Former NASA Astronaut Encourages Exploration
Peacemaker Staff & Library Reports / November 22, 2017
Author and former NASA astronaut, Leland Melvin (left), stands with Santana Hayes, grandson of Barbara Harris, assistant city manager, City of Greensboro. Photo courtesy of Ivan Cutler.
The Greensboro Public Library hosted Leland Melvin, author, former professional football player and NASA astronaut last Saturday at the Greensboro Coliseum. Melvin discussed his life story as an athlete, astronaut, scientist, engineer, photographer, and musician to inspire young people to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM). Melvin’s book, “Chasing Space: An Astronaut’s Story of Grit, Grace and Second Chances” includes do-it-yourself experiments along with sixteen pages of full-color photographs to inspire young readers.
As a Detroit Lion’s football player, Melvin’s career was cut short by an injury. He didn’t waste time mourning his broken dream. Instead, he found a new one—something that was completely out of this world.
Leland Melvin joined NASA, braved an injury that nearly left him permanently deaf, and still managed to muster the courage and resolve to travel to space on the shuttle Atlantis to help build the International Space Station. Melvin’s problem-solving methods and can-do attitude turned
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