The National Space Society Iowa Chapter is providing an opportunity to hear from and meet with former NASA astronaut Commander Susan Kilrain. This will be available to anyone via Zoom. At the in-person meeting she will also have copies of her new children’s book An Unlikely Astronaut available for purchase and signing.

Guest: Commander Susan Kilrain
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 2 at 5:00 pm CDT
In-Person Location: DMACC West Campus, 5959 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
Via Zoom: https://DMACC.zoom.us/j/95123855678

Commander Susan Kilrain is a renowned astronaut, a distinguished navy test pilot and aerospace engineer, and a world traveler. She is the youngest person, and one of only three women, to pilot the space shuttle. She served twenty years in the navy paving the way for women. She has flown more than 3,000 flight hours in more than thirty different aircraft, and she was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal. Commander Kilrain flew as pilot of STS-83 and STS-94, spending a total of more than twenty days in space. Her first mission was cut short due to a potentially life-threatening shuttle system failure.

An Unlikely Astronaut, a new 32-page children’s book, tells the true story of how Susan Kilrain overcame all obstacles to achieve her dream of flying in space after growing up in a time when, as a woman, it seemed nearly impossible. The youngest person and one of only three women to have ever piloted the space shuttle, her story of unwavering determination will encourage children to reach for the stars even if the odds are against them.