Astronaut Mark Kelly makes out-of-this-world appearance on behalf of SpaceCenter Houston

He might have retired from outer space romps, but astronaut Mark Kelly still has a place in his heart for NASA and all things related to the space mission. So it was no surprise that he was the celebrity guest at Space Center Houston's holiday fundraiser, held in the beautifully cavernous River Oaks home of Alice and Keith Mosing.

As he signed copies of Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope, the book he co-wrote with his wife, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and posed for photos with VIP ticket purchasers ($2,500), Kelly seemed nonplussed when asked about his cover portrait on Esquire magazine. "Oh, you noticed that?" he quipped. "You know, it is what it is."

As for his plans once the book tour is completed, Kelly told CultureMap, "I'm giving some speeches. I'm really focusing on making sure that Gabby has everything she needs so that she can get back to work. Possibly doing some consulting. I'm looking at some options."

While Kelly was the publicized draw for the sellout crowd of 200, there was Space Center Houston excitement as well. Plans for the addition of a full-scale teaching model Space Shuttle were unveiled as the latest addition to the center that, since its opening in 1992, has hosted 14 million visitors and provided educational programs for more than 1 million school children.

Already, $100,000 has been pledged by Chevron for the project, that announcement made on this evening by Joni Baird, the oil company's Houston public affairs manager.

The spirit of the space center was evident throughout the Mosing's home, starting on arrival with valet parkers dressed in flight suits and Santa hats. Models of shuttle orbiters, shuttle memorable and costumed space characters peppered the scene. Even Alice Mosing and their two young twin sons wore flight suits.

The multi-dimensional party included wine tasting stations, wines procured by Franelle Rogers, with vino donated from a coterie of wine collectors including Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Meredith and Fielding Cocke, Betsy and Fred Griffin, Caroline and Gary Kenney, Anne and Joe Romano, Kim and Dan Tutcher and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

Thinking out-of-this-world were guests including party host Space Center Houston board member Pat Cunningham, Melissa and Michael Mithoff, Rose Cullen, Clayton and Shel Erikson, Denise and Philip Bahr, Bill King, Nancy and Lucian Morrison, Tina and Joe Pyne, Debbie and Vidal Martinez and Donna and Bob Bruni.