Will Meet With Elected officials About The Importance Of The State To The Deep Space Efforts

Officials from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, will travel to Montgomery, Alabama, March 2 to spread the word about the importance of the state's role in NASA's Journey to Mars and to inspire the next generations of engineers, scientists and explorers during the Aerospace States Association's Alabama Aerospace Week.

Marshall leaders will meet with elected officials, and NASA will be honored by the Alabama Legislature with resolutions and proclamations recognizing the agency's achievements. NASA team members will also visit several area schools and nonprofit organizations to engage in activities with students in STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The schedule includes the following events:

• 11 a.m.: Marshall Center Director Todd May and NASA astronaut Don Pettit, veteran of three spaceflights, will be available to media in the Joint Press Briefing Room on the third floor of the State House.
• 11:30 a.m.: Pettit will present highlights from Expedition 30/31, his most recent stay aboard the International Space Station, in the Alabama State Capitol Auditorium, which is located on the ground floor near the Union Street entrance.
• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Interactive exhibits outside the State House on Washington Street will feature NASA's Space Launch System and Orion inflatables, a real RS-25 rocket engine.

Alabama Aerospace Week recognizes the significant contributions the aerospace industry makes to Alabama's economy and its citizens.

(Source: NASA news release)

FMI: www.nasa.gov/marshall