1998 Astronaut Scholar Annual Meeting
The May 1998 Astronaut Scholar Meeting was the third annual event of its kind. Over twenty current and past recipients of the Astronaut Scholarship attended, with an opportunity to meet approximately ten astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs.
The event was unforgettable for all involved. We started with a VIP tour of Kennedy Space Center, which included visits with engineers working on the International Space Station and on the new launch control system. In addition, scholars got "up close and personal" with a space shuttle on the launch pad and visited the new Apollo-Saturn V Center. Scholars also received a VIP tour of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. The next day was filled with meetings of the Astronaut Scholars Honor Society (ASHS), a chance for the scholars to get to know one another, and to discuss business and happenings important to scholars and the ASHS. That evening, Astronaut Scholars met with the astronauts in a panel-style question and answer session on the future of commercial ventures in space. The session was very interesting, and there was time to mingle afterwards. On Saturday, the Astronaut Scholars were invited to lunch with ASF members at Give Kids the World Village, where we witnessed a crazy race featuring astronaut and NASCAR drivers. The race was done to break ground for a race track which NASCAR built for the terminally-ill children who come to the Village to fulfill their wishes to visit Disney World.
Astronaut Scholars also had plenty of time to socialize with each other at a pool party/barbecue and at a Sunday brunch at the end of the weekend. They were treated to free tickets provided by the Walt Disney Company to be used during their free time.