The first chief executive officer of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and founder of Space Camp, Edward Buckbee, passed away Monday at the age of 89.
The City of Huntsville honored Buckbee last September with a resolution recognizing his leadership in space exploration and museum education.
Buckbee came to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville after graduating from West Virginia University’s School of Journalism. He was appointed NASA’s public affairs officer by Dr. Wernher Von Braun.
Space Camp began in 1982 after a conversation between Von Braun and Buckbee. Over a million participants of Space Camp have emerged with a love for space, including astronaut and Artemis II crew member Christina Koch.
Buckbee retired in 1994 but continued to lecture and educate.
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