Astronaut Scott Kelly Discusses His Year in Space at Smithsonian Associates Event

Smithsonian Associates in collaboration with Politics and Prose Bookstore presents an exclusive interview with Scott Kelly, Friday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. N.W. In conversation with NPR science correspondent Joe Palca, Kelly will discuss his year aboard the International Space Station, reflect on his life on and off the planet and explain why he believes that Mars will be the next step in American spaceflight.

The veteran of four space flights and the American record holder for consecutive days spent in space, Kelly has experienced things very few have. He knows what it feels like to be launched in a rocket, what happens to the human body in zero gravity and what it is like to get a toothache 250 miles above Earth.

Kelly will describe navigating the extreme challenges of long-term spaceflight, both existential and banal: the devastating effects on the body; the pressures of constant close cohabitation; the catastrophic risks of depressurization or colliding with space junk; and the threat of being unable to help should tragedy strike at home—an agonizing situation Kelly faced during another mission when his twin brother’s wife, Gabrielle Giffords, was shot while he still had two months left in space. He will also talk about his rough-and-tumble New Jersey childhood and what sparked his astounding career, which changed his trajectory from an unfocused, below-average student to a record-setting astronaut.

Tickets for the Smithsonian Associates’ presentation are $35 for general admission, $45 with a pre-signed copy of Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery (Knopf) and $25 for Smithsonian Associates’ members, $45 with a pre-signed book. For tickets and information, the public may call (202) 633-3030 or visit www.smithsonianassociates.org.

About Smithsonian Associates

Smithsonian Associates—the largest museum-based education program in the world—produces vibrant educational and cultural programming inspired by the Smithsonian’s research, collections and exhibitions. Each year more than 750 individual programs are presented to spark creativity and excite learning in people of all ages in the Washington, D.C., area and across the country. Smithsonian Associates brings the Smithsonian to life through seminars, performances, lectures, studio arts classes and local and regional study tours, as well as many engaging programs for children, including performances and summer day camps.

About Politics and Prose

Founded in 1984 in Washington, D.C., Politics and Prose today stocks tens of thousands of books ranging from beloved classics to backlist titles, including bestsellers as wells as works by talented emerging authors. The company hosts more than 500 events a year at its flagship store on Connecticut Avenue N.W., its new bookstore at The Wharf and at a variety of venues around the metropolitan area. It also offers literary classes, trips, children’s activities, self-publishing services and much more. For more information, visit www.politics-prose.com.

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