Yuri's Night Houston: A Celebration Worthy of Space City

Houston, TX, February 16, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The Yuri’s Night Houston organization is in the process of planning an extraordinary event to be held April 12, 2008, to celebrate the first human flight in space and the launch of the first space shuttle. Boeing has stepped up to serve as the Yuri’s Night Houston 2008 Presenting Sponsor. With their support, the celebration of humanity’s first steps into space is sure to be a great event.

Last year the Yuri’s Night Houston Event, hosted by the American Astronautical Society (AAS), had attendance of more than 500 people, and with Boeing's support this year, the Houston team will be able to build on that success. In order to make that happen, Yuri’s Night Houston has teamed with a host of great partners and sponsors. First to come to the plate was Jacobs Engineering to sponsor a raffle for a Zero-G Flight. Next, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) agreed to co-sponsor Space Education Day with AAS. This portion will engage the public in educational science and technology exhibits. The Yuri’s Night Houston organization also found a partner in the Bay Area Motorcycle Rally, which will bring a unique Texas feel to the Yuri’s Night event. Along with this partnership came the venue. To all in the Houston Area, start making plans to spend April 12 at Space Center Houston. The event will be a great mix of Texas culture with motorcycles, rockets, space, and the Outlaw Texas Music Festival.

Yuri’s Night is celebrated worldwide every year and is named for Yuri Gagarin who made his historic flight around the Earth April 12, 1961, and became the first human in space—an instant hero who opened up the dream of spaceflight for all humanity. Exactly 20 years later on April 12, 1981, the first space shuttle was launched. Yuri's Night is a tribute to these early and daring accomplishments in space, events that have shaped our thoughts and the way we live here on Earth.

This year also marks the 50th Anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA has been a stalwart of United States technological and scientific prowess with over 1200 inventions owing their existence, at least in part, to NASA research. Yuri’s Night Houston will celebrate this anniversary and the initial events of space exploration while reaching out to the world to encourage humanity to continue with great endeavors.

Yuri’s Night Houston will include several events. A 5K Fun Run will be held at Challenger Park in the morning to raise money for charity. The run will be followed by Space Education Day at Space Center Houston, which will allow family and friends to discover how and why we explore space. The main Yuri’s Night celebration will take place in the evening at Space Center Houston and will involve industry professionals and the public. The Jacobs Engineering Zero-G Raffle winner will be selected at this celebration. The Yuri’s Night Houston Web site is now available so check it out for updates as well as ticketing information as we approach April 12.

A worldwide celebration of Space Exploration is coming to the Space City.

###