NASA Astronauts Bring Wonder of International Space Station to Indianapolis

Ever wonder what it’s like to be an astronaut and to live and work in space? Find out directly from NASA astronauts who will be in the Indianapolis area fromApril 24 to May 2 as the agency shares the accomplishments, promise and opportunities for research aboard the International Space Station.

NASA astronauts Anna Fisher, Serena Aunon and Scott Tingle will deliver presentations during the week. All include media availabilities.

In addition, the agency’s newest exhibit, Destination Station, a multimedia exhibit showcasing what it’s like to live aboard the International Space Station, is open to the public through June 29 at the Indiana State Museum.

NASA engineer on the Z-2 spacesuit and Purdue University graduate Ian Meginnis and NASA photographerMark Sowa will host a discussion from 6-8 p.m. on April 24 at the Museum of Art in Indianapolis. They will discuss NASA’s wearable technology and photography in support of the space station.

On April 26, as visitors learn more about our home planet at Earth Day Indiana, they also will have the opportunity to experience one of only eight moon rocks in the world that visitors can touch. Located at the White River State Park, NASA’s Driven to Explore mobile exhibit will be at Earth Day Indiana from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Earth Day festivities are conveniently located near the Indiana State Museum so visitors can also take a look at the Destination Station exhibit.

Join Aunon, a medical doctor and member of the 2009 astronaut class, as she discusses “Staying Healthy and Fit in Space.” Her presentation is from noon-2 p.m. April 26 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Exposition Hall for the WTHR Health and Fitness Expo. Aunon also will teach visitors how to “Train Like an Astronaut” at the Expo the following day, April 27. Various events will begin at 11 a.m.

There will be a live, interactive television event with crew members now in space aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday, April 29, at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. During the activities, which begin at 9 a.m., attendees may ask Expedition 39 flight engineers Rick Mastracchio, Steve Swanson andKoichi Wakata about the progress of their mission.

At 11 a.m. April 29, Aunon will participate in an Indianapolis Indians game at Victory Field. She will engage with the audience while showing video to promote human spaceflight and the benefits of the space station.

Aunon also will give a presentation for the public beginning at 5:30 p.m, April 29, at the Indiana State Museum. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session and an opportunity for astronaut autographs.

In conjunction with the NFL PLAY 60 campaign, NASA will be hosting an opportunity to “Train Like an Astronaut” with Tingle, also a member of the 2009 astronaut class, during the Indianapolis Colts training camp. This program uses the excitement of space exploration and astronaut training to challenge, inspire, and educate kids to set physical fitness goals and to practice proper nutrition. The activities are modeled after real-life training astronauts do to prepare for exploring space.

Fisher, who flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery as a Mission Specialist on STS-51A and logged 192 hours in space, will give a presentation and answer questions about her experiences at 6 p.m. April 30 at the Indiana Medical History Museum. She also is a medical doctor and currently works at NASA on the space station and Orion programs.

International Space Station Day will highlight the Destination Station exhibit and feature hands-on activities exploring the extreme temperatures in space, astronaut cuisine and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to touch the 4-billion-year-old moon rock inside the “Driven to Explore” mobile exhibit. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 at the Indiana State Museum.

Times (all EDT), dates, locations and media contact information for events:

For more about Destination Station, visit: 
http://www.nasa.gov/destinationstation

For more about the International Space Station, visit: 
http://www.nasa.gov/station