Astronaut Appearances

NASA selects astronauts from a diverse pool of applicants with a wide variety of backgrounds, from scientists to pilots. From the thousands of applications received, only a few are chosen to be a member of the elite NASA Astronaut Corps. Each day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, visitors get the rare opportunity to meet a veteran NASA astronaut.

Meet the Astronaut of the Day at any of the following opportunities.  See the Daily Schedule for the times for each when you arrive.

• The daily Astronaut Encounter briefings allow time for a presentation from the astronaut and a question-and-answer session, so be prepared to ask him or her what you have always wanted to know.
• Visitors can also get an astronaut’s autograph at The Space Shop and Shuttle Express at various times during the day.
• During the all-new Chat With An Astronaut, enjoy a sampling of food and beverages while having a group conversation with the Astronaut of the Day about what it is really like to live and work in space. This new add-on enhancement requires daily admission.

Astronaut Bio:

Sherwood “Woody” Spring received a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering from the United States Military Academy in 1967. After graduation, Spring served two tours of duty in Vietnam. The first was from 1968 to 1969 with the 101st Airborne Division. The second tour, 1970-1971, came immediately after flight school and was served as a helicopter pilot with the 1st Cavalry Division. He then earned a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Arizona in 1974 and graduated from the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School in 1976.

Mr. Spring was selected as an astronaut in May 1980. Spring served as a mission specialist on STS-61B in 1985 when he was responsible for launching three communications satellites and performed two extravehicular activities (EVAs). The EVAs, totaling more than 12 hours, investigated space station construction techniques, large structure manipulation while on the end of the remote arm and a time and motion study for comparison between Earth training and space performance. With the completion of STS-61B he logged a total of 165 hours in space.

He was on the Tiger Team for the Challenger accident, which occurred six weeks after his own flight. Following the Challenger accident, Mr. Spring was selected to lead the Army’s Space Program Office. He attended the Defense Systems Acquisition Management Program, and then managed a classified program that brings National Satellite based intelligence directly to the battlefield.

Spring retired from NASA in August 1988, earning many awards and medals throughout his career. He is currently a professor of Engineering, Test and Evaluation, plus Science and Technology Management at the Defense Acquisition University San Diego Campus.