Career-changers eyeing the aerospace industry can apply starting Aug. 17 for Space Center Houston's Accelerate Space Program, a four-month workforce pipeline that includes virtual training, onsite workshops, mock interviews and a job fair with Houston-area aerospace companies.

The program is open to career-changers and recent graduates from college or trade school. Accepted participants begin Oct. 15. Topics include project management, digital personal branding, embracing uncertainty and taking calculated risks. The center has not published pricing details; applications will be available at spacecenter.org.

The workforce push comes after Space Center Houston president and CEO William Harris signed a memorandum of understanding with Houston Community College on June 9, according to Community Impact, to connect students to the center's programs. Harris said at the June signing that the partnership "brings new opportunities to connect education, workforce development and real-world experiences."

Accelerate Space is one of four fall offerings the center is promoting. Here's what else is on the calendar:

Lead Like Astronauts: Sept. 11

The second annual full-day leadership event puts adults through underwater helicopter survival training at the center's Human Performance Accelerator Lab, followed by a networking dinner with NASA astronauts Megan McArthur and Mike Foreman. The day runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the reception and dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Registration is $1,250; members get 10% off.

Carlin Hsueh, a 2025 attendee transitioning into aerospace, wrote on the center's blog in June that "the HUET experience reinforced the power of preparation, trust, and mission-focused teamwork."

Thought Leader Series (presented by UTMB Health)

Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin speaks Sept. 10. Melvin flew two missions on Space Shuttle Atlantis, led NASA's education division and is the only person drafted by the NFL who also walked in space. Commercial spaceflight researcher Kellie Gerardi, who flew on Virgin Galactic's Galactic 05 science mission, closes the series Nov. 5. Both events include a reception with light bites and drinks; tickets are on sale at spacecenter.org.

Family Overnights

Families can sleep among spaceflight artifacts and take part in hands-on STEM activities on three Saturday nights: Sept. 5 (Labor Day weekend), Sept. 19 and Oct. 24. The October date carries a "Galaxy Frights" theme.

Upcoming community calendar

  • Aug. 17 — Accelerate Space Program applications open (spacecenter.org)
  • Sept. 5 — Family Overnight at Space Center Houston
  • Sept. 10 — Thought Leader Series: Leland Melvin
  • Sept. 11 — Lead Like Astronauts full-day event
  • Sept. 19 — Family Overnight
  • Oct. 15 — Accelerate Space Program begins
  • Oct. 24 — Family Overnight: Galaxy Frights
  • Nov. 5 — Thought Leader Series: Kellie Gerardi