Media Inquiries Public Inquiries 202-633-1000 The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum inaugurated its new John H. Glenn Lecture series on June 10 with a standing-room-only appearance by the space legend and former senator at the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.

Before an audience of  more than 1,500 people, Glenn reflected on some of the remarkable chapters of his life including the 1962 Mercury flight in which he became the first American to orbit the Earth, and the 1998 shuttle mission in which he became, at age 77, the oldest person ever in space. He also discussed future space exploration.

The Glenn Lecture will be an annual forum for distinguished figures to discuss the prominent role of space in American life.

Museum director Gen. J.R. "Jack" Dailey says naming the new lecture series after Glenn reflected the museum's aspirations: "He represents the highest levels of achievement and public service and that's what we want our programs to be about."

The museum has placed added emphasis on its public programs as part of its recent expansion. The Udvar-Hazy Center opened on Dec. 15 as a companion facility to the museum's flagship building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly near Washington Dulles International Airport. The National Air and Space Museum building on the National Mall is located at Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W. Both facilities are open daily from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (Closed December 25.) Admission is free but there is a $12 fee for parking at the Udvar-Hazy Center. Shuttle bus service runs between the facilities with a roundtrip ticket costing $7 (group discounts are available).

The 2004 John H. Glenn Lecture was made possible through the generous support of The Boeing Company. Former senator and astronaut John Glenn inaugurates the John H. Glenn Lecture series at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia, June 10, 2004.