Public And Invitation-Only Events Planned

NASA is heading back to Austin for a week-long salute to space exploration featuring educational and interactive exhibits, inspiring speakers, astronaut appearances and legislative proclamations highlighting the International Space Station and the future. Space Week Texas is March 18-22 in Austin.

Johnson Space Center Director Ellen Ochoa and Commercial Crew Program Deputy Program Manager Kathryn Lueders will be attending several events throughout Space Week.

NASA will take over the Texas Capitol on March 19 for "Space Day at the Capitol." This year's theme is "Human Exploration: The Journey Continues." The day will include space exhibits from the International Space Station, Orion and the Commercial Crew Program. Visitors also may experience NASA's mobile space exhibit, "Driven to Explore," which includes a rare chance to touch an almost 4-billion-year-old moon rock.

Events for Space Day at the Capitol include:

• Free interactive NASA Driven to Explore trailer along Colorado Street.
• Hands-on presentations for registered students on the Capitol grounds.
• Space proclamations in the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.
• Prairie View A & M University Choir performance in the Capitol rotunda.
• Awards presentation for community partners.
• Autograph session with Astronaut Peggy Whitson at the Driven to Explore trailer.

 Other Space Week Texas activities, by invitation only, include educator professional development workshops held at the Brenham Heritage Museum and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders will connect with astronaut Chris Hadfield via Amateur Radio for International Space Station (ARISS) contact. NASA Orion Program presentations will also be given at Texas State University in San Marcos and the University of Texas at Austin, Cockrell School of Engineering. In addition, John Casper, special assistant for program integration for NASA's newest spacecraft, Orion, will be attending Space Week.

FMIL http://go.nasa.gov/WXV5l8, www.nasa.gov/home