Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

News

Space pioneer to share wisdom

First female to command space shuttle mission 
will speak at UH Wednesday

by GRANT MEHLHOFF
The Daily Cougar

Col. Eileen Collins, former NASA astronaut and the first woman to command a space shuttle mission, will speak Wednesday about leadership and her experiences in space.

Collins, selected to join the NASA program in 1990, became an astronaut in 1991. She recorded four space flights, logging more than 870 hours in space before retiring from active service in 2006. 

"She's a superb role model for young people," Col. Phil Bossert, UH Air Force ROTC commander, said. "Anyone interested in space or NASA should attend."

Collins broke several barriers during her career at NASA. In 1999, Collins became the first woman to command a space shuttle mission. She also became the first woman to pilot a space shuttle, flying Discovery in 1995.

"When I was a child, I dreamed about space," Collins said after being named shuttle commander in 1998. "It was only a dream that I would someday be (an astronaut). It is my hope that all children, boys and girls, will see this mission and be inspired to reach for their dreams, because dreams do come true."

Collins most recently commanded NASA's Return to Flight mission in 2005. It was the first space shuttle mission launched after the Columbia disaster in 2003.

Collins logged more than 6,000 hours in 30 different aircraft during her career as an astronaut, flight instructor and test pilot.

The speech will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday in Room 170, Melcher Hall. The event is sponsored jointly by the UH Army and Air Force ROTC programs. It is free to the public, but space is limited. Those interested in attending should call (713) 743-4932 by Friday.

Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu