February 24, 2000

Doug Peterson
Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
(281) 483-5111

Release: J00-13

NASA Astronaut Lands in San Antonio

Astronaut Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar, a five time space traveler, visits San Antonio this Friday and Saturday, February 25 and 26, to visit two schools and speak at two evening events. Dunbar will describe her experiences in space and space-related education programs.

Dunbar touches down on Friday at the Krueger Middle School’s Applied Technology School at 1:00 p.m. to talk to sixth and seventh grade students about her early experiences as a student and as an astronaut. Krueger Middle School is at 438 Lanark Drive.

At about 2:00 p.m. Friday, she will speak to students at Roosevelt High School’s Design and Technology Academy at 5110 Walgreen Road. Molly Pruitt, at 210-655-4769, is the event contact for both school events.

Friday evening Dunbar will provide the keynote address at the San Antonio Women’s Chamber of Commerce leadership training series at 6:00 p.m. The event will be at the Plaza Club in the Frost National Bank at 100 W. Houston. The event contact is Mary Jane Verette at 210-220-4823.

Saturday evening Astronaut Dunbar will be the featured speaker at the North East Educational Foundation’s Annual Gala at the Adam’s Mark Hotel at 111 Pecan Street East. Dunbar will speak during the program that begins at 8:30 p.m. The contact is Ms. Molly Pruitt at 210-655-4769.

Astronaut Dunbar will speak about the new Texas Aerospace Scholars Program undertaken by NASA and the Texas state government. The program will help high school students across Texas to study science and engineering issues related to space exploration and to visit Johnson Space Center (JSC) for a week in the summer for design engineering projects with NASA engineers. -MORE- -2-

A highly honored astronaut, Dr. Dunbar has logged over 1,208 hours in space, as a mission specialist in 1985, 1990, and 1995, and as payload commander in 1992 and 1998. Dunbar is an accomplished private pilot.

Currently, Dr. Dunbar serves as Assistant Director for University Research and Affairs at NASA’s JSC. In this position she is the focal point for JSC’s educational programs, grant programs, and collaborative efforts with colleges, universities, scientific, and engineering organizations.

Astronaut Dunbar is willing to do interviews before or after the events depending on schedule constraints. Please phone the contacts identified above to make arrangements.

text-only version of this release