During the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday morning, it was announced that Boeing contributed $3.5 million toward the project, securing naming rights for the new facility.

HUNTSVILLE – The U.S. Space & Rocket Center announced the naming of its new Space Camp Operations Center for Boeing, a global leader in aerospace and a longtime supporter of the Rocket Center and its Space Camp programs.

Boeing is making a $3.5 million donation for the new 40,600-square-foot building that will include a permanent home for U.S. Cyber Camp as well as a 1,000-seat auditorium and 10 classrooms and laboratories to support the Space Camp family of programs.

Dr. Kimberly Robinson, CEO and executive director of the Rocket Center, and Jim Chilton, senior vice president of Boeing’s Space and Launch Division, made the announcement of the Boeing donation this morning at a ceremonial groundbreaking for the building. Boeing’s contribution is the Center’s single largest donation to date.

“Our friends at Boeing have been with us since Space Camp began in 1982, and we’re honored to partner with them in creating a space that embraces the future of exploration and will inspire generations to come,” Dr. Robinson said.

“The Boeing Company is investing in the U.S. Space and Rocket Center because it provides innovative exposure to STEM-based knowledge and hands-on learning that help students see themselves in the careers of the future,” said Jim Chilton, senior vice president of Boeing Space and Launch. “In fact, many of our Boeing space systems engineers are graduates of Space Camp, and credit their experiences here with inspiring them to reach for the stars.”

Also announced today is the naming of the multi-function lobby of the new operations building. The Allen Foundation made the funds possible for this soaring space, which will be named the Anthony Loumis Lobby in honor of 13-year-old Anthony Loumis, a Space Academy graduate.

The following donors contributed funds to outfit three of the 10 state-of-the-arts classrooms:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama – Robotics Lab
Gary Brukardt Foundation – Rocketry Propulsion
Dr. Joyce Neighbors Trust – STEM Lab