Touch a Moon rock, meet an astronaut, and find out what Hollywood keeps getting wrong about space — all under one roof in Houston.
Comic conventions are built for fans who love to geek out. This year, NASA’s Johnson Space Center is walking right through the doors of George R. Brown Convention Center to give Houston something even better than fiction — the real future of human space exploration.
NASA joins Comicpalooza 2024 from May 24 to 26, bringing a fully immersive exhibit, exclusive panels, and the chance to meet a NASA astronaut face to face. Whether you’re a lifelong space nerd or just curious what it actually takes to get humans back to the Moon, there’s something here for you.
What You Can Do at the NASA Booth
NASA’s Johnson Space Center booth and panel stage is set up in Hall A. Stop by to talk directly with NASA experts and scientists, take photos with a full-size space suit, and get behind the controls of a Lunar Terrain Vehicle in a state-of-the-art simulator.
The highlight for many visitors will be something you can actually touch. NASA is bringing the only mobile Moon rock in the world — a piece of history you can hold in your hands.
Meet NASA Astronaut Marcos Berríos
On Saturday, May 25 at 12:30 p.m., NASA astronaut Marcos Berríos takes the stage to share his journey and his excitement about the future of human spaceflight. After his presentation, he’ll meet and pose for photos with fans.
Berríos was selected by NASA to join the 2021 astronaut candidate class. An Air Force test pilot, he holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from MIT, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a doctorate in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford. Born in Fort Campbell, Tennessee, he considers Guaynabo, Puerto Rico his hometown. He has logged more than 1,400 hours of flight time across more than 21 different aircraft, including over 110 combat missions.
Full Panel Schedule
All times Central.
Friday, May 24
Development of Lunar Base Camp — 3:30 p.m. NASA scientists break down the development of a Lunar Base Camp with future Artemis missions. Panelists: Ian Galloway and Ben Sim, Systems Engineers, Avionics Sub-System Managers for Pressurized Rover
Driving on the Moon One Day — 5 p.m. A preview of the latest technology and partnerships developing the next mobility systems on the Moon. Panelists: Tim Hall, EHP Strategic Communications Manager; Michael Interbartolo, Engineering Integration Lead for Pressurized Rover Team
Saturday, May 25
Another One Bites the Dust: Lunar Dust, Hardware Damage, and Why It Matters on the Moon — 11 a.m. Lunar dust mitigation engineers and scientists discuss the risks of working on the Moon, lessons from Apollo, and how they plan to protect astronauts and hardware. Panelists: Brian Troutman, Human Landing System Crew Compartment Lunar Dust Mitigation Discipline Lead; Amy Fritz, Gateway IVA Dust System Manager; Josh Litofsky and Jackie Black, Crew Co IVA Dust System Managers
Meet NASA Astronaut Marcos Berríos — 12:30 p.m. Hear Berríos’ journey to NASA and the future of human spaceflight. Meet and photo opportunity follows.
Technically Correct, The Best Kind of Correct: What Hollywood Gets Right (and Wrong) About Space Exploration — 1:30 p.m. A fun, expert-led conversation about where the movies nail it — and where they don’t. Panelists: Brian Troutman; Scott Stokes, Integration Services Manager; Amy Fritz, Aerospace Flight Systems; Todd Fox, Active Thermal Control Sub-System Manager; Robert Howard, Human/Machine Systems; Michael Interbartolo, Engineering Integration Lead for Pressurized Rover Team
Why Is It So Hard to Get to Mars? — 3:30 p.m. Mars seems close, yet so far. A discussion on what makes the Red Planet such a challenge and what NASA is doing about it. Panelist: Mike Rodriggs, Automation and Robotics Systems
Landing on the Moon — 5 p.m. From the Apollo era to today’s surge in lunar missions — why landing on the Moon is still one of the hardest things humanity attempts, and what’s next. Panelists: Ron Sostaric, Aerospace Vehicle Design and Mission Analyst; Jenny Gruber, Operations Integration Branch Chief
International Space Station MIMIC: See the Mini Station Work Real-Time — 6 p.m. A 1:100 scale 3D-printed robotic model of the ISS that syncs to live telemetry from the actual space station — built with open-source STEM components and designed to be replicated by students and space enthusiasts everywhere. Panelist: Bryan Murphy, Associate Chief Engineer, International Space Station and Deep Space Exploration
Sunday, May 26
My NASA Story — 11:30 a.m. What does it actually take to launch a career at Johnson Space Center? Panelists share how they got there and what their work looks like day to day. Panelists: Krishna Kapadia, Gateway Software and Data Integration; Margaret Kennedy, Human Health and Performance Systems Engineer; Ashley Craig, Gateway Human Factors Engineer; Dillyn Mumme, Operations Planner and Flight Activities Officer in Gateway Mission Planning
Artemis Overview — 1 p.m. An overview of NASA’s lunar exploration program — including the mission to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon — and how it sets the stage for human missions to Mars. Panelists: Roland Martinez, Technical Management; Kathryn Hilton, Pressurized Rover SE&I Lead; James Geffre, Orion Vehicle Integration Manager; Elisa Riveria, Flight Design and Integration Team
Tesla Coil Demonstration — 2 p.m. Science meets spectacle in a live Tesla coil demonstration — lightning, sound, and a little superhero magic. Panelist: Ryan Ogilvie, Development Engineer, Space Suit Personal Life Support System Team
Draw Artemis: LIVE! — 3 p.m. NASA needs artists. Join a live draw-along focused on humanity’s return to the Moon and the otherworldly environment of the lunar South Pole. Featured artist Mark Kistler — the educator behind beloved TV shows The Secret City, Draw Squad, and Imagination Station — guides the session. Pencils, paper, and handouts provided. Panelists: Jack Moore, NASA Community Engagement; Patricia Moore, Communications Strategist, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate; Daniel O’Neal, Graphic Designer, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate; Mark Kistler, Artist
Worn to Perfection: The Art of Aging and Weathering Props for Narrative Depth — 4 p.m. Does your cosplay look too pristine? Seasoned propmaster Adam Burnett walks you through budget-friendly techniques for distressing and weathering props to give them real character and history.
Event Details
Event: Comicpalooza 2024 Dates: Friday, May 24 through Sunday, May 26, 2024 Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston NASA Booth: Hall A — all panel times Central Full details: nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/johnson/go-back-to-the-future-with-nasa-at-comicpalooza-2024
