To honor the astronauts and brave members of the NASA family who gave their lives in the pursuit of space exploration and service to our nation, NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., will hold a Day of Remembrance ceremony in the center’s visitor center, the Exploration Center on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014.

Ames employees and ceremony participants are invited to hear remarks from Ames Associate Center Director Deb Feng, see a Day of Remembrance video and observe a moment of silence. Across the country, flags at NASA Headquarters in Washington and the NASA field centers will be flown at half-mast in memory of colleagues lost in the cause of exploration.

Reporters interested in participating must contact Sharon Lozano at sharon.k.lozano@nasa.gov or 650-604-2989 by 5 p.m. PST, Thursday, Jan. 30.

Schedule of events for Jan. 31 (all times PST)

– 9 a.m.: Exploration Center doors open

– 9:15 a.m.: Opening remarks by Ames Associate Center Director Deb Feng

– 9:25 a.m.: Moment of silence

– 9:30 a.m.: Day of Remembrance video

– 9:40 a.m.: Closing remarks

Ames’ Exploration Center is the large white dome located at the main gate of NASA’s Ames Research Center. To reach NASA Ames, take U.S. Highway 101 to the Moffett Field, NASA Parkway exit and drive east on Moffett Boulevard toward the main gate and bear right into the parking lot.

More than a decade has passed since the loss of the crew of space shuttle Columbia on Feb. 1, 2003, just minutes before landing. More than 40 years ago, on Jan. 27, 1967, the crew of Apollo 1 perished in a terrible fire. And nearly 30 years ago, on Jan. 28, 1986, the crew of space shuttle Challenger died less than two minutes after launch.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov

For more information about NASA Ames, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ames