Houston, TX –October 17, 2007 – The 15^th annual RE/MAX Ballunar Liftoff Festival, presented by the City of Nassau Bay November 2^nd –4^th at the NASA/Johnson Space Center, once again features Saturday’s NASA Mini-Tour as a centerpiece of festival attractions. Festival co-founder Steve Lombardi said the opportunity to open up behind-the-scenes astronaut facilities gives aerial enthusiasts a great glimpse of what keeps America at the forefront of space exploration. 

“From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, festival attendees can take the NASA Mini-Tour at no additional fee,” said Lombardi. “For just $10 per carload family admission price, and free onsite parking at the NASA/Johnson Space Center, our guests can enjoy all the events, launches, glows and fun the festival offers, and get the NASA tour as well.” 

Visitors have the opportunity to tour a moon habitat module; space suit displays; space and life science exhibits; rocks from the moon and meteorites from Mars; and the Saturn V Complex, housing the powerful rocket that took the United States to the moon almost four decades ago. Astronauts will also be available at the Saturn V Complex to sign autographs on Saturday. 

Media interview opportunities will be available with the astronauts immediately following their autograph sessions. To schedule an interview, contact Paul Miller at 281-382-6886. 

In addition to touring NASA facilities, visitors can find out about NASA’s plans to go back to the moon; learn about the STS-120 shuttle mission; step inside a spacesuit mockup; take home a photo of themselves on the moon or Mars; and speak with people who work with the U.S. space program. NASA’s exhibit tent will be open 6-9 p.m Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday.

For more information, schedule of events, and directions to the NASA/Johnson Space Center, visit www.ballunarfestival.com.