AUSTIN (KXAN) — Outer space is taking over the Texas Capitol on March 25. Space Day Texas recognizes the state’s special role and impact on human space exploration.
Beginning at 9 a.m., NASA and a variety of aerospace companies hosted events at the State Capitol. Exhibits were found on the “The Great Walk,” Southwest Lawn, and in the Reverse Rotunda.
Live space suit demos occurred in the Reverse Rotunda within the Capitol Extension.
“We’re building the space suit that will return humans to the moon. So the next NASA astronauts will wear this suit. The first woman on the moon will wear this suit. First Person of Color will wear this suit. So we’re very proud to be the space suit provider for NASA,” said Matt Ondler with Axiom Space.
On the Southwest Lawn, members from the International Space Station Program and Artemis programs attended.
According to Norman Garza Jr., executive director of the Texas Space Commission, over twenty exhibits are featured at the capital.
“There are some really incredible companies that have their demos and assets located throughout the capital, two in particular, Firefly and Intuitive Machines, both Texas companies that recently had robots land on the moon. Those lunar landers are going to do some incredible innovation for the rest of us, mere humans and mortals that will never leave this planet,” Garza said.
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The reflection of the reverse rotunda in the visor of a new space suit. (Todd Bailey/ KXAN) -
Space Day Texas at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on March 25, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) -
Space Day Texas at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on March 25, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) -
Space Day Texas at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on March 25, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) -
Space Day Texas at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on March 25, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) -
Space Day Texas at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on March 25, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) -
Space Day Texas at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on March 25, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) -
Space Day Texas at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on March 25, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey)
According to NASA, proclamations celebrating 25 years aboard the International Space Station were held at 10 a.m.
At noon, the crew of Artemis II held public remarks on the south steps. This crew will be the first manned flight to enter orbit of the moon since the 1970s. That mission is scheduled for 2026.
“The best part about today is seeing all of the folks that, on their own, planned to visit the Texas capitol, but didn’t know that it was going to be Space Day. So them to be able to see these demos and a space suit and astronauts and all kinds of cool demonstrations that are around the state Capitol lawn is what I’m anxious to see, whether they’re school children or elderly folks that get really excited about watching what the next huge step for mankind is when it comes to outer space,” Garza said.
Events wrap at 4 p.m. on March 25. The event is free and open to the public.
