FROSTBURG, MD (October 26, 2016)--NASA astronaut and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science alumnus Ricky Arnold will present “Reflections on a Journey to the International Space Station” followed by a question-and-answer session on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 6:30 pm in Frostburg State University's Pealer Recital Hall in the Performing Arts Center. The family-friendly event is a presentation of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Appalachian Laboratory and Frostburg State University (FSU) and is free and open to the public.
Arnold graduated from FSU in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and from the Univesity of Maryland in 1992 with a master’s degree in marine, estuarine and environmental science. He conducted his master's degree research at the UMCES’ Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge, Maryland. Before being selected for the NASA astronaut corps as an Educator Astronaut in 2004, he worked as a marine scientist on an oceanographic vessel and taught science and math in Waldorf, Md., Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Romania.
Arnold was a mission specialist for STS-119 in March 2009, when the Space Shuttle Discovery delivered and the crew installed critical final pieces of the International Space Station. On that mission, Arnold performed two of the three spacewalks.
In 2007, Arnold was also a mission specialist for a NEEMO (NASA Extreme Environment Mission) training and research operation aboard the underwater habitat Aquarius. The “aquanaut” mission simulated the level of gravity on the moon, but it was also a “dream come true” for the former marine scientist, he said.
Arnold serves as the branch chief responsible for the planning and safe execution of spacewalks and space station robotic operations.
Arnold grew up in Bowie, Md. He is married and the father of two daughters. For more information on Arnold, visit www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/arnold-rr.html.
For information about Arnold’s presentation, contact Rhonda Schwinabart, coordinator of External Affairs for UMCES’ Appalachian Laboratory, at 301-689-7102 orrschwinabart@umces.edu.
FSU is committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodations through the ADA Compliance Office, call 301-687-4102 or use a Voice Relay Operator at 1-800-735-2258.
About UMCES Appalachian Laboratory: The Appalachian Laboratory, a research center of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, is located at the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Frostburg, Md. Scientists conduct research on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including air and water quality, wildlife management, and land conservation throughout the world, with an emphasis on the rich and diverse environments of Western Maryland and the broader Appalachian region. Visit www.umces.edu/al of facebook.com/UMCES. Follow UMCES on Twitter @UMCES.
About Frostburg State University: Situated in the mountains of Allegany County, Frostburg State University is one of the 12 institutions of the University System of Maryland. FSU is a comprehensive, residential regional university and serves as an educational and cultural center for Western Maryland. For more information, visit www.frostburg.edu or facebook.com/frostburgstateuniversity. Follow FSU on Twitter @frostburgstate.
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