By Dave Dressler
NSS Director of Information Systems
April 12th, holds particular significance in space history, marking Yuri’s Night, the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s groundbreaking orbit in 1961. Twenty years later, on the same date, the Space Shuttle Columbia embarked on its maiden voyage, circling Earth 37 times.
Yuri’s Night was celebrated a week early in Los Angeles, when on April 5, 2025, space enthusiasts gathered at the California Science Center in Los Angeles to commemorate 64 years of human spaceflight.
At the California Science Center event, Ari Eisenstat delivered an engaging presentation about the Apollo-Soyuz mission in front of the Apollo Command Module, since this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. This remarkable mission showcased the potential for cooperation between nations with differing ideologies, as spacecraft from the United States and the Soviet Union docked in space, symbolizing a significant achievement in human collaboration.
The concept of a global space celebration for Yuri’s Night originated in 2000 with Loretta and George Whitesides. Their vision for a “world space party” on April 12th coincided with Loretta’s birthday (and mine). I first encountered Yuri’s Night at the International Space Development Conference (ISDC) in 2006, where I had the pleasure of meeting Loretta and George. The tradition has continued ever since. Happy Birthday, Loretta!
The evening at the California Science Center commenced with an energetic introduction by Loretta, who then welcomed Michel Pascal to the stage. Michel’s inspiring message and captivating song set a positive and enlightening tone for the event.
Kenneth Phillips, Curator at the Science Center, then shared exciting updates about the institution’s ongoing transformations. Under his leadership, a significant project is underway to vertically stack the Space Shuttle Endeavour in its launch configuration. This complex undertaking involves a dedicated team of skilled technicians meticulously aligning the orbiter, external tank, and Solid Rocket Boosters. Once completed, visitors will have unprecedented views of the fully assembled launch stack from various perspectives, offering a sense of being present at liftoff.
Attendees were also privileged to hear from NASA Astronaut Dr. Jeanette Epps. Having recently returned from an eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8, Dr. Epps shared her experiences and passion for observing Earth from the Cupola. She captured numerous stunning photographs of our planet, particularly the mesmerizing auroras near the poles. Dr. Epps recounted the unique experience of witnessing sunrise and sunset every 45 minutes from the ISS and described the powerful emotional impact of the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, as seen from space. Many look forward to her presence at future events.
The evening also featured renowned astrophysicist and popular YouTuber Scott Manley. It was a pleasure to meet Scott and learn about his background in Scotland and his current life in San Francisco. Scott has created a wealth of insightful YouTube videos explaining the complexities of spacecraft, physics, and aircraft. He is anticipated to join future ISDC events. Scott’s YouTube channel offers a deep dive into his extensive knowledge.
Yuri’s Night LA provided a vibrant atmosphere with numerous activities, entertainment, and the presence of influential figures in the space community. Individuals are encouraged to consider organizing their own Yuri’s Night celebrations to expand this global space party and promote awareness of human achievements in space within their own communities. Happy Birthday again, Loretta!
