October 17, 2006

Former Astronaut and Space Historian to Speak at Aerospace Day at Troy University

DOTHAN - Former NASA Astronaut Jim Voss and best-selling author Jim Hansen will serve as keynote speakers during Aerospace Day 2006 at Troy University. The free event, which is sponsored by the Wiregrass Math and Science Consortium, gets under way at 8:30 a.m. November 17 on the Dothan Campus.

Aerospace Day is designed to inspire teachers to ignite the imaginations of their students, according to Sandy Armstrong, co-director of the Wiregrass Math and Science Consortium. Area educators, members of the public and space enthusiasts are invited to attend.

“They can expect to get new information about Neil Armstrong from our author, Jim Hansen,” Armstrong said. “They can also expect to get first-hand experiences about being in space from Jim Voss.”

Hansen is the author of “First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong,” an international best seller published in 2005 by Simon & Schuster. The noted historian spent 52 hours interviewing Armstrong for the biography. Hansen’s research also included gathering accounts from more than 100 others in the Space program.

During Voss’ career with NASA, he successfully completed five space flights and four space walks. He also lived aboard the International Space Station, spending a total of 201 days in Space.

“I look forward to speaking to the teachers,” Voss said. “I hope we will be able to provide them with information that can help them inspire the next generation of Space explorers.”

The Opelika native attributes his success, in part, to several teachers who encouraged him to learn and to dream big.

“People can do just about anything they set their mind to,” Voss reflected. “There is nothing out of reach to the children of Alabama.”

According to Armstrong, the next generation will not have to leave the Wiregrass to make contributions in Space. The burgeoning aerospace industry contributes an estimated 920 million dollars a year to Southeast Alabama’s economy.

The Wiregrass Math and Science Consortium is funded by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education through Troy University. The deadline to register for Aerospace Day is November 13. For more information, contact the Consortium at (334) 983-6556, ext. 1-371.

Photo courtesy of NASA

As part of Aerospace Day at Troy University, former NASA Astronaut Jim Voss will share his experiences in Space with Alabama teachers and Space enthusiasts.