Former astronaut and engineering alumnus to speak at UF

November 6, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida’s department of mechanical and aerospace engineering will host a guest lecture by distinguished alumnus and retired NASA astronaut Col. Kevin Ford at 4 p.m. Thursday in the New Engineering Building, Room 100.

Ford will discuss his experiences flying the F-16 and the space shuttle, along with his stays at the International Space Station.

Ford earned his master’s degree in aerospace engineering at UF in 1994. Since then, he has logged more than 3,789 collective hours in space, and more than 4,000 flying hours. He holds Federal Aviation Administration commercial certificates for airplanes, helicopters and gliders, and is a certified flight instructor for airplanes and gliders.

Ford was selected to become a pilot by NASA and reported for training in August 2000. He soon was assigned technical work in the Astronaut Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Ford was the pilot on STS-128 to the International Space Station in 2009 and was launched to the International Space Station as an Expedition 33 flight engineer in October 2012. He became commander of Expedition 34 in November 2012.

Ford received an outstanding alumnus award in 2010 from UF’s department of mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Ford’s lecture is open to the public, and admission is free. Attendees will gain insight into what the life of an astronaut entails, as well as the experience and education that is necessary to accomplish a career in space exploration.