U.S. Space and Rocket Center in immediate danger of closing permanently

[Mike S]

They need to raise $1.5 million by the end of October to remain open.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The U.S. Space and Rocket Center announced it may permanently close at the end of October if it can’t raise enough money.

Through the Save Space Camp campaign, the USSRC is calling on Space Camp alumni, residents of Alabama, and visitors from around the world to keep the center open.

If successful, the center will stay open and Space Camp will reopen in April 2021.

U.S Space and Rocket Center in jeopardy of permanently closing, must raise $1.5 million by the end of October

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is calling on Space Camp alumni, residents of Alabama, and visitors from around the world to keep the center open.

whnt.com

 

[maroonedinhsv]

I may be proven wrong, but I anticipate some of the Huntsville companies kicking in the necessary funds. I have a sense the Davidson family will want to keep the Davidson Center functional.

 

[Mike S]

I may be proven wrong, but I anticipate some of the Huntsville companies kicking in the necessary funds. I have a sense the Davidson family will want to keep the Davidson Center functional.

I agree. Zero chance they don't raise the funds. If UAH Hockey can do it in a week, certainly USSRC can do it in 3 months.

 

[WesL]

Not sure I have actually ever disclosed this on TalkWeather but I run a blog about the rocket center called Sprocketeers. I'm pretty hard on them when it comes to money but ever since their CEO 'retired' last year, I've been impressed with how they have been handling things. This year, which is the Sprocket's 50th anniversary, was set to be a good one with a few million in the bank at the start of 2020 and sell out camp attendance. Naturally, COVID-19 threw that plan in the garbage and they have worked really hard to keep staff on, try to reopen (which I didn't agree with), and try to get revenue flowing for the long slow winter months. Sadly at this point, they just won't make it without help. While the headline is scary I have confidence they will pull through with some additional planned labor cuts and more than likely closing the museum for the winter. They hit the $500k mark this morning and I'm hoping everyone keeps spreading the need.

As someone who withheld my donations because the old CEO felt she should lease a Tesla Model "S" and travel the world, I can without hesitation tell you that this need is genuine. The current leadership is doing everything possible to minimize costs at this point and I feel they will survive to have an amazing 2021 season.

If you are interested in donating - http://savespacecamp.com
Shameless plug for my blog post about the efforts to raise money - https://sprocketeers.org/2020/07/savespacecamp/

 

[WesL]

Good news. With thanks to Boeing and SAIC the center surpassed their $1.5 million goal.

Gift from SAIC pushes Save Space Camp effort over $1.5 million goal

SAIC has made a $250,000 gift to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Save Space Camp campaign, pushing it over its initial $1.5 million goal just one week after the effort launched.

sprocketeers.org

(yup shameless plug for my blog)

 

[Evan]

I really wish they could get permanent funding and get on a path to sustained financial stability.

I definitely want Space Camp to be around for years to come...

 

[WesL]

I really wish they could get permanent funding and get on a path to sustained financial stability.

I definitely want Space Camp to be around for years to come...

Yeah they have come a long way. They had almost 3 million in the bank in March which is the most stable they have been in years. But then 2020 happened... Their quasi-state government agency status has almost always been a blessing and a curse at the same time.

 

[Forrest White]

The British space industry is developing rapidly these days. New company Skyrora represents a new breed of private rocket companies developing the next generation of launch vehicles for the burgeoning small satellite market https://www.skyrora.com/