CMA Presents "The Human Side of the Human Side of Spaceflight"

Human spaceflight, beyond the technology and engineering, is a profoundly human experience, full of emotion, excitement, and drama. Participating in this incredible adventure is a life-changing event, given the challenges and rigors of training, developing crew teamwork to the highest possible levels, the excitement and anxious energy before launch, experiencing the sensations and physiological effects of weightlessness, revelling in the sublime joy of seeing planet Earth from space, and finally returning home to loved ones and friends. With a stunning multimedia presentation, astronaut and Space Shuttle mission commander Rick Searfoss will take us on a fascinating "Mach 25" journey of human discovery on the space frontier.

Richard Searfoss received a BS degree in aeronautical engineering from the USAF Academy in 1978, and an MS degree in aeronautics from Caltech in 1979. He graduated in 1980 from the Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. In 1988, he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Maryland. He was a flight instructor at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, California, when he was selected for the astronaut program in 1990.

Searfoss has logged over 5,500 hours of flying time in 60 different types of aircraft. A veteran of three space flights, Searfoss has also logged over 39 days in space. He served as pilot on STS-58 (1993) and STS-76 (1996) and was the mission commander on STS-90 (1998) before retiring from NASA. Searfoss has been honored with numerous awards, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross.

This event is free. All JPL/Campus personnel and retirees are welcome.