Astronaut Buzz Aldrin to speak at Purdue
October 7, 2013
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Buzz Aldrin, the astronaut who walked on the moon with the late Neil Armstrong, will speak at Purdue University on Oct. 16.
Aldrin will discuss his new book, "Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration." He also will sign copies of the book.
The presentation, "Buzz Aldrin's Unified Space Vision," will begin at 7 p.m. in the Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom. Doors open at 6:40 p.m. with first-come limited seating. The event is free and open to the public.
Aldrin will sign the book beginning at 8:15 p.m. in Union Room 118. Books will be available for purchase for $26 plus tax. Aldrin will not sign any items other than "Mission to Mars."
In the book, Aldrin advocates for a continuing quest to push the boundaries of the universe. He lays out a plan for taking humans to Mars by 2035.
Aldrin, 83, was born in Montclair, N.J. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned a doctorate from MIT.
He was in the third group of astronauts selected by NASA, joining the space program in 1963. In 1966 he set a new spacewalk record of 5-1/2 hours. And on July 20, 1969, he set foot on the moon, spending 21 hours on the lunar surface with Purdue alumnus Armstrong.
Aldrin is the author of eight books, including a best-selling autobiography and children's books.
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Source: Kim Yoder, University Development Office associate director of special events, 765-494-0576, keyoder@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Media interested in covering Aldrin's talk should contact Judith Barra Austin, Purdue News Service, at 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
