NASA Astronauts to Visit Vietnam for Space Week

Lam Nguyen Hai Long (middle), chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association, shared information with the press about the organization of Vietnam Space Week on the afternoon of May 29. Photo: L.H

Vietnam is the first country in Southeast Asia selected by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for this event. Visitors to this week will have the opportunity to interact with former NASA astronauts and explore space, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

At the press conference on the afternoon of May 29, the representative of the organizing committee, Lam Nguyen Hai Long, chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association (HCA), said that Vietnam Space Week aims to inspire the young generation by the story of astronauts in their working and living environment in space.

The event is also intended to help the public learn more about NASA’s scientific advances. It is conveyed through shared stories from scientists about research aimed at protecting the earth, reducing environmental pollution, and warning the risk of collisions with other planets and extraterrestrial life.

Through the sharing, the organizers want to inspire and promote the passion for scientific research and explore the world to young people and teenagers, contributing to career orientation, and promoting creative thinking for students through STEM educational activities.

Two NASA astronauts will meet with 3,000 students in the central province of Binh Dinh to talk about life in space.

US astronauts Michael A. Baker and Josef F. Schmid will visit the Binh Dinh Center for Science Exploration and Innovation on June 8 and June 9 as part of Vietnam NASA Space Week.

Michael A. Baker served as the astronaut support team leader at Kennedy Space Center for the space shuttles STS-44, STS-42, and STS-45.

US astronaut Michael A. Baker. Photo: NASA

He spent 965 hours in space, being the pilot of the space shuttle STS-43 from August 2 to 11, 1991 and the space shuttle STS-52 from October 22 to November 1, 1992. He was the commander aboard the space shuttle STS-68 from September 30 to October 11, 1994, and the space shuttle STS-81 from January 12 to 22, 1997.

Dr. Josefs Schmid is a NASA surgeon and family physician (now retired) at Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. He used to be a senior inspector for the US Federal Aviation Administration. His patients are astronauts and members of their families, retired engineers, and astronauts, including those from the Gemini and Apollo programs.

Besides exchanging and discussing with astronauts, Vietnam Space Week promises to have interesting experiential activities such as exploring the night sky, experiencing virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) technology, watch the drone show, light show – Hologram Tube of Astronaut.

The press conference announcing the organization of the Vietnam Space Week event. Photo: Organizer of the event

“This is the first time this program has been implemented in a country in Southeast Asia. We look forward to maintaining this event every year and hope NASA continues to choose Vietnam as a destination, raising the event to a regional level,” said Lam Nguyen Hai Long.

On behalf of Hau Giang province, one of the localities hosting Vietnam Space Week, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Ho Thu Anh shared about the significance of the event.

She expects the event to have a positive impact on the young generation in general, especially students and communities in the Mekong Delta on the mission to protect the earth, avoid environmental pollution, and warn of the risk of collision with other planets.

Space Week was implemented in Scotland in the early 2000s, introduced by Hyang Lloyd, a former NASA employee who founded the annual Space Week. The event focuses on raising awareness among young people about the opportunities available to them if they choose to pursue a career in STEM.

This is also an annual event to highlight NASA’s achievements and contributions to space exploration, scientific research, and technology development with a series of activities organized by NASA and its partners.

Rosie Nguyen

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