Roger
That!
Roger That! is a two-day celebration of space exploration and the life of Grand Rapids native, Roger B. Chaffee, a former American naval officer and aviator aeronautical engineer, and NASA astronaut in the Apollo program. The GRPM and Grand Valley State University are proud to bring you the ninth annual Roger That! symposium on the weekend of February 20 + 21, 2026.Â
February 20, 2026, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (For School Groups)
Calling all aspiring astronauts: this day is for you! Join us for Roger That! at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. In partnership with GVSU, this day of programming honors the life of Grand Rapids native and astronaut, Roger B. Chaffee, through a variety of STEAM activities and programs for lower elementary students.
February 21, 2026, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Learn about space exploration and STEAM careers as you enjoy hands-on activities and demonstrations from a variety of partner booth and exhibit tables. Here are some of the activities you can expect at the Museum!
- Hear from a real-life astronaut
- Gaze through telescopes
- Create your very own planispheres to unlock the mysteries of the night sky.
- Aim for the stars by launching foam rockets
- Enjoy the magic of a stellar show in the Chaffee Planetarium
- Aspiring astronauts will have the chance to earn a prize for taking part in an astronaut training mission at stations around the Museum
- And more!
Roger That! at Grand Valley State University
There’s even more fun with space at Grand Valley State University from online academic conferences to in person workshops in physics and engineering.
2026 Keynote Speaker Jeanette Epps
Dr. Jeanette J. Epps is a former trailblazing NASA astronaut, aerospace engineer, and former CIA intelligence officer with over 233 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as a mission specialist for SpaceX Crew-8.
Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009, Dr. Epps has undergone extensive mission training with both SpaceX and the Russian space agency Roscosmos. Her expertise includes robotics, spacewalk operations, and emergency preparedness, as well as international systems integration and mission control communications. Notably, she served as a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) for EVA operations, exemplifying her leadership in high-stakes environments.
Dr. Epps holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland and a B.S. in Physics from LeMoyne College. She has authored numerous technical publications, received multiple awards for performance and service, and holds an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters. She is also an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and a proud example of excellence through perseverance.
Community Involvement
We would love if you or your organization got involved in this stellar event! Sign up to join us on Saturday, February 15 with a demonstration, information, or activity table. We also welcome vendors for a small fee of $25. Help us inspire all ages to reach for the stars and get involved with STEAM.
Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium.
Continue celebrating space exploration by visiting the GRPM’s Chaffee Planetarium.Â
Shows in the Chaffee Planetarium take place every hour on February 17 and are $4 per person or $2 for Museum members.Â
In addition to planetarium shows, the GRPM also partnered with astronaut Brent Bos and created a set of new interactive experiences outside of the Chaffee Planetarium. These include a lunar crater station, meteors under a microscope and a meteor pinball machine.Â
The Planetarium lobby also features an exhibit with Roger B. Chaffee artifacts that tell a detailed story of his life.
Apollo 1 Tragedy
On January 27, 1967, tragedy struck NASA’s Apollo program when a flash fire occurred in command module 012 during a launch pad test of the Apollo/Saturn space vehicle being prepared for the first piloted flight, the AS-204 mission. Three astronauts, Lt. Col. Virgil I. Grissom, a veteran of Mercury and Gemini missions; Lt. Col. Edward H. White, the astronaut who had performed the first United States extravehicular activity during the Gemini program; and Grand Rapids Native Roger B. Chaffee, an astronaut preparing for his first space flight, died in this tragic accident.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum renamed its planetarium to the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium the same year.
This event, scholarly in nature and open to the general public, is co-organized by the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Valley State University, and the Roger B. Chaffee Scholarship Fund. Roger That! seeks to honor Chaffee and highlight local research in a two-day celebration of space exploration.
Sponsored By:
