Renowned NASA astronaut visits Birr school

Renowned NASA astronaut, Steve Swanson, now retired, landed in Birr recently to give an insightful talk to Physics students from St Brendan’s Community School, as part of ‘Space Week’.

Dr Swanson, 63, spoke about his experiences and observations of life in orbit beyond our planetary bounds. He flew to the International Space Station on three occasions, and spent 195 days in space, including five space walks, totalling 28 hours and five minutes. His awards and honours include the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal and the JSC Certificate of Accommodation. He also served in other roles at NASA, such as a CAPCOM for both International Space Station and Space Shuttle missions. (CAPCOM is short for Capsule Communication. CAPCOM is the astronaut on Earth communicating with the crew members in their spacecraft). During his fascinating talk Dr Swanson shared his life story and his experiences of living aboard the International Space Station.

Upon his retirement in 2015, Chris Cassidy, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston spoke warmly about his colleague: “Steve Swanson, or Swanny as we know him, has contributed so much more to the human space program than just serving on his three missions. His infectious laugh, keen intellect and easy going personality have garnered the respect and friendship of everyone with whom he works. He also will be sorely missed on our Wednesday night basketball team!”