Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of “The Dream is Alive”

In the early 1980s, IMAX, NASA, Lockheed Martin, and the National Air and Space Museum came together to create the first ever filmed-in-space large format movie, The Dream is Alive, which was released in June 1985. Sequences for the movie were filmed during three Space Shuttle missions in 1984, including STS-41D, the first mission of Discovery, using 2D cameras. One of those cameras is now in the Museum’s collection.  

Astronauts were trained to work like cinematographers and even changed film for the camera while in space. The result wowed moviegoers as it immersed them in the experience of spaceflight for the first time. It continues to stand as a landmark in filmmaking.  

National Air and Space Society members are invited to this event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the film’s premiere.  

In Person at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: The event will begin with a panel discussion featuring IMAX cinematographer James Neihouse and Space Shuttle astronaut Marsha Sue Ivins, moderated by the Museum's Jennifer Levasseur, curator for astronaut cameras, chronographs, and the Space Shuttle. Afterwards, The Dream is Alive will be screened in the Airbus IMAX Theater.

Presented Online: Levasseur’s conversation with Ivins and Neihouse will also be streamed live for members who register in advance. 

Registration is required for both the in-person event and the virtual live stream of the program.

Accessibility: This program will be presented in-person and will be streamed on YouTube with live closed captioning. ASL interpretation will be provided. If you require another access service to fully participate or have any questions about accessibility, please contact NASMPublicLectures@si.edu. To ensure the best experience, please try to contact us at your soonest convenience.