ITTN’s Julia Labedz attended a special Dinner with an Astronaut event hosted by Do Something Different at the Timberyard dining room of The Mayson Hotel, Dublin. The evening was held in partnership with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and offered members of the Irish travel trade a unique opportunity to dine in the company of NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham, one of the few women to have flown in space.
Representing Do Something Different was Graham Hennessy who ensured the night ran smoothly, with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex team consisting of Philip Britton, joined by colleagues Russell Bruhn and TJ Blake. Also speaking on the night was Ivan Beacom of Aer Lingus, while the highlight of the evening was an address by astronaut Joan Higginbotham, one of only three African-American women to have flown in space.
Guests were welcomed with a glass of champagne and mingled throughout the Timber Yard’s dining room, where Philip Britton delivered the opening presentation, introducing the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and outlining the various experiences available to visitors. These include the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, which offers views of launch pads and NASA facilities, and immersive attractions like the Shuttle Launch Experience and the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit. Britton also highlighted the opportunity for visitors to participate in interactive sessions, such as the Chat with an Astronaut experience, where guests can engage directly with NASA astronauts in a small-group setting.
After the main course, Ivan Beacom of Aer Lingus spoke about the airline’s expanding transatlantic network, including their frequent direct flights from Dublin to Orlando. Beacom expressed the airline’s enthusiasm for partnering with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, highlighting the ease with which Irish travellers can now access key U.S. destinations.
Dessert was followed by a powerful and personal keynote address from astronaut Joan Higginbotham. She shared her journey from a childhood passion for electrical engineering to working at the Kennedy Space Center shortly after graduation. Although not initially selected for NASA’s astronaut programme (which shortlisted only 125 out of 6,000 applicants) Higginbotham’s determination led her to reapply after gaining further qualifications and experience. Her persistence paid off. On 6 December 2006, she flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-116 and spent over 308 hours in space working on the International Space Station.
Reflecting on her time in orbit, Higginbotham remarked: “The Earth looked so fragile from all the way up there – there were no borders, no divides.” Her story was a highlight of the evening and left a lasting impression on attendees. Following her keynote, Joan Higginbotham engaged in a Q&A session with attendees. Questions ranged from her personal experience of the Overview Effect, the cognitive shift reported by astronauts when viewing Earth from space, to her views on the rise of commercial space travel. Further hard-hitting questions were asked, regarding her “last supper” meal the night before launch – a hamburger (well-done, as to not add to the risk of becoming ill before the mission) with fries. The audience appreciated her openness and reflections, making the evening not just inspirational but deeply engaging.
The night concluded with closing remarks from Philip Britton, who encouraged the travel trade to reflect on the inspirational stories shared and to consider the powerful experiences available at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for future clients.
ITTN’s Julia Labedz would like to thank Do Something Different and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for a memorable and insightful evening, and extends sincere thanks to Joan Higginbotham for generously sharing her time and remarkable story.
