievement, is led by Apollo astronauts Colonel Walt Cunningham USMC-Ret. (Apollo 7); Colonel Al Worden, USAF-Ret. (Apollo 15); and Brigadier General Charlie Duke, USAF-Ret. (Apollo 16).
The event lineup includes a full schedule of presentations and panel discussions featuring industry pioneers, thought leaders, and the astronauts themselves. The commemorative mission also showcases the legacy of Apollo’s achievement and commitment to excellence, as seen in the 350 American companies exhibiting goods and services at the Partnership Pavilion.
“The spirit of innovation and discovery that culminated in six successful lunar landings lives on in U.S. companies large and small, working in collaboration with global partners to surmount new challenges on Earth and in space,” said Cunningham, Worden, and Duke in a joint statement. “That is the message we are bringing to the Paris Air Show 2019 as ambassadors for the present and future of the global aerospace industry.”
The mission aims to serve as a tangible touchpoint for connecting past achievements to the pursuit of new ideas and advancements, and engage, educate, and spur the global aerospace community to invest in innovation. It’s part of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) year-long Apollo 50 initiative.
Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, and commander Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk upon its surface.
The Apollo 50 Launch Pad in the USA Partnership Pavilion, a theater-style presentation forum, serves as the command center for mission activities. U.S.-based launch service provider United Launch Alliance (ULA) is hosting the Launch Pad and serving as mission partner. ULA, founded in 2006, has launched more than 130 consecutive successful space launch missions.
“The successes of the Apollo program informed and inspired our vision to break barriers, broaden horizons, and realize possibilities not yet imagined by integrating courageous innovation, unparalleled technology, and meaningful partnerships,” said ULA president and CEO Tory Bruno.
Apollo 50 lifted off on the first day of the show with the Pavilion’s own opening ceremony, with Jamie McCourt, U.S. Ambassador of France, and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine among attending dignitaries, with the Apollo astronauts presiding. Also on day one of the Paris show, the Pavilion presented a French flag flown on Apollo 15 to the Moon and back to French President Emmanual Macron, a tradition started at the 2015 air show with an Apollo flag presentation to the newly established UAE Space Agency.
Tuesday, June 18th marks Space Day at Le Bourget, when the Apollo astronauts host a panel discussion and networking event, “Celebrating America's Achievements in Space,” bringing together U.S. and other government leaders and officials, and industry executives.
Throughout the week the Launch pad will host briefings and presentations focused on industry trade, innovation, and future workforce challenges. Raytheon and the Apollo astronauts are teaming on “Meet the Stars Who Will Fly Us to Mars,” a career-focused session with rising industry innovators including student members of International Rocketry Challenge teams from the U.S., UK, France, and Japan, the session streamed live and captured for future “on-demand” viewing.
Kallman Worldwide, organizer of the USA Partnership Pavilion at the Paris Air Show since 1995 in coordination with U.S. agencies including the Departments of Commerce, Defense, State, and Transportation, organized the Paris Air Show Apollo mission.
“Our campaign recognizes [Apollo’s] legacy as a reminder to future generations,” said Kallman Worldwide president and CEO Tom Kallman. “Wherever our interests and passions lead us, mankind is driven by purpose to explore and discover. Whether you’re pursuing discoveries on Earth or elsewhere in the universe, ‘We’re all on a mission.’”
The Pavilion’s partnership theme was introduced at the Farnborough International Airshow last year and represents the contemporary way business is done, Kallman said at the time. “Success in international trade comes from partnership and teamwork.” He noted many exhibitors, from small and medium-sized enterprises to publicly traded multinationals “already have significant business partnerships and operations around the world.”
Despite the Pavilion’s large population and territory—it covers 4,000-sq-m (43,000-sq-ft)—navigating the Visitor Zone is simple, thanks to an ample supply of kiosks with “go to” touchscreens and “you are here” maps, and ambassadors to help attendees find exactly what exhibitor or what type of product or service they’re looking for.
A story of innovation and achievement of relevance to air show attendees can be found at almost every display. Ohio’s Sifco Industries arrives in Paris on the heels of earning AS9100D accreditation at its Maniago, Italy C-Blade facility, enabling the plant to manufacture aerospace and defense products. The century-old Kearfott Corporation of Florida announced a recent final determination from the U.S. Department of State allowing issuance of export licenses for international sales of its T24 SeaNav Inertial Navigation System “much more quickly while incurring less cost in connection with the application and compliance process.”
Aerospace and defense industry supplier Cadence Aerospace’s center of excellence for stringers and hinge beams in Anaheim, California, recently upgraded the lighting system for the entire facility to reduce energy consumption, save on energy costs, and provide high-quality lighting as part of its commitment to quality, safety, and the environment.