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Astronaut Appearance

Meet Astronaut Heide Piper

Universe Theater

SunSundayMarch 16
MonMondayMarch 17
TueTuesdayMarch 18
WedWednesdayMarch 19
ThuThursdayMarch 20
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Heide Piper headshot
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Get the rare opportunity to meet a veteran NASA astronaut every day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Meet the Astronaut of the Day at any of the following opportunities:  

  • Astronaut Encounter – During these presentations, hear from the Astronaut of the Day about his or her unique experience living and working in space. Have your questions ready after the presentation. Astronaut Encounter is included with admission. 
  • Chat With An Astronaut – Enjoy a sampling of food and beverages while having a small-group conversation with the Astronaut of the Day about what it is really like to live and work in space. Chat With An Astronaut can be purchased in addition to admission. 
  • Autograph signings – get the astronaut’s autograph at The Space Shop and Shuttle Express at various times during the day. 

 See the Daily Schedule for the times for each when you arrive.

Learn more about this Astronaut of the Day below.

Heide Piper headshot

Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper

Captain Heide Piper is a space shuttle era mission specialist who has logged over 27 days in space and completed five space walks totaling over 33 hours.

Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, Captain Heide Piper earned her Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, working at various ship repair facilities and on maintenance staff as an Engineering Duty Officer, Navy Diving, and Salvage Officer.

After being selected by NASA to become an astronaut, Captain Piper flew on two space shuttle missions: STS-115 Atlantis in September 2006 and STS-126 Endeavour in November 2008. During these missions, she logged over 27 days and 15 hours in space and completed five spacewalks, totaling 33 hours and 42 minutes of Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) time.

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