NASA Astronauts Bring Wonder of International Space Station to the Bay Area

Ever wonder what it's like to be an astronaut and to live and work in space? Find out directly from NASA astronauts who will be in the Bay Area the week ofFeb. 17as NASA shares the accomplishments, promise and opportunities for research aboard the International Space Station.

Space station veteran astronautsDoug WheelockandReid Wisemanand former NASA astronaut and station residentDan Burschwill share their stories and be available for media during the week. Space station scientistsKirt CostelloandCamille Alleyne, spacesuit systems engineerMarlon Coxand Center for Advancement of Science in Space's (CASIS) director of business developmentCynthia Bouthotalso will participate.

Wheelock lived and worked off the Earth, for the Earth aboard the station for 163 days in 2010, supporting more than 120 microgravity experiments in human research, biology and biotechnology, physical and materials sciences, technology development and Earth and space sciences. Wheelock was the lead spacewalker for three unplanned spacewalks to fix the station's cooling system. Wiseman returned from a six-month stay on the station in November, gaining notoriety for sharing his experience through social media, including the first Vine video post from space. Bursch lived and worked on the station for 196 days in 2001, conducting two spacewalks and enhancing the station's research capabilities.

NASA's Ames Research Center, at the Bay Area'sMoffett Field, makes local contributions to the International Space Station Program that will be highlighted at several Destination Station events. Ames' expertise fuels research in molecular, cell and model organism science, and affordable payload development. The center provides unique ground research facilities, advanced research concepts and hardware, and state-of-the-art development of technologies such as the free-flying SPHERES interior satellites.

OnFeb. 14and 15, NASA will participate in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Family Science Days. Bursch will speak at1 p.m.Feb. 15, and CASIS will participate from11 a.m. to 5 p.m. PSTboth days.

OnFeb. 17, Kaiser Permanente will host a Microgravity Industry Day to share the importance of space station research including presentations by NASA, CASIS and its staff. Guests will have the opportunity to touch a 4-billion-year-old moon rock inside the "Driven to Explore" mobile exhibit from9 a.m. to 2 p.m.This event is not open to the public. Media planning to attend should contact Amanda Wardell at 510-267-7364 for access.

OnFeb. 18, Wheelock, CASIS, Costello andStanford Universityscientists will discuss station research opportunities from9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.at the university's Oberndorf Event Center.

OnFeb. 19, visitors to the Children's Creativity Museum inSan Franciscowill have the opportunity to learn about spacesuit design from Cox, who has been developing NASA spacesuits for nearly a decade. Cox will make hourly presentations for all ages and the museum will host space-themed activities from10 a.m. to 2 p.m.The Children's Creativity Museum is a hands-on multimedia arts and technology experience for children. Visitwww.creativity.orgfor more details.

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NASA Astronauts Bring Wonder of International Space Station to the Bay Area