NASA Astronauts to Speak at OMSI March 28th

Ever wonder what it's like in outer space? Or how hard it is to train to become an astronaut? And just how does a person eat in zero gravity?

Photo courtesy: NASA

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry welcomes astronauts Mark L. Polansky and Robert L. Curbeam, Jr. to a special speaking engagement in OMSI's auditorium Wednesday, March 28th at 10:00 AM.

With a combined total of 1,829 hours in space, Astronauts Polansky and Curbeam will discuss their space travel experiences and answer questions from the audience.

"We are pleased that the Rotary Club of Portland is bringing astronauts Polansky and Curbeam to OMSI and to Portland," said Mindy Clark, OMSI Senior Vice President for Organizational Advancement. "This is a unique and exciting opportunity for OMSI visitors to meet and speak to real life astronauts about space travel and what it takes to become an astronaut."

Polansky joined NASA in August 1992 as an aerospace engineer and research pilot. He was assigned to the Aircraft Operations Division of the Johnson Space Center.

His primary responsibilities involved teaching the astronaut pilots Space Shuttle landing techniques in the Shuttle Trainer Aircraft and instructing astronaut pilots and mission specialists in the T-38 aircraft. Polansky also conducted flight-testing of the NASA T-38 avionics upgrade aircraft. Polansky has logged over 618 hours in space.

Selected by NASA in December 1994, Curbeam reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995.

After completing a year of training and evaluation, he was assigned to the Computer Support Branch in the Astronaut Office. He is a veteran of two space flights, STS-85 in 1997 and STS-98 in 2001, and has logged over 593 hours in space, including over 19 extravehicular activity hours during three spacewalks.

This ticketed event is free with OMSI admission. Free tickets may be picked up in advance at OMSI's front desk or ordered online at omsi.edu. OMSI's auditorium seating is limited.