NASA’s Artemis I rocket isn’t a celebrity, but it gets star-studded coverage.
A live broadcast of the Space Launch System rocket launch later this month will include celebrity appearances from Jack Black, Chris Evans and Keke Palmer, as well as a special performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Josh Groban and Herbie Hancock, news release from NASA -States. It’s not clear if any of them will actually be at Kennedy Space Center for launch, or if they’ll all make distant appearances.
Here’s what we know about celebrities associated with the launch of Artemis:
- Black is best known for “School of Rock” and the “Kung Fu Panda” films.
- Evans, who recently voiced Buzz Lightyear for Disney’s “Lightyear,” is internationally known for playing Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- Palmer also starred in Lightyear, which is related to Disney’s Toy Story film series. She is also known for her starring roles in Nope and Akeelah and the Bee.
- Groban previously performed on the Space Coast with a concert at the King Center in Melbourne.
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When will NASA’s Artemis rocket launch?
This week, the SLS rocket rolled out to launch pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center. NASA has three attempts for its SLS rocket launch:
- Launch Window 1: 8:33 a.m. to 10:33 a.m. EDT Monday, August 29
- Launch Window 2: 12:48 p.m. to 2:48 p.m. EDT Friday, September 2 (Labor Day weekend)
- Launch Window 3: 5:12 p.m. to 6:32 p.m. EDT Monday, September 5 (Labor Day)
When does NASA’s Artemis launch live broadcast begin?
NASA’s live coverage of the Artemis launch will be broadcast on NASA TV, its app, website and social media accounts – Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Prelaunch events begin on August 22 with a start countdown beginning at 10:23 am on August 27, according to a press release.
In addition to performances by Evans, Black and Palmer, the live broadcast of the launch will include a performance of “America the Beautiful” by the Philadelphia Orchestra and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, according to NASA.
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Previous celebrity visits to the Space Coast
This isn’t the first time celebrities have been linked to the space program – sometimes it was for a rocket launch, sometimes for a space movie. An Oscar winner visited the Kennedy Space Center just for fun.
• In June 1998, the stars of “Armageddon,” which was filmed at Kennedy Space Center, hosted a red carpet event there. Guests of honor included Bruce Willis, Liv Tyler, Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow (who was then dating Affleck).
• On October 29, 1998, John Glenn set a record and at the age of 77 became the oldest astronaut to fly into space. Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio visited Space Coast for Glenn’s launch.
DiCaprio and Diane Keaton filmed scenes for the 1996 film Marvin’s Room here.
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• In 2010, actor Shia LaBeouf (and Optimus Prime) rolled to a set at Kennedy Space Center for “Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon.”
• In 2013, actress Britt Robertson filmed scenes for the sci-fi adventure film Tomorrowland, co-starring George Clooney in Titusville.
• In 2016, the cast of Hidden Figures – Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson and Janelle Monae – appeared at the Kennedy Space Center for a media event. Pharrell joined them.
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• In September 2018, Ryan Gosling, who portrayed astronaut Neil Armstrong in First Man, and Claire Foy, who played Janet Armstrong in the film, visited the Space Coast for a press event at the Kennedy Space Center. Parts of “First Man” were filmed here.
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• In 2019, two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro visited the Kennedy Space Center while on vacation with his family. He later dined at the Pier 220 restaurant in Titusville, pre-booking a table for “Robert De Niro.”
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Other films where scenes were shot at KSC include Contact starring Jodie Foster, Armageddon starring Bruce Willis, Apollo 13 starring Ron Howard and Tom Hanks, Space Camp, Moonraker, and Space Cowboys. with James Garner. In the past, Meryl Streep and John Goodman have appeared here in prominent films.
Sangalang is a digital producer and social media champion for USA TODAY Network-Florida. keep following her Twitter and Instagram: @byjensangalang.