After 188 Days in Space, Four Spacewalks and a New Baby: Lecture by NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke

Media and the public may relive the most recent International Space Station mission with astronaut Mike Fincke, who returned to Earth in October 2004, during a 6 p.m. Jan. 12 presentation at Space Center Houston.

The free briefing in the Space Center Theater will include slides, a video presentation and a question-and-answer session. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the 580-seat theater fills, guests will be seated in an adjacent area and may watch the program on closed-circuit television.

During his six-month stay aboard the Station as the Expedition 9 NASA ISS Science Officer and Flight Engineer, Fincke led the American scientific research agenda, conducting experiments that will further human exploration of space. In addition to studies of the effects of weightlessness on the human body, Fincke conducted multiple experiments in the physical sciences. In total, he completed 24 experiments, exceeding the mission’s planned research agenda.

In addition to scientific research, Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and Fincke conducted four spacewalks to retrieve exterior research, perform maintenance work and prepare the Station for future vehicles. Two unmanned Russian Progress supply ships docked to the Station during their stay to deliver food and supplies.

During his flight, Fincke became the first U.S. astronaut to become a father while in space, celebrating the birth of his daughter Tarali Paulina a few months into his mission.

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