Events
MRA QUARTERLY LUNCHEON MEETINGS
Tuesday, June 9th, 2026
at The Ledges
CHAD SUMMERS, DIRECTOR, TEST LABORATORY
MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER
TOPIC: CURRENT AND FUTURE TEST ACTIVITIES
As Director, Chad Summers provides executive leadership for all aspects of the MSFC Test Laboratory, including workforce, budget, infrastructure, the operations for propulsion, structural strength, structural dynamics, and environmental testing as well as design analysis for Special Test Equipment (STE).
11:00 - 11:45 Registration & Social
11:45 - 12:15 Lunch
12:15 - 1:00 Business and Speaker
Please help us avoid the long line at the Ledges by purchasing your lunch ticket in advance: https://www.marshallretirees.org/shop/
HUNTSVILLE FOOTBALL CLUB MRA EVENT
The MRA has an opportunity to purchase a block of tickets for a field suite for the July 18 Space Night Huntsville City Football Club match vs Atlanta. Each field suite comes with 25 tickets to the match and 5 parking passes. A food and beverage package can also be purchased. These suites are located on field level, behind the south end goal, and include tables and chairs. We need to have 25 people, $30 per person, to purchase a field suite. The match starts at 7 pm. We would need to commit in the late June time frame. Join Us!! If you would like to participate in this event, please contact Bennie Jacks by June 26 at benniejacks@att.net, or cell phone: 256.603.0894.
MRA BIERGARTEN EVENT
Save the date – Biergarten at the USSRC on July 23: The Biergarten runs from June through September on Thursday nights at the USSRC. Each week, the USSRC selects a non-profit organization to receive 10% of the proceeds to support that organization’s goals. MRA will be the non-profit organization represented at the USSRC Biergarten on Thursday July 23. Please save the date and invite your family, friends, and neighbors to attend. We will enjoy a German style dinner & dancing underneath the beautiful Saturn V Rocket!
We will also host a book signing with authors: Astronauts Jan Davis, Bob Stewart, and Rick Chappell, Bill McDonald, and David Hitt. Dennis Foster will also showcase his musical CD’s and more.
If you need more information contact Bennie Jacks at benniejacks@att.net, or 256.603.0894.
SPACE EXPLORERS CELEBRATION DINNER
Planning is underway for the second annual Space Explorers Celebration on October 2, 2026 at the USSRC Davidson Center. This event kicks off a month of celebrations each year in recognition of October as Space Exploration Month proclaimed by the City of Huntsville and Madison County.
The event will begin with adding names of new permanent NASA employees over the past year to the Wall of Honor. Then attendees to join together at the Davidson Center for fellowship and dinner. The guest speaker at the dinner will be Charlie Bolden, former Space Shuttle Commander and NASA Administrator. The focus of the entire event is to acknowledge and honor the families of the space explorers who made America’s space program a success. Please plan to join us. If you have any questions, please contact Rick Chappell at rick.chappell@vanderbilt.edu.