Capt. Mark Kelly Inspires Sarasota Audience
Capt. Mark Kelly Owning the Stage during the Ringling College Library Association’s Town Hall Lecture in Sarasota, March 11, 2013
U2′s “Beautiful Day” blasted on the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall stage in Sarasota, Fla., as a video montage of Capt. Mark Kelly’s life between January 2011 and today flashed on screen. He was in town as part of the Ringling College Library Association’s Town Hall Lecture Series and those of us backstage felt the energy and grooved to the music as the retired astronaut pumped himself up to prepare for his onstage lecture.
Read MoreTips for Planning a Day Trip to Kennedy Space Center
Go Inside a Simulated Space Shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center
“What are the must-see highlights at Kennedy Space Center?” my brother recently asked. We visited KSC as kids and now 30-plus years later he was planning a visit with his family this summer.
Although not intentional, their visit coincided with the Kennedy Space Center’s 50th anniversary (happening now!) and access to view space shuttle Atlantis during the Vehicle Assembly Building Tour, a KSC Up Close Tour.
My nephew will be a freshman in high school this year, my niece is a tween and both my brother and sister-in-law are engineers so the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Titusville, Florida, was a perfect vacation activity for a family who appreciates science and learning. In fact, they had something in common with an astronaut the day they visited. They work for the company that manufactured space shuttle windows and the astronaut thanked them for making nice windows with a view.
Read MoreWho Will You Meet at the Next Cocktail Reception? Maybe a Rocket Scientist.
Me and Bob Sieck, Punta Gorda, Fla., Dec. 9, 2011
Tonight was one of those nights I’m reminded I have a pretty groovy job. Because of my relationship with the Florida Outdoor Writers Association (FOWA; disclosure: I’m currently on the Board), I know someone who belongs to a sports car club which happened to be hosting its annual meeting in Punta Gorda, Fla., this weekend.
She invited to meet some of the club members before heading out to dinner. Little did I know I would meet Bob Sieck who spent 35 years with NASA in roles including that of Gemini Spacecraft Systems Engineer, Apollo Spacecraft Test Team Project Engineer, Space Shuttle Launch Director and Director of Shuttle Processing.
Read MoreVisiting Kennedy Space Center in a Post-Space Shuttle World
Space Shuttle Astronaut Scott Parazynski M.D., and Me Following Lunch with an Astronaut
“…once NASA goes away…”
People! NASA is NOT going away.
If I had a nickle for each time I’ve heard that in the last three months, I’d be about $7.35 richer. Okay,that doesn’t seem like a lot but that’s more than 145 times! There’s this misconception running amok that just because the space shuttle program has retired after a 30-year run it means the end of NASA. Not true, not true!
Retirement of the space shuttle program meant the closing of one chapter and beginning of another in space exploration. If you’ve kept up with my NASA Tweetup posts, you know this.
Read MoreWordless Wednesday: Florida’s Best Galactic Attraction, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Well, Hello There! Entrance of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Florida
As I gather my thoughts from last month’s visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Florida’s East Coast, enjoy these photos from the incredible day. Visiting is so inspiring and one day is not enough!
Don’t forget, now through the end of October, sit in Capt. Kirk’s chair (yes, the Star Trek Capt. Kirk) and see other Star Trek memorabilia. Details are in this link.
Enjoy!
About Me
My name is Jennifer Huber and I’m just your average forty-something-year-old gal living life solo. Learn More >> 
