Shuttle astronaut’s “homecoming”

Astronaut Chrisopher Ferguson at Drexel University

Christopher Ferguson, who commanded STS-126 last November visited his alma mater today—the Drexel College of Engineering in Philadelphia.

Local Boy Makes Good

The band played “Pick Up The Pieces” when Ferguson appeared at the top of the marble steps and he was introduced to the crowd. It was noted that several astronauts came from the Philadelphia area—including the legendary Pete Conrad. And that 3 astronauts were Drexel graduates.

Astronaut Career

Ferguson had two flights in his 10 years as a member of the astronaut corps; his first was as pilot of STS-115 in 2006.

Future Flights?

I asked him if he expected to stay with the organization long enough to fly NASA next manned vehicle, Constellation.

“That’s up to my wife,” he said. “I’d love to do it. It’s a few years off.”

Also, noting the technical problems Constellation has been having, he said “Let’s see if it works first.” But, Apollo’s Saturn V had problems during early testing, too. And it ended up with a flawless record.

Rocket science is hard. But the problems can be overcome. Maybe Ferguson will get to command a second kind of spacecraft in a few years. Maybe.