HOUSTON, TEXAS (APRIL 7, 2025) – Each year, Space Center Houston hosts the HUNCH (High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware) Culinary Challenge Finals, where the top ten high school teams compete to create the next best dish for space to support astronauts.

The challenge, which celebrates its 10^th year, began with 64 teams worldwide, narrowing down to the top 10 performing teams to compete at the space and science museum. The dishes are judged by 24 experts, including food scientists from the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Food Lab, astronauts, guest chefs, NASA administrators, and scholarship partners.

Joining as a guest judge is Emmanuel Chavez, Houston’s Michelin-starred chef and owner of Tatemo, and a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Chef. Chavez recently won Chef of the Year at the 2025 Tastemaker Awards, adding to his previous accolades as Rising Star Chef in 2023 and Restaurant of the Year in 2024.

“We are thrilled to welcome talented students from around the world to Space Center Houston for the 10th annual HUNCH Culinary Challenge Finals,” said William T. Harris, president and CEO of Space Center Houston. “It’s inspiring to see the delicious meals they create as young innovators, helping to fuel tomorrow’s space explorers.”

A pasta-themed dish is to be prepared on-site, following NASA Food Lab standards, to sustain astronauts working and living aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Prior to the finals, teams compete in a preliminary round in their hometowns. The top 10 teams with the highest score earn an invitation to the one-day challenge at Space Center Houston’s Food Lab Cafe.

Competing in the April 8 culinary challenge are two Texas teams from Angleton and Allen. In the preliminaries, three international schools participated from Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Spain, with Luxembourg making it to the final round.

HUNCH’s Final Top Ten:

1. Venango Technology- Vegetarian Pad Thai- PA

2. North Pointe HS- Beef Stroganoff- MD

3. Phoebus HS- Rasta Pasta- VA

4. Angleton HS- Chicken and Chickpea Pasta- TX

5. RCTC- Spicy Cajun Fettuccini with Roasted Veggies- MI

6. Wekiva- Spinach Linguine with Creamy Mushroom- FL

7. Allen STEAM- Pad Thai- TX

8. Old Colony- Pumpkin Pasta- MA

9. Northeast Area Technical- Zesty Spesto- AR

10. Luxembourg- Luxembourg Ravioli Chicken-Europe

During the finals, Space Center Houston visitors can watch the students compete live, included with their general admission ticket. The student team’s start time will run from 9:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m., with judging to begin at 11:30 a.m. and conclude by 1:00 p.m.

The winning dish will be served aboard the ISS, after being processed by the NASA JSC Food Lab to meet its food processing procedures and nutritional requirements. The winning team and entrée will be announced after the April 8 competition.

For more information, visit  HUNCH Culinary Challenge Finals – Space Center Houston.

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About Space Center Houston

Space Center Houston’s shared purpose is to bring people and space closer together. Over 1.3 million visitors and more than 250,000 students and educators visit each year to connect with the significance of space exploration to pursue a path in STEM or follow along as incredible feats of human spaceflight continue to make new discoveries. Space Center Houston is owned by the Manned Space Flight Education 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and generates an annual $118M economic impact to the Greater Houston area. Space Center Houston is a Smithsonian Affiliate, the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center, and a Certified Autism Center. Learn more at spacecenter.org.

About NASA HUNCH Culinary

2024-2025 HUNCH Culinary Challenge(Pasta Dish) Partnering with the American Culinary Federation, Sullivan University, World Chefs, and the Johnson Space Center Food Lab.

The Astronaut Culinary Challenge develops food items for the Astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Each year there is a new theme given out to the schools where the students create new dishes taking into account food processing procedure and nutritional requirements so that their items will meet the standards of the NASA Johnson Space Center Food Lab.

Schools in the US and abroad bring dishes into their local NASA or partner center for a taste competition with different food industry professionals and personnel. After these preliminary culinary competitions, those with the highest scores from across the world are invited to Johnson Space Center for a final competition where their work will be judged by NASA Food Lab personnel, industry professionals, ISS program office, and Astronauts for quality, taste, their work on the research paper, and presentation video. The winning entree will be processed by the Johnson Space Center Food Lab and sent up to the station for the astronauts to enjoy.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Rashena Franklin, Manager of Communications

713.301.4577

Illiana Luna, Public Relations Specialist

iluna@spacecenter.org

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Moon 2 Mars Festival offers a lineup of electrifying concerts! This year, we’re bringing two internationally recognized bands to headline the festival: On Saturday, March 15, Third Eye Blind take the Moon 2 Mars Stage at 7 p.m., set in front of our NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft carrying a replica of shuttle replica Independence. Then the following weekend on Saturday, March 22, New Orleans-based 8-piece rock band The Revivalists perform and close out the festival. Save the Spotify playlist below to dive into each band’s most popular hits to discover a new favorite track or turn it on during your drive to the festival!

Interested in attending both concerts? We recommend purchasing a membership to Space Center Houston. Not only will you get access to both concerts and a year’s worth of admission, Space Center Houston members receive special perks during the festival, exclusive access to special events. 

The post Who’s got the AUX? Discover the music of our 2025 Moon 2 Mars Festival artists  appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Experience this cosmic phenomenon with other eclipse chasers and make Space Center Houston your eclipse viewing destination! Learn about the science of solar eclipses with three days of interactive programming at our Total Solar Eclipse Celebration—all included in general admission from Saturday, April 6 through Monday, April 8.  

If you’ve already marked your calendar, here are some helpful tips if you’re planning on watching the eclipse:

1. Prioritize eye safety during the eclipse 

When watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which happens before and after totality, you must always look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.  

Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers. 

Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury (Source: NASA).  

All visitors to Space Center Houston on Monday, April 8 will receive a complimentary pair of eclipse glasses to enjoy the experience! 

2. Know the path of totality

Though the path of totality for the April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse cuts through the heart of the Lone Star State, Houston narrowly skirts the full path of totality. This means that the Houston area will not experience totality. However, Space Center Houston will still have an extraordinary view of the event! Check out our map to trace the path of totality while making your travel plans.

3. Prep for a Texas road trip (and Texas traffic)

Did you know it takes around 11 hours to drive across the state of Texas? For those out-of-state visitors coming to see this cosmic phenomenon, the sheer distance between destinations and cities in Texas should be considered in your itinerary. And if you’re flying in to any of the state’s major cities, expect to wait in traffic—private vehicles are the most popular mode of transportation. Variables like highway construction, weather and rush hour can exacerbate traffic, so make sure to give yourself and your crew plenty of time to make it to your destination. With snacks and our eclipse-themed playlist, your drive will go by much faster!

Space Center Houston’s Total Solar Eclipse Celebration is April 6 through April 8 and access is included in your admission to the center. Members get in free and on April 8, they can enjoy a members-only eclipse viewing area! Not a member? Learn more and create a year of out-of-this-world memories.

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Space Center Houston’s Moon 2 Mars Festival, presented by Wellby Financial, is back for year three. Beginning Wednesday, March 13 through Saturday, March 16, the festival celebrates the wonders of space with live music, cutting-edge space tech, immersive experiences, Texas barbecue and more.

The festival ends on Saturday, March 16 with internationally renowned rock band The All-American Rejects hitting the stage at 7:30 p.m. But every day is loaded with musical artists and DJs representing the Lone Start State! Learn more about these artists and their set times at the festival! We’ve compiled this quick mission brief for you and your crew—so sit back, relax and enjoy this lineup of Texas-sized talent.

P.S. Access to the festival is included in general admission to Space Center Houston for these days. Just choose the general admission tickets option and select your day. Interested in visiting multiple days of the festival? Purchase a membership to get free general admission all year, plus a priority entry line and access to a members-only festival lounge.

Wednesday, March 13, 2:30 p.m. | Main Stage | Ancient Cat Society

Houston-based folk band Ancient Cat Society formed in 2010 with founding members Sergio Trevino, Hlaey Lynch and Austin Sepulvado. Ancient Cat Society is a 6-piece supergroup from Houston, Texas – led by Sergio Trevino of Buxton, featuring members Haley Lynch (Dollie Barnes), Austin Sepulvado (Mister Data), Tom Lynch (Vodi), Tank Lisenbe (Tan Kin), and Marshall Graves (Rodeo Art). ACS started off as a folk trio but had grown in size and sound over 2 albums.

Listen on Spotify

Thursday, March 14, 2:30 p.m. | Main Stage | Gio Chamba

Gio Chamba is the wild duo of Gio Alejandro and Coffee Guzman founded in 2014. Their infectious musical blend and raucous performances give them an edge that is hard to find in many bands. Fresh and exciting, yet there’s a celebratory sense of familiarity and warmness in their performances.

Listen on Spotify

Friday, March 15
2:30 p.m. | Main Stage | Bidi Bidi Banda
Kinetic Dance Floor | DJ Flash Gordon Parks
2:30 – 4 p.m. | Happy Hour presented by Michelob Ultra

Bidi Bidi Banda, the six-person Selena tribute band, is based out of Austin. Led by Austin native Stephanie Bergara, the Banda has performed for audiences across the United States and to praise from audiences young and old.

Flash Gordon Parks is an ethnomusicologist and DJ from Houston, TX. He has maintained several DJ residencies which range from Blues to Jazz to Soul/Funk to Hip Hop. As a DJ, he strives to educate the audience through carefully thought-out selections. Flash Gordon Parks often collects, documents and lectures on the importance of Houston’s Rich Music History. Flash Gordon Parks is a documentarian of culture. Using photography, design, and music to capture the intricacies of human behavior in society.

The post Dive into the Texas musical artists turning up the volume at Moon 2 Mars appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Relive the incredible journey of Expedition 69 with the mission’s astronauts! This lively cosmic conversation was recorded at a live event on Thursday, January 18, 2024.

Join us in recognizing their achievements and immerse yourself in an awe-inspiring experience as these space explorers recount their challenges and favorite moments during their stellar adventure to the International Space Station.

The post VIDEO | Expedition 69 Crew Debrief and Awards Ceremony appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Love all things cosmic and stellar? Download and share these space-inspired Valentine’s Day cards with the crew you cherish the most! Choose from four different designs to print out and give to your favorite space explorer. Each card features imagery and facts inspired by the past, present, and future of space exploration.

At-home printing recommendations

We recommend printing these PDF files on 8.5×11 paper. For best results, center them vertically and horizontally and flip on the long side.

The post Valentine’s Day Cards for Starry-Eyed Lovers appeared first on Space Center Houston.

The Conrad Challenge, a global youth innovation competition at Space Center Houston, heads to the moon on Astrobotic’s Peregrine Lunar Lander on Monday, Jan. 8, via a partnership with PHOOZY, maker of thermal protective cases for tech. 

A “MoonDrive” containing historical submissions from past Conrad Challenge participants is included in the Peregrine’s payload, among other cargo from NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative and other customers.  

The Conrad Challenge honors the legacy of astronaut Pete Conrad, the commander of Apollo 12 and the third man to walk on the Moon. The Challenge invites a global community of students to combine education, innovation and entrepreneurship. The MoonDrive’s inclusion in the Peregrine’s payload marks a full-circle moment as it not only carries Conrad’s legacy but also lands near the Ocean of Storms – the same landing site where Apollo 12 landed more than 55 years ago. 

“Apollo 12 is the mission that took STEM to the Moon, and for eighteen years, the Conrad Challenge has been bringing STEM to a global community of students, inviting them to understand and participate in designing a sustainable future for humanity,” said Nancy Conrad, wife of Pete Conrad and Founder of the Conrad Foundation. 

“Pete saw Earth from the Moon as a blue marble in a black sky, without any borders or boundaries. Our students have collaborated without borders to develop solutions that will now return to the lunar surface where Pete walked. This is truly a “back to the future” moment for the Conrad Challenge.” 

Pete’s lunar mission, Apollo 12, marked a significant scientific milestone. It was the first mission to bring STEM to the Moon (through the Apollo Lunar Surface Exploration Package (ALSEP)). The legacy of Apollo has paved the way for the next generation of explorers and innovators. 

This launch marks an opportunity to invite the next generation, the Artemis Generation, to focus on peace, sustainability, scientific discovery and the economic benefits of exploration. 

Learn more about the content included in the Conrad Challenge MoonDrive.

The post Conrad Challenge to the Moon on Peregrine Mission One appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant, is illuminating Space Center Houston once again! Now through Jan. 7, 2024, you and your crew can enjoy your holiday season in space. During your journey through the cosmos of dazzling light displays, you’ll need the right rocket fuel. We’ve got your crew covered! Browse an expanse of holiday snacks that will satisfy everyone as you make starlit holiday memories, crafted with an extra dose of holiday cheer by Wolfgang Puck Catering. 

Ornament of Galaxy-Inspired Mini Macarons 

This special treat features three mini macarons coated in the colors of the galaxy, plus an extra helping of glitter! When you’re done, you can take the ornament home and display it for the holiday season. 

Roast-Your-Own-S’mores Kits

What’s cozier than roasting s’mores? The answer: Roasting s’mores surrounded by twinkling lights, under the starlit Texas sky! 

Gingerbread Cookies 

A holiday classic, grab a few for the crew as you wander our starlit pathway. 

Starry Night Mocktail 

Light up the night with a festive cocktail featuring Starry and pomegranate syrup. This alcohol-free mocktail comes with light-up ice cubes in a commemorative cup.

Kettle Corn and Chocolate Peppermint Bark 

Got snacks? Salty snack lovers can grab a bag of freshly roasted kettle corn while they experience Galaxy Lights. Or if you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, enjoy some chocolate peppermint bark—a favorite holiday treat!

Hot Chocolate in Commemorative Mug 

Warm up during your Galaxy Lights experience with a mug of decadently rich hot chocolate! Plus, get a discount on refills when you purchase a commemorative Galaxy Lights travel mug. 

The post Seven Celestial Holiday Treats to Enjoy Only at Galaxy Lights appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Browse the lookbook ↓

From the Omega Speedmaster becoming the first watch worn on the Moon in 1969, to Moon-inspired garments designed by fashion house Off White displayed on the runway at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2023, space and fashion have frequently taken inspiration from one another.  

A dynamic commercial space industry and NASA’s imagination-revving Artemis program have pushed the interest in space exploration—and a desire to wear space-inspired garments—to new heights in 2023. Earlier this year, it was announced that the Artemis II mission will see four astronauts – Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen – venture around the Moon on a 10-day flight. This will be the first crewed mission on a path to establishing a long-term presence on the Moon and will test NASA’s foundational human deep space exploration capabilities, the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft for the first time with astronauts.  

And what will Artemis astronauts be wearing when they step on the Moon again for the third mission, slated for 2025? The Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, with design partially informed through a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Axiom Space and iconic luxury fashion brand Prada. 

On-planet space lovers need not wait for these pieces, though—outfit yourself in space- and Houston-inspired streetwear from Space Center Houston’s gift shop. 

Prep for cool Texas winters with this NASA-branded crewneck sweatshirt in camo green. It features “Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX” embroidered on the chest above the iconic NASA “meatball” logo. It is styled with a fishing vest and a bright orange tie-back top underneath to add a pop of color. 

“I believe space gives us a perspective of infinite possibilities which allows me to feel free and liberated from societal constructs that affect the way I dress and present myself to the world,” said model Erika Natalie (Instagram: @iamenrg), who is featured in the photo above. 

Lean into fall neutrals while showing your love for the first space agency to land a human on the moon. Wear this cream-colored hoodie featuring a large satin applique of the throwback NASA “worm” logo and “National Aeronautics and Space Administration.” Pair it with a utility-forward messenger bag featuring embroidered patches of all of NASA’s logos and nods to NASA’s storied history with the United States military.

Inject playful pastels into your look while staying warm—and salute a piece of U.S. military history that was foundational to advancing equity for women in the skies. Or opt for a bright pink bomber jacket that recognizes the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) division (right) with embroidered patches and designs. WASP operated during the height of World War II from 1942 to 1944 to answer the U.S.’s need for pilots ferrying aircraft to the front lines. The over 1,000 graduate female pilots of this division paved the way for women in the U.S. Air Force, the military wing that provided three of the first astronauts that comprised the Mercury Seven.  

Ready to infuse your wardrobe with space history? Shop in-person at Space Center Houston or online at spacecenter.org/shop then browse our look book below to style your new threads!

Special Thanks 

Space Center Houston would like to extend our gratitude and acknowledge the generous support of Intuitive Machines for granting us permission to capture photographs at the company’s Flame Range located at the Houston Spaceport. The Flame Range, a remarkable facility designed and built by Burns & McDonnell, has provided us with an exceptional backdrop for capturing stunning images highlighting innovative advancements in aerospace exploration.

Lookbook | Fall 2023

Photographer: Aaron Rodriguez
Stylist: Adrianna Benavides

The post Infuse Star Power Into Your Fall with Space-Inspired Fashion appeared first on Space Center Houston.

On September 12, 2023, the sixty-first anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s historic “moonshot” speech, the iconic lectern from which he delivered those inspiring words was placed back on permanent exhibit in a prominent new location at Space Center Houston. We invite you to visit Space Center Houston to step closer to a defining moment in human space exploration and be inspired by the legacy of those who dared to reach for the Moon.

Learn more about this important artifact in space history at https://spacecenter.org/lectern

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