New Mexico Museum of Space History Launch Pad Lecture (LPL) 49 and counting is Oct. 3, by Education Director Michael Shinabery. Courtesy/NMDCA
NMDCA News:
ALAMOGORDO — The community is invited to attend the presentation by Education Director Michael Shinabery of the New Mexico Museum of Space History, whose animated style and deep knowledge make history come alive.
Shinabery will discuss the origins of the museum. It all began with Dwight Ohlinger’s dream to create a museum dedicated to space, inspired by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Within three years, that dream became reality with the creation of the International Space Hall of Fame.
He gives an overview of its growth and the influential people who visited it, including Clyde Tombaugh (discoverer of Pluto), whose namesake is on the planetarium building.
Attendees will also hear how many influential supporters, including NASA scientists, gave their time as volunteers because they believed in the museum’s mission.
This presentation provides a chance to experience the fascinating history behind one of New Mexico’s most inspiring institutions. The New Mexico Museum of Space History is not just a museum, but a testament to humanity’s relentless pursuit of the stars—a journey that, in New Mexico, began before the establishment of NASA.
About the Speaker
Michael Shinabery began his career as a teenage disc jockey for WTGN in Lima, Ohio, before earning a journalism degree from Angelo State University and working across traditional media, including the Alamogordo Daily News. His experience covering military news led him to the New Mexico Museum of Space History, where he is now the Education Director.
Event Details:
- When: 9-10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 3, 2025
- Where: New Horizons Dome Theater, New Mexico Museum of Space History, 3198 State Road 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310
- Admission: Free; coffee and donuts provided
The Launch Pad Lecture Series is held on the first Friday of each month. Museum staff, along with special guest speakers, discuss topics ranging from space history to its future.
For more information, visit www.nmspacemuseum.org