Living in Space Webcast:
Former NASA Astronauts Jim Reilly and Wendy Lawrence Discuss Life in Space.

• Download the presentation (PDF)
• Download the webcast's Q&A (PDF)

Please watch the videos below to view the space shuttle launch and the shuttle crew.

Space Shuttle Launch from American Public University.

Space Shuttle Crew from American Public University.

Background Information:

The ultimate life experience - space and zero gravity. Space is one of the harshest environments that humans have encountered, presenting unique and life-threatening challenges to the astronauts who have to live and work in this environment. In low Earth orbit, above the Earth's protective atmosphere, astronauts are exposed to high amounts of radiation and operate within a physical environment that the human body is not designed to live in. Future exploration efforts for returning to the Moon and going on to Mars will require an extensive knowledge of how to adapt to and counter the effects of space life.

Capt. Wendy Lawrence, (USN, Ret.) Professor of Space Physiology at American Public University, and Dr. Jim Reilly, Dean of the School of Science and Technology, discussed their personal experiences of Living in Space.

Our Guest Speakers Discussed:

• Living and working onboard the International Space Station
• Long-term effects of living in space has on the human body and mind, including challenges such as bone and muscle mass loss
• Traveling in space - the journey from liftoff to re-entry
• How education will shape the future of the U.S. space program and exploration of interplanetary space

Additionally, this live webcast included a question and answer session.

About our Guest Speakers: 

• James Reilly, Ph. D., Dean, American Public University System, School of Science and Technology and Former NASA Astronaut.
  
  After 17 years as an exploration geologist, Dr. Reilly was selected as a member of the 15th astronaut class in 1995. He flew three shuttle missions, STS-89 in 1998, STS-104 in 2001, and STS-117 in 2007, for a total time in space of over 850 hours. He also conducted five spacewalks with over 31 hours of EVA time.
  
  Dr. Reilly is a commissioned officer in the US Navy Reserve as an Engineering Duty Officer, Space Cadre (VS-4, Expert), Naval Astronaut. His duties include building curriculum for space operations courses for the Navy and teaching those courses around the world. > Read More

• Wendy Lawrence, Professor of Space Physiology, American Public University System, School of Science and Technology.
  
  Professor Lawrence was selected as an astronaut mission specialist in 1992 and worked at NASA for 14 years. She is a veteran of four shuttle missions (STS-67, 86, 91 and 114) and logged over 50 days in space.
  
  She is a retired naval aviator with 25 years of service. While stationed at HC-6 and HSL-30 Det ALFA, she made deployments to the North Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Kenya. > Read More

About American Public University

American Public University is part of American Public University System (APUS) which also includes American Military University, together educating more than 50,000 adult learners worldwide. APUS’s relevant curriculum, affordability and flexibility helps working adults pursue degrees in subjects ranging from homeland security to management and liberal arts. A university book grant supplies textbooks at no cost for eligible undergraduate students.  Learn more about advancing your education at www.apus.edu.