"Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace and Second Chances"

Astronaut Leland Melvin will present the 2021 Luchinsky Lecture, a free public event for all Penn State students. Melvin is an engineer, educator, former NASA astronaut and former NFL wide receiver. He served on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis as a mission specialist on mission STS-122 (2008) and STS-129 (2009), helping to construct the International Space Station. He also led NASA Education and co-chaired the White House’s Federal Coordination in STEM Education Task Force, developing the nation’s five-year STEM education plan. After 24 years with NASA as a researcher, astronaut and Senior Executive Service leader, he now shares his life story as an athlete, astronaut, scientist, engineer, photographer and musician to help inspire the next generation of explorers to pursue science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) careers. The free event does require registration: https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__DBBWuDIQF-fIIMGib71Dw