NASA Hosts University Students to Discuss Future of Space Exploration

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Apr 18, 2019, 13:21 ET

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA is giving university students an opportunity to interact with agency leadership, including NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, as well as astronauts abroad the International Space Station, during a live event 2 p.m. EDT Monday, April 29, at the agency's headquarters in Washington.

The event, intended to inspire the next generation of STEM explorers skilled in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, will air live on NASA Television and the agency's website. It also will stream live on Facebook and Twitter. Viewers can submit questions during the event using the hashtag #askNASA.

Participants at NASA Headquarters include:

Administrator Bridenstine
Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier
Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen

In addition, students will be able to ask questions during a live Earth-to-space call with NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Nick Hague, currently serving as part of the Expedition 59 crew aboard the International Space Station.

As NASA plans a return of American astronauts to the Moon by 2024 and eventually going on to Mars, the agency is looking to the next generation of STEM explorers to help achieve its goals. Going forward to the Moon will create new economic opportunities, a sustainable exploration campaign, and a foundation to go on to Mars.

Media interested in attending the event should contact Katherine Brown at [email protected] or 202-358-1288 no later than noon, Thursday, April 25. Media interested in how local Space Grant Program colleges and universities are participating in the event should contact Colleen Fava at [email protected] or Susie Johnson at susiej@uidaho@edu.

The event is hosted by NASA's Office of STEM Engagement. Partners for the event include the Space Grant Consortium, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Students for the Exploration and Development of Space.

For more information about NASA STEM engagement, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/stem

and

https://twitter.com/nasaedu

SOURCE NASA