For Immediate Release: October 2, 2009
DBEDT Release News 09-27

HONOLULU—The State of Hawai‘i will join over 60 nations worldwide in celebrating humankind's exploration of the Cosmos during World Space Week, October 4-10, 2009.

Astronauts Brian Duffy, John Herrington and Yvonne Cagle will discuss the promise and prospects for future space exploration and discovery at public presentations throughout the week. They will be joined by Andrew Chaikin, an internationally renowned space author who wrote "A Man on the Moon" on which Tom Hanks' Emmy-winning HBO miniseries, "From the Earth to the Moon," was based.

Established by the United Nations in 1999, World Space Week underscores the multiple contributions space science and technologies have made over the past half-century to improve the human condition.

Hawai‘i's Space Week celebration (Aerospace in Hawai‘i Week) will include a series of public events statewide highlighting the State's past achievements, current activities and future potential in both aviation and space exploration - featuring:

• speaker and documentary presentations,
• exhibits and field demonstrations focused on astronomy,
• space-based observation of planet Earth,
• next-generation aviation,
• commercial space development,
• exploration of the Moon, Mars and other solar system bodies, and
• access to space.

As the global theme for World Space Week 2009 is "Space for Education," special emphasis will be given to programs that underscore opportunities to enhance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education through aerospace - including teacher training programs to enrich classroom instruction in both aviation and space science.

"We are very excited about the opportunities to continue focusing on STEM education during this week-long program," said Theodore E. Liu, Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. "We encourage educators, parents and students to take advantage of the unique aerospace presentations to be offered throughout the week."

Lt. Governor James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr. will inaugurate Aerospace in Hawai‘i Week with a proclamation ceremony at the State Capitol on Friday, October 2 (2:00 p.m. at the Executive Chambers, 5th Floor).

"Hawai‘i has built a solid reputation for astronaut training in our islands, world-class observatories atop our volcanic peaks, international collaboration through the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) on the Big Island, and outstanding programs in aerospace engineering and planetary geosciences at the University of Hawai‘i," Lt. Governor Aiona said. "Aerospace in Hawai‘i Week will showcase our ability to advance the aerospace industry and create jobs in Hawai‘i."

Brian Duffy was selected by NASA in June 1985. He is a veteran of four space flights and has logged a total of 40+ days in space. Duffy was the pilot on STS-45 Atlantis (March 24 to April 2, 1992), the first of the ATLAS series of missions to address the atmosphere and its interaction with the Sun. He also was the pilot on STS-57 Endeavour (June 21 to July 1, 1993), commanded a six-man crew on STS-72 Endeavour (January 11-20, 1996). Most recently, Duffy commanded a crew of seven on STS-92 Discovery (October 11-24, 2000).

John Herrington was selected by NASA in April 1996 and logged 330 hours in space on STS-113 Endeavour (November 23-December 7, 2002) where he performed three EVAs totaling 19 hours and 55 minutes and brought home the Expedition-Five crew from their 6-month stay aboard the Space Station. Astronaut Herrington retired from the Navy and NASA in July 2005 and currently works for Rocketplane Limited.

Yvonne Cagle was selected by NASA in April 1996, completed two years of training and evaluation, and is qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist. Initially assigned to the Astronaut Office Operations Planning Branch, supporting Shuttle and Space Station, followed by a special assignment to NASA's Ames Research Center. Dr. Cagle is currently assigned as the lead ARC Astronaut Science Liaison and Strategic Relationships Manager for Google and other Silicon Valley Programmatic Partnerships.

Andrew Chaikin spent eight years writing and researching A Man on the Moon, including over 150 hours of personal interviews with 23 of the 24 lunar astronauts (Apollo 13's Jack Swigert was already deceased). Apollo moonwalker Gene Cernan said of the book, "I've been there. Chaikin took me back." A new edition of the book, with a new afterword for the 50th anniversary of the space age, was published by Penguin in 2007. Chaikin's newest books, co-written with Victoria Kohl, are Voices from the Moon (Viking Studio) featuring excerpts from his conversations with Apollo astronauts, and Mission Control, This is Apollo (Viking Children's) a book for young readers illustrated with paintings by Apollo moonwalker Alan Bean. Both were published in May 2009.

For additional information, contact the Hawai‘i Office of Aerospace Development at (808) 586-2388 or via email at jcrisafu@dbedt.hawaii.gov.

For more information, contact:
Dave Young, DBEDT Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov