A heck of an event for the coast of space

For more information: NASA plans a return to the moon a decade from now – but this time the astronauts will stay here

: ] Demolished: Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 17

Planning is already in full swing for a series of five-day events starting July 16, when Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins of the Space Center Kennedy at the top of a Saturn V rocket, until July 20 Preliminary ideas include a parade of astronauts through Cocoa Beach to Corvettes, seminars, a pub crawl and a fire. artifice before ending up at a black tie gala evening at KSC.

The hotel rooms to book quickly and the restaurants near KSC and Cocoa Beach to be restless, as the global spotlight shines again on the coast of space, especially on launch day [19659011] But the excitement increases, an impending question is what role played by Aldrin, the second man on the moon, involved in a legal dispute with his family and his non-profit foundation.

The 88-year-old Satellite Beach resident refused to attend Saturday's Gala at KSC. its name, the Buzz Aldrin ShareSpace Foundation, and the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which raise funds for STEAM education initiatives (science, technology, engineering, art and math). He cites ongoing legal problems and a disagreement on the orientation of the foundation

"I founded ShareSpace Foundation in 1998 for the promotion of individual space travelers," said Mr. Aldrin in a statement to FLORIDA TODAY'S HUI. "In my opinion, the foundation is now used to promote quite different goals."

At last Saturday's gala and in a statement, two children from Aldrin, Andrew and Jan, acknowledged the disappointment from the absence of their father. .

"But we remain determined to honor his legacy as a true American hero through the important work of our family foundation," they said in a statement. "He is still part of the foundation and its board of directors and we look forward to continuing our work together in the future."

The children of Aldrin recently asked a court to grant them legal guardianship of their father. Buzz Aldrin, in turn, sued Andrew, Jan and a long-time business manager, alleging fraud and abuse.

Buzz Aldrin is working with a new management team and is promoting plans to start a new Humanity. Spaceflight Institute based in Houston, separated from the Aldrin Space Institute that he created at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne

Nobody knows how long legal issues will take to resolve, and if they can still Suspend Fiftieth Anniversary Celebrations

A representative of Buzz Aldrin Ventures and a member of his legal team did not immediately respond to questions Monday about his future plans.

Local birthday organizers say that Aldrin's participation is or not next year is not a problem yet.

"We have not even thought about it yet," said Bonnie King, deputy director of the Coastal Space Tourism Bureau. "Right now, we are just trying to put in place the infrastructure and the plan."

King is working in partnership with the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and the Royal Canadian Space Foundation. the Aldrin family. join over time.

She said that the celebrations will not only honor past achievements, but will focus on the future of human space exploration, and involve current astronauts and astronauts from the era of shuttles , in addition to the legends of Apollo. The coast is certain to attract big names from Hollywood and the Beltway, maybe even from the White House.

But it will also compete with planned celebrations across the country and around the world, around the same time.

The White House may receive special recognition, as it did for previous anniversaries

Places with major NASA presences, including Houston – the home of the mission control and corps of astronauts – and Huntsville. Alabama will host major events.

In addition, the command module of the Apollo 11 Columbia Mission performs a cross-Canada tour (now in St. Louis) which, at the time of the anniversary, will end at Museum of the Arts. 39, Seattle Aviation. The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum will unveil Armstrong's space suit, while the Johnson Space Center will restore its historic mission control center. The US Mint will issue coins commemorating Apollo.

NASA is still planning its own lineup, with momentum slated to resume after the space agency celebrates its 60th anniversary this October 1st.

"Even though the unfortunate legal situation was not happening with Buzz right now, it does," said Robert Pearlman, editor of CollectSpace.com and expert in space history and reminiscences. Armstrong died in 2012.)

"So, the idea that (Aldrin) does not manifest in one place or another, I would not look like a snub, but more just that it's going to be very Pearlman said publicly his desire to take advantage of the Apollo 11 anniversary to spark public interest and discussions on how to advance exploration. His main goal is to bring humans to Mars.

"A lot of things can change in a year, so I will not count anything at this point," Pearlman said. "I hope that by July 2019, the focus will be on celebrating team members, without necessarily focusing on their personal lives."

Dave Berman contributed to this article.