US Astronaut Dr. James Newman will be the speaker at a California Arts and Sciences Institute (CASI) live event on March 12, 3:30 pm at the Carmel Barnyard. Newman will relate his experience in NASA space travel and space walk and also delve into the future of space travel and space colonization. Dr. Michael Hogan, who led the design of the NASA Apollo heat shield, will lead the question and answer period.

Newman served as a NASA astronaut in space and in research functions. His technical assignments include: Astronaut Office Mission Support Branch where he was part of a team responsible for crew ingress/strap-in prior to launch and crew egress after landing; Mission Development Branch working on the Shuttle on-board laptop computers; Chief of the Computer Support Branch in the Astronaut Office, responsible for crew involvement in the development of computers on the Space Shuttle and Space Station.

Detailed to the Space Shuttle Program Office in March 1999 for a tour of duty, Newman served as the RMS Integration Manager responsible for the Orbiter robotic arm and the Space Vision System. He flew as a mission specialist on STS-51 (1993), STS-69 (1995), STS-88 (1998) and STS-109 (2002). A veteran of four space flights, Dr. Newman has logged over 43 days in space, including six spacewalks totaling 43 hours and 13 minutes.

Dr. Newman’s early work was adjunct professor in the Department of Space Physics and Astronomy at Rice University. That same year he came to work at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where his duties included responsibility for conducting flight crew and flight control team training for all mission phases in the areas of Orbiter propulsion, guidance, and control. He was working as a simulation supervisor when selected for the astronaut program. In that capacity, he was responsible for a team of instructors conducting flight controller training.

Complimentary wine and light refreshments will be served. CASI is a 501c3 public charity, whose mission is to inspire youth and provide information to the community. After the presentation, there is an opportunity to engage with Dr..Newman and other CASI mentors for students engaged in the CASI writing contest