FEATURED Speaker

Sponsored by Gem Gravure Co Inc

Wednesday, May 10 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm | WAI Theater, show floor

Perspectives from a space traveler extraordinaire

Dr. Mary Ellen Weber, a NASA astronaut for 10 years, will share her experiences in her morning presentation. “To Boldly Go: The Experience of Spaceflight.”

Going into space—into orbit—requires mind-boggling speed with inconceivable risk and decision times of mere seconds. How does one prepare for this risk and responsibility? What is the awe-inspiring experience of weightlessness and viewing planet earth from hundreds of miles above really like? Drawing on 10 years as a NASA Astronaut and two Space Shuttle flights— including one to the International Space Station—Mary Ellen Weber will share behind-the-scenes anecdotes and video footage.

Weber was on Discovery for its launch on July 13, 1995, and on Atlantis for its launch on May 19, 2000. Now with Stellar Strategies, LLC, she consults for operations in high-stakes business ventures, technology communications and legislative strategy. She also is an active skydiver—with nearly 6,000 skydives, a world record, and multiple diving medals over the past 40+ years.