Manage your Account

Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo

Please Note:  Roadworks taking place. Click here for more info.


THE AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE OF 'MISSION CONTROL'

FEATURING: 
Apollo 16 Astronaut and Moonwalker, CHARLIE DUKE and Apollo Mission Control Flight Director GERRY GRIFFIN Live on Stage! 
With a special tribute to Captain Gene Cernan, The Last Man on the Moon. 

Hosted by acclaimed Australian Astrophysicist, Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith.
 

At the heart of the Apollo space program was the team who worked in Mission Control. Some came from a rural lifestyle unchanged since the 19th Century. Others grew up in blue-collar America of mines and smokestacks.

They ranged from students straight out of college to students, to soldiers hardened by military service. Yet, from such ordinary beginnings, an extraordinary team was born. They set out on what JFK called, 'the most hazardous, dangerous, and greatest adventure upon which mankind has ever embarked."

Through the team's testimony and the supporting voices of Apollo astronauts and modern NASA flight directors, the movie explores their journey from the faltering start of the program to the glories of the Moon landings, and the rescue of Apollo 13.


Running Times

Starts: 7.30pm sharp
Finishes approx. 10:30pm
Includes 20 min. interval

Times are approximate and subject to change at any time.


Exclusive Q&A with Charlie Duke & Gerry Griffin 
Appearing Live on Stage

CHARLIE DUKE

A NASA astronaut who explored the moon during Apollo 16. Charlie Duke became the tenth and youngest man to step onto the lunar surface, just minutes after his crew mate John Young. 

Best known for his crucial role as CAPCOM - The spacecraft communicator - During the dramatic and dangerous landing of Apollo 11. It was he who passed crucial instructions to Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as they encountered computer problems during their descent. And when Apollo 11 ran along its its landing barely reaching the lunar surface before using all of their fuel, it was Duke who deadpanned, "Tranquility, we copy you on the ground. You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot!"


GERRY GRIFFIN

Upon graduation from Texas A&M Gerry was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. He served four years on active duty, first in flight training, then flying as a weapon systems officer in jet fighter-interceptors. In 1960 Gerry left active duty and began his space career as a systems engineer/flight controller at the USAF Satellite Test Center in Sunnyvale, California.

In 1964 Gerry joined NASA in Houston as a flight controller in Mission Control, specializing in guidance, navigation and control systems during Project Gemini. In 1968 he was named a Mission Control flight director and served in that role for all of the Apollo Program manned missions, including all nine manned missions out to the moon, six of which included lunar landings. Gerry’s “Gold” team conducted half of the lunar landings made during Apollo: Apollo’s 14, 16, & 17. His team was scheduled to conduct the landing of Apollo 13, but when the landing was cancelled as a result of the oxygen tank explosion, his team played a key role in the safe return of the astronauts.

Because of his real life role as a flight director during the troubled flight of Apollo 13 Gerry was a technical advisor for the movie Apollo 13. Later he was a technical advisor for and an actor in the movies Contact, Deep Impact and Apollo 18 to name a few and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. 



MEET AND GREET PACKAGES

Gerry Griffin Meet & Greet Package - Cut off time Friday 11 May at 5 pm

Simply select any A-Reserve seat and click on the pop-up link to the Meet & Greet and add it to your order.

Important note: The A-Reserve seat must be purchased in addition to the Meet & Greet Experience.

  • Premium A Reserve Seat (must be purchased separately) 
  • Professional Photo with Gerry Griffin
  • Signed Photo of Gerry Griffin (Historic Mission Control Photo of Gerry Griffin)
  • Official Mission Control Show Program
  • DVD Copy of Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo)
  • Official Mission Control Patch

Meet & Greet Package (Gerry Griffin) - Ticketholder Advice here 


Charlie Duke Meet & Greet Package - 
SOLD OUT

Simply select a seat from the VIP Meet & Greet Reserve within the centre section of the front two rows of the Stalls.

Important note: the seat and the Meet & Greet Experience is included in the price.

  • Premium Seat (Front rows of auditorium in stalls)
  • Professional photo with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke
  • Personally signed large photo with Charlie Duke
  • Official show program - Mission Control
  • DVD copy of Mission Control - The Unsung Heroes of Apollo

Meet & Greet Package (Charlie Duke) - Ticketholder Advice here


Food & Beverage

A ‘Grab & Go’ menu will be available pre-show from 6.00pm at this event.
Meals you will often find at this station range from curries, braises, gourmet burgers and substantial salads, right through to lighter options such as sushi, special fries and gourmet pies.

 

 


Presented by Haviland Digital and Live on Stage Australia in association with VISIT HOUSTON