STENNIS SPACE CENTER — Four of the eight astronauts that were on the Space Shuttle Endeavour during its March trip to the International Space Station visited Stennis Space Center on Wednesday.
Commander Dominic Gorie, Pilot Gregory Johnson, Mission Specialist Robert Behnken, and Mission Specialist Michael Foreman brought photo slides and a video of their experience to share with the Stennis staff.
Breathtaking photos of the earth, sunrises and sunsets, auroras, the space shuttle and the space station filled the screen behind the astronauts as they told of their experiences.
“We orbited over the United States at night most of the time, but we saw so many other beautiful places,” Gorie said as he spoke about a mountain photo taken over Patagonia, Chile. “There was just a vast array of colors, from the white of the mountains to the blue of the oceans and lakes and the greens of the forests.”
“The launch lit up the whole Florida coast. There was a low overhead, so it turned the day into night. It was amazing,” Johnson said about a photo taken just after liftoff.
About the sunrises and sunsets the crew saw, Gorie said, “They’re breathtaking, but they only last about ten seconds each. You see one about every 45 minutes.”
The crew thanked the staff for their work testing the main engine on the shuttle.
“We have a gratitude for what the people of Stennis Space Center do, and what they have accomplished, especially with the challenges they have faced since Hurricane Katrina. They’re building world class hardware, and do a great job. We fly with confidence,” Gorie said. “From a main engine perspective, the trip was flawless.”
This was the fourth mission for Gorie, who also went to the Russian space station Mir when it was still in use. He said the visit to Mir was an experience in itself.
“Mir was a wonderful experience. There was junk packed everywhere. It was kind of like living in a mobile home for 13 years and not throwing anything out the whole time. There was clutter everywhere. It’s nice that Mir was replaced by the International Space Station,” Gorie said.
Gorie said called the time spent living and working on the shuttle a challenge, saying the group tried to eat their meals together and spend time together.
Gorie says in all of his missions, probably the tensest time is during the actual launch.
“It’s the most dynamic part. When you have that much machinery and power and that many RPM’s of turbo power, it’s very tense. It’s the highest risk part of the mission, but it’s also the most exciting,” Gorie said.
Local News
Four astronauts speak at Stennis
- Local News
-
-
SAFETY DAY
Picayune Police officers made a visit to the First Baptist Church of Picayune’s preschool class for their Community Helpers Safety Day. During the event the kids got to meet police officers and trigger lights and sirens in patrol vehicles.
- Escapee caught in county Pearl River County Sheriff’s deputies have captured the inmate who escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody on Friday after attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
- Council discusses which funds to spend first On the same day as the ground breaking for the addition to the historic City Hall, city council members discussed which funds to spend first in its construction.
-
Poplarville aldermen honor Holliday, get audit report briefing
The city board of aldermen honored former District Three Supervisor Hudson Holliday at its Tuesday night meeting.
Mayor Billy Spiers presented Holliday with a framed resolution of appreciation for his dedication and service to the city while serving as county supervisor.
-
MRI INSTALLED
This $1.2 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment was installed at the new location of Highland Community Hospital.
-
Hall suspected of robbery after escaping
A man who escaped from jail after attending his father’s wake is suspected of having carried out an armed robbery on the Texas-Arkansas state line. Johnny Hall escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody on Friday while attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
-
City Hall expansion groundbreaking held
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday at the construction site for the expansion of the historic Picayune City Hall. “You can see our future when you look down Goodyear Boulevard. You see Chimney Square, our high school, The Link at First Baptist Church, Jack Read Park and then our historic City Hall.
-
PRC athletic director says he’ll recommend random drug testing
Pearl River Central athletic director Andy Kivlan told the school board at its Monday night meeting that he will most likely recommend that students participating in extracurricular activities, including band and ROTC, be subject to random drug screening.
-
Supervisors adopt resolution encouraging more economic development in South Miss.
Following a short presentation by State Sen. Tony Smith (R-Picayune), the board of supervisors adopted on Monday a resolution encouraging state officials and agencies to exercise “fairness and parity” regarding location of new industries in Mississippi.
-
MDEQ wants comprehensive waste disposal plan from county
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has told Pearl River County it wants a comprehensive waste disposal plan for the county. Supervisors indicated at their Monday meeting that they are not happy with the request.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
