Buzz Aldrin’s ShareSpace Foundation Gala: Celebrating Space, Education, and the Future of Mars Exploration
On 15th July, the legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin—renowned as the second human to set foot on the moon—hosted the third annual gala for his ShareSpace Foundation at Florida’s iconic Kennedy Space Center. The event was a dazzling celebration of space exploration and a fundraiser for future-focused education, with over $200,000 raised to support the foundation’s mission. We were incredibly honoured to contribute to this extraordinary evening by donating 50 of our Mars MOVA Globes to serve as the gala’s centrepieces. Each globe was personally signed by Buzz himself and later auctioned off to further benefit space education initiatives.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Space Explorers
Since its founding in 1998, the ShareSpace Foundation has impacted over 500,000 students across the United States. The organisation aims to integrate space exploration more meaningfully into primary school curriculums—an effort that couldn’t be more timely. Did you know that the average American student only spends 30 minutes learning about space after primary school? ShareSpace is on a mission to change that.
One of the highlights of their latest curriculum is a giant Mars floor map, an immersive educational tool that helps young learners connect scientific concepts in maths, physics, and planetary science with a sense of awe and exploration.
“The moon landing is when the world collectively stopped to witness something good,” said Christina Korp, Buzz Aldrin’s Mission Control Director. “We all remember tragedies, but this was something different.”
A Night to Remember at the Kennedy Space Center
From the moment you step into the Kennedy Space Center, it’s clear you’ve arrived at a place where history and innovation collide. Dubbed the "Disneyland for space nerds," the centre houses awe-inspiring memorabilia, astronaut interviews, and immersive exhibits. The Heroes and Legends Hall of Fame offered a particularly moving tribute to the pioneers of space travel.
The evening's festivities took place in the breathtaking Saturn V building, where guests dined beneath the colossal Saturn V rocket—an engineering marvel that once carried astronauts to the moon. It's nearly impossible to look away from the rocket's sheer scale and significance.
Honouring the Future of Space
Throughout the evening, speeches and awards were delivered to honour individuals shaping the future of space exploration. One of the evening’s standout moments was Jeff Bezos receiving an award for his contributions through Blue Origin, his aerospace company. Bezos spoke about the critical importance of reusable rockets and how lunar colonisation is the first major step toward making Mars missions a reality.
The message was loud and clear: space travel isn’t just a dream, it’s a necessity. The gala reinforced the idea that investing in the next generation’s education is key to achieving those cosmic goals. The room was filled with passionate individuals who believe that reaching Mars is not just possible, but vital for the future of humanity.
MOVA Globes and a Message for the Stars
We were truly privileged to see our Mars MOVA Globes featured at such an inspiring event. As they slowly rotated beneath Buzz Aldrin’s signature and the gaze of space visionaries, they served as a symbol of what is possible when education, innovation, and passion align.
Celebrating the 48th anniversary of the moon landing, standing beneath a rocket that once launched humans into space, and being in the company of those who are shaping the future—it was an unforgettable experience. It reminded us that while Earth is our home, our future may be among the stars.
