Published: Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 2:10 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 2:10 p.m.

Zipping around the Earth at 17,500 mph, former Dunnellon Middle School teacher Joe Acaba became the first DJ in space last Friday by hosting "The Joe Show" from the International Space Station.

In this file photo, quarantined Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba answers reporters questions from behind glass during a prelaunch press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel on Monday, May 14, 2012 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

BORN: Inglewood, Calif., in 1967.

EDUCATION: Esperanza High School, Anaheim, Calif., 1985; bachelor's degree, geology, University of California-Santa Barbara, 1990; master's degree, geology, University of Arizona, 1992.

EXPERIENCE: U.S. Marine Corps, Reserves; hydro-geologist in Los Angeles; Peace Corps; teacher, Melbourne High School, 1999; math and science teacher at Dunnellon Middle School, 2000 to 2004.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected as mission specialist by NASA in May 2004; completed training in 2006; two stints on International Space station, 2009 and 2012.

It wasn't just a quick sound bite to promote NASA. The astronaut actually spent two hours on "Third Rock Radio," an Internet rock station powered by NASA that can be heard at thirdrockradio.net.

After an announcer declared it was time for the first radio program from 250 miles up in space, the former math and science teacher sprung into action shortly after 4 p.m. Friday.

"Hello, I'm Joe Acaba ... your DJ on the International Space Station."

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Teacher hosts radio show in space