Retired NASA astronaut to speak at UF about flying the space shuttle

March 6, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Mike Mullane, a retired NASA astronaut, will speak at 7:30 p.m. tonight, at the University of Florida.

Mullane’s speech, entitled “Flying the Space Shuttle,” will draw on his experiences as an astronaut and military pilot. The event, sponsored by the UF International Center (UFIC), is free and open to the public. It will be held in Room E-121 of the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Building.

Mullane was selected as a mission specialist in 1978 in the first group of space shuttle Astronauts. He completed three space missions and logged 356 hours in space aboard the Shuttles Discovery (STS-41D) and Atlantis (STS-27 & 36) before retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 1990. Mullane has been inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame and has received many awards, including the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit and the NASA Space Flight Medal.

Since his retirement from NASA, Mullane has written an award-winning children’s book, “Liftoff! An Astronaut’s Dream,” a popular space-fact book, “Do Your Ears Pop In Space?” and an autobiography entitled “Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut.” Mullane has served as a host for “Inside Space,” a nationally syndicated cable television program of the USA Network.

The mission of the International Center is to enhance the educational environment and experience of UF’s students, faculty, and staff by promoting a global perspective. Through its International Speakers Program, the UFIC encourages discussion and debate regarding international issues on campus and in the community.

Past speakers include former U.S. ambassador the United Nations Nancy Soderberg, John Prendergast of the International Crisis Group, former CIA analyst Ray McGovern, Ambassador Joseph Wilson, David Ballard, Director of the Office of Foreign Press for the U.S. State Department, and senior military correspondent for Knight Ridder Newspapers, Joe Galloway.