Astronaut, co-author to sign copies of book 'Spacewalker' on campus Thursday (Feb. 7)
February 4, 2013
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Astronaut alumnus Jerry Ross, the first person launched off the face of the Earth seven times - a world record that he now holds with one other person - on Thursday (Feb. 7) will sign copies of his autobiography, "Spacewalker: My Journey in Space and Faith as NASA's Record-Setting Frequent Flyer," with co-writer John Norberg.
The book signing will take place from noon to 2 p.m. in the Purdue Memorial Union's West Faculty Lounge. Copies of the book will be on sale at the event.
"Spacewalker" is the story of one man's endeavor to overcome setbacks and accomplish his dreams that began as a child in Crown Point, Ind., and took him through Purdue. It's a story that gives readers a vivid feeling of what it felt like to fly in space. It's also the story of the U.S. space program, along with concerns and hopes about its future.
The book, published by Purdue University Press, was launched on Thursday (Jan. 31) at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Events at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City on Jan. 31 and Friday (Feb. 1) followed.
The book is available through Purdue University Press, booksellers nationwide and online.
Ross wrote the book with Norberg, a Lafayette author. A video of the authors discussing "Spacewalker" is available at http://www.jerrylross.com
A display titled "Jerry L. Ross, An Astronaut's Journey" is currently on exhibit in the archives on the fourth floor of the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education Library in Stewart Center, running through Feb. 22. The exhibit features rare recently digitized Space Shuttle mission films recorded during launch preparation and in orbit, Ross's NASA flight suit, his checklist books, mission insignia patches, and detailed shuttle and International Space Station systems and payload handbooks used by mission specialists and support personnel over the course of the Shuttle program. An online exhibition is forthcoming.
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Source: Bryan Shaffer, Purdue University Press, 765-494-8428
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