Press Releases 2009

40^th ANNIVERSARY OF MOON LANDING
AMERICAN CENTER ORGANIZES PRESENTATION, SEMINAR WITH SCIENTISTS

July 16 2009

Kolkata – “Out in Space.”  This is the title of a colorful program organized by the U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata at the American Center in Kolkata, on Monday, July 20.  The program will commemorate the occasion of man’s historic first landing on the moon on July 20, 1969, 40 years ago.  The program will include video clippings of the epoch making event and will conclude with a seminar addressed by well-known space scientists and physicists.  The Kalpana Chawla Centre for Space and Nano Sciences (KCCSNS), a non-profit academic organization with scientists, teachers, and students from several institutions of eastern India is collaborating with the American Center for the program, and the theme of presentation will concentrate on American accomplishments in space exploration.

Since 2006, the KCCSNS has organized three major workshops on foundations of space science and technology sponsored by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

The American Center’s program is part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s worldwide commemorations of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing Mission. Around the world, the event is being celebrated with poster displays, films, webcasts, and web chats with astronauts, scientists, engineers, and space historians.  The highlight of the July 1-24 programs will be a major news conference on July 20 by astronauts who were members of various Apollo missions; the newscast will be broadcast live by NASA TV.  For more information about the anniversary visit NASA’s web site: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/index.html .

The July 20 program at the American Center will begin at 3.30 p.m. After welcome remarks by Director Douglas Kelly, the Center will screen video clippings of man’s first step on the moon.  Former Professor of Physics from St. Xavier’s College, Albert C. Gomes will preside over the program. Space science scholar Bahni Chatterjee will discuss “U.S. Achievements in Space: Moon and Beyond.”   KCCSNS Director Shantanu Datta will deliver a presentation on “Humans in Space,” followed by Kalyani University’s Biophysics and Biochemistry Department Reader Rita Ghosh’s presentation on “Survival in Space: Issues and Concerns.”  The program will conclude with a question-and-answer session.