By Editorial Services
Lehigh University will host the 2026 Lehigh Valley Space Fest on Saturday, Sept. 26, bringing a day of hands-on science and engineering activities and programming focused on astronomy and space exploration to Mountaintop.
The free, family-friendly event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in and around Building C. Lehigh is serving as presenting sponsor and host of the annual festival, which is coordinated by Easton-based nonprofit Galactic Outreach Inc.
More than 20 exhibitors are expected, with activities including solar astronomy viewing, an inflatable planetarium, model rocketry, an astronaut photo station, and science and technology demonstrations. The schedule also includes tours of Lehigh’s Autonomous and Intelligent Robotics Laboratory and an astrophotography presentation.
Rossin College faculty and student organizations will also take part. Materials science and engineering faculty Sean Mills and Siddha Pimputkar will present “Blasting Off with MSE: Materials that Survive the Universe.” Jim Gilchrist, the Ruth H. and Sam Madrid Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering will discuss microgravity experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station. Student groups scheduled to participate include the Lehigh University Rocketry Association, Lehigh University Space Initiative, Lehigh University Astronomy Club, Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, and Society of Women Engineers.
Lehigh Valley Space Fest was founded as a community outreach event focused on making space science and exploration accessible to audiences of all ages. Festival co-founder and NASA Solar System Ambassador Marty McGuire ’96 is a Lehigh alumnus.
For the latest schedule, exhibitor lineup, parking information and other event details, visit the Lehigh Valley Space Fest website.
