Behind the Scenes of Mission Moon: Interview with Adler Planetarium Exhibit Developer Annie Vedder
What’s it like working at North America’s oldest planetarium? How do exhibitions viewed by hundreds of thousands come together? And when your workplace features moon rocks, space capsules, and one of the world’s most advanced dome theaters, do interstellar artifacts ever become personal desk items?
Annie Vedder, Exhibit Developer at the Adler Planetarium, spoke with Travelzoo about the new Mission Moon exhibit, the human side of spaceflight, dehydrated space ice cream, and how coffee with an astronaut’s wife transformed their presentation.
TZ: Before we dive in, the obvious question—what’s your relation to Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder?
Annie Vedder: We used to joke he was our cousin, but probably not. We share the same last name and birthday—December 23rd. He’s 10 years older, but as a teen, I’d see MTV News wish him happy birthday and think it was for me too. Cool high school moment!
TZ: Being in Chicago, with his Evanston roots and Cubs games, it had to be asked.
Annie: There must be some connection—no proof, but yes.
TZ: Tell us about developing Mission Moon. Was it your project from the start?
Annie: It began a year ago, refreshing the old Shoot for the Moon exhibit. We reevaluated the space and narrative. Initially, we considered a Space Race focus from Sputnik onward.
Then, coffee with Mrs. Lovell—Captain James Lovell’s wife—changed everything. She highlighted it as a family and human story, not just his. We shifted to humanity’s mission to the Moon, emphasizing emotional connections like Lovell’s childhood dreams, failing his Mercury Seven physical, and persevering.
People relate to dreams deferred or Plan B paths. We followed his NASA oral history: astronaut, mission control, science team. It humanized him, including family stories.
Courtesy of the Adler Planetarium
TZ: Like the family scenes in Apollo 13 with Tom Hanks, building emotional distance.
Annie: We watched it, but prioritized authentic archival material. Mission Moon honors the family with real NASA audio from Apollo 13’s explosion—they stayed calm, trained professionals.
We feature “Crisis at Home,” with the squawk box for families to hear mission control. Mrs. Lovell’s passive listening to her husband in peril, thousands of miles away, pulls visitors in. Feel alongside Lovell, his family, Gene Kranz, or Christopher Kraft. All audio and quotes are archival for respect and authenticity.
TZ: How did you collaborate with NASA? What Adler artifacts were used?
Annie: Artifacts were from the prior exhibit: Gemini 12 capsule (Smithsonian loan), Lovell’s personal donations. We improved accessibility—a ramp lets visitors peer inside the cramped capsule where Lovell and Buzz Aldrin lived and worked, with a large photo of Aldrin’s EVA.
NASA archives provided images, audio, video. Contacts at Johnson Space Center helped with details like mission control setups.
TZ: Any artifact you’d love for your living room?
Annie: A moon rock from Great Scott—perfect paperweight! Or Lovell’s Apollo 13 helmet and gloves. Imagine kids finding Dad’s spacesuit in the closet. We also have Gemini 12 flight plan, Apollo 8 items, Apollo 13 malfunction manual—with handwritten notes connecting us to history.
Courtesy of the Adler Planetarium
TZ: Do staff stargaze with telescopes after hours, beyond Adler After Dark?
Annie: Doane Observatory is incredible. Our research scientists engage the public directly—ask questions, see demos. The people are our best behind-the-scenes gem.
TZ: No Xbox on the big dome screen?
Annie: Not saying it hasn’t happened. [laughs] Our playful, innovative team tries new things.
TZ: Final one—sick of freeze-dried space ice cream, like at Adler and Museum of Science and Industry?
Annie: [laughs] In Chicago’s food scene, tough sell. Space food evolved from Mercury/Gemini grossness. Not my favorite, but I’d eat it if needed.
Travelzoo offers Anytime All-Access Passes to Adler Planetarium at 45% off. Valid through June 30th—explore all shows and exhibits, including Mission Moon.
