Congressman Smith Hosts San Antonio’s First Live Q&A with Astronauts Aboard ISS

Yesterday I hosted San Antonio’s first ever live television downlink with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) at the Alamo Heights High School. The 20-minute Earth-to-space call was conducted with students who are involved in SystemsGo, a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiative developed to promote engineering studies through research. The students took turns asking questions of U.S. Astronauts Mike Hopkins and Rick Mastracchio from the Destiny Lab aboard the ISS, where they conduct scientific experiments in the weightlessness of space.

I serve as the Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, which oversees programs at NASA. Additional information about the astronaut participants below:

Michael S. Hopkins (Colonel, U.S. Air Force), NASA Astronaut
Astronaut Mike Hopkins joined NASA in 2009. He is a Colonel in the United States Air Force, and serves in several capacities, including as a test pilot and as a special assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He completed Astronaut Candidate Training in November 2011. After graduating from high school, Colonel Hopkins studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois. He also and earned a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Stanford University. On September 25, 2013, Colonel Hopkins launched for the Space Station. He is expected to return to Earth in March 2014.

Rick Mastracchio, NASA Astronaut
Rick Mastracchio worked as an electrical engineer before he became an astronaut. He holds degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Science degree in Physical Science from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Astronaut Mastracchio began his NASA career as an engineer, before being selected for the 1996 Astronaut Candidate class. He is a veteran of three space shuttle missions, serving as a Mission Specialist. Prior to this mission, he spent nearly 40 days in space, and participated in six space walks. He arrived at the Space Station in November, and is currently serving as flight engineer aboard the Space Station.

Both men recently made the news for performing space walks to replace a broken pump module critical to the cooling system aboard the Space Station.