To the Stars and Beyond! NASA Ambassador Brings Space Exploration to ICCC! Sunday Only

While ICCC is known for its incredible array of Star Wars, Star Trek, and sci-fi wonders, this year's event also featured a captivating journey beyond the fictional galaxies and into the realm of real-world space exploration!

On June 19+20th ICCCon attendees will be treated to a fascinating space education exhibit presented by Chuck Schlemm, a NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador and member of the Middle Tennessee Space Society.

Amidst the bustling energy of the convention, Chuck's exhibit serves as a stellar oasis, drawing in curious minds, from wide-eyed children to enthusiastic adults and even a few friendly "aliens"! For a full seven hours, Chuck shares his passion and knowledge about our past, present, and thrilling future among the stars.

Chuck's "Apollo to Artemis and Beyond!" exhibit is a visual feast, showcasing meticulously crafted spacecraft models that spanned the history of spaceflight and our ambitious future endeavors. Attendees marveled at detailed replicas of the iconic Saturn V & Lunar Module (LM) from the Apollo era, the workhorse Space Shuttle System (STS), and the orbiting marvel of the International Space Station (ISS).

The exhibit also shines a spotlight on the cutting-edge technology of the Artemis program, featuring models of the powerful SLS rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and SpaceX's innovative HLS Moon lander. The exciting advancements in commercial spaceflight were also on display, with models of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo & WhiteKnightTwo, Blue Origin’s New Shepard, Boeing’s Starliner, and SpaceX’s Dragon, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy & Starship with its massive Super Heavy booster.

To truly ignite the imagination about the possibilities of tomorrow, Chuck presents thought-provoking models of a proposed Bigelow Aerospace Moon base, the awe-inspiring Discovery XD-1 from "2001: A Space Odyssey", and the colossal 20-mile long O’Neill Cylinder, sparking engaging discussions about future space exploration and utilization.

Chuck enthusiastically engages with attendees of all ages, answering their questions about the Artemis missions, the burgeoning private spaceflight industry, and inspiring young minds about potential careers in space. He even shared space-related literature and coveted NASA stickers, leaving a lasting impression on the next generation of space explorers.

It will be a truly enriching day at ICCC, proving that our fascination with the cosmos extends far beyond the realms of science fiction. Chuck Schlemm's presence served as a powerful reminder of humanity's ongoing quest to become a spacefaring civilization.

Event Details:

Dates: June 19-21,2026

Location: Embassy Suites and Convention Center Nashville SE 1200 Conference Center Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129