“The Martian” cast members visit NASA’s Johnson Space Center
Photo Credit: Juan De La Garza / SpaceFlight Insider
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC), located near Houston, Texas, hosted cast members from the soon-to-be-released 20th Century Fox motion picture, “The Martian.” The event was held in order to discuss the difference between science–fiction and science fact.
Journalists who attended were given the opportunity to attend an employee technology round table led by JSC Director (and four-time space shuttle veteran) Ellen Ochoa with “The Martian” cast-members Sebastian Stan and Mackenzie Davis. They were joined by astronauts and scientists who discussed the real space technologies and spacecraft that are being developed to enable future human Mars exploration.
Left to right Mackenzie Davis, Sebastian Stan, Ellen Ochoa and NASA officials photo credit Juan De La Garza / SpaceFlight Insider
Participating media were able to follow along as the actors received briefings at the International Space Station training facility, and visit the Mission Control Center. NASA Television provided live coverage as the group visited Mission Control and talked with astronauts living on the International Space Station during a LIVE downlink.
Ochoa, NASA experts and “The Martian” cast members were available to answer media questions about the movie and how the space station, Orion and technology development efforts in Houston are paving the way for human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. The day ended with a full-length VIP screening of “The Martian” at a nearby CINEMARK theater.
Photo Credit: Juan De La Garza / SpaceFlight Insider
Juan Diego Delagarza
Juan was born in California but raised in South Texas (Brownsville). He is a veteran of Desert Storm (1991) and current Army Reservist assigned to Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. De La Garza has proven his motivation and dedication of his passion in aviation, spaceflight advocacy and local events through still photography. De La Garza photographed SCA905's move from Ellington Airport to Space Center Houston as part of The Rise of INDEPENDENCE event which saw the shuttle replica placed atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft on Aug. 14, 2014. De La Garza also serves as a contributor to Astro95 Media.
