KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – Actor John Travolta will help astronaut Buzz Aldrin launch Aldrin's ShareSpace Foundation at a gala July 18 at Kennedy Space Center, Local 6 news partner Florida Today reports.
Travolta, best known for his roles as Danny Zuko in "Grease" Tony Manero in "Saturday Night Fever," will host the black-tie charity dinner and celebration at KSC's Apollo/Saturn V Center.
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Aldrin made history along with fellow astronaut Neil Armstrong on July 20, 1969, for Apollo 11, the mission in which humans landed on the moon. Armstrong, became the first human to set foot on the moon, followed by Aldrin.
The July event is significant because it marks 46th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. Guests will dine under a restored Saturn V rocket from the Apollo program, a news release said.
"We knew we wanted to do a launch event, and we knew we wanted to do it at Kennedy Space Center," SSF executive director Linn LeBlanc said. "We got the confirmation last week about Travolta. The response has been really positive."
This is the first major fundraiser for Aldrin's foundation, she said.
Local 6 News partner Florida Today reports, in addition to Travolta and Aldrin, astronauts will discuss Apollo 11 at KSC's lunar theater. "I foresee Buzz and John talking about Apollo 11 from their perspective," LeBlanc said.
"We are honored to have two iconic legends celebrate both the anniversary of Apollo 11 and the launch of ShareSpace Foundation, a nonprofit organization which promotes science literacy to children," LeBlanc said in a news release. "This is a unique occasion to mark two important events — going to the moon, which enthralled all humankind and inspired children from around the globe; and now, with the launch of SSF, to further inspire and ignite the flame for innovation in our younger generations."
SSF was founded Jan. 1, 1998.
According to the ShareSpace Foundation Twitter feed, Aldrin was in Brevard in February, visiting shuttle astronaut Winston Scott at Florida Tech and giving him a #GYATM T-shirt. The hashtag is Aldrin's catchphrase "Get Your A-- to Mars." There is a tamer version of the shirt available via ShareSpace's website that says, "Get Your Butt to Mars."
Limited sponsorships are available for $10,000, $25,000 and $50,000. a base ticket for the gala costs $1,200. Admission includes dinner, a silent auction, entertainment and a photo with Travolta and Aldrin.