Huntsville community mourns the loss of Ed Buckbee, Space Camp founder

U.S. Space Rocket Center 09 1 — Space Camp has had over one million attendees since its founding in 1982. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center has announced that its first executive director and founder of its programs Space Camp and Aviation Challenge, Edward Buckbee has died. He was 89.

The USSRC announced his passing on Monday.

About Ed:

Buckbee was the first executive director of the Rocket Center after being appointed to the role by Wernher von Braun in 1970. He served in the position for 23 years.

During his tenure at the center, Buckbee led the establishment of Space Camp and Aviation Challenge. These programs for children and teenagers have had over one million attendees since their founding.

U.S. Space Rocket Center 08 — Buckbee founded Space Camp and Aviation Challenge. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

The Space and Rocket Center shared words on his passing on Monday:

“We are saddened by the passing of Edward O. Buckbee, founding Executive Director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. In his 23-year tenure at the Rocket Center, he accomplished many things but perhaps none greater than opening Space Camp in 1982. The future engineers, scientists, and astronauts Space Camp inspires are his enduring legacy. Auspiciously, today Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch, a five-time Space Camp alumna, becomes the first woman to orbit the Moon.”

_{Statement from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center}

Ed’s NASA Career:

Before his time at the Rocket Center, Buckbee had a lengthy NASA career. He began working at the agency in 1959 when it selected the first Mercury astronauts. While working at NASA, he attended the launch of Alan Shepard, John Glenn, and the Apollo missions’ moon landings.

Prior to being appointed executive director, Buckbee also worked with the Marshall Spaceflight Center and as a NASA advisor and consultant.

To honor Buckbee’s lasting legacy, present in all Space Camp graduates—including the one currently returning from the moon—the USSRC shared a video celebrating Buckbee and some of his greatest accomplishments.

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