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.

ABout Don Thomas:

• Born in Cleveland, Ohio 
• Holds a Bachelor Degree in Physics and Master and Doctorate Degrees in Materials Science 
• As an employee with Lockheed Engineering and Sciences, he reviewed materials used in space shuttle payloads. 
• Worked at JSC as a Materials Engineer, studying composite materials to be used for the Space Station. 
• Selected by NASA in 1990 
• Flew as a Mission Specialist on four flights: 
  • STS-65 in 1994 -  International Microgravity Laboratory 
  • STS-70 in 1995 - TDRS deploy 
  • STS-83 and STS-94 in 1997 - Microgravity Science Laboratory 
• Currently a professor of Physics at Towson University, where he directs an academy that encourages students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics — the STEM skills.