Back to Earth: An Evening with Astronaut Nicole Stott

Related Organization: Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering, and Technology

Presented in partnership with University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Science and Engineering.

When Nicole Stott saw the Earth from space, she realized that this brilliant blue marble, shielded from the void by only its razor-think atmosphere, is a naturally existing system that's perfectly designed to support human life. Unlike the ISS, it doesn't require advanced technology for humans to survive. But very much like the ISS, is requires every crew member to work together to keep the system running smoothly.

In this talk, Nicole will encourage us to tackle the planet's most pressing problems, from water insecurity and pollution to the existential threat of climate change. She will share what she learned on the iSS about high-stakes problem solving and survival, along with stories of scientists and change-makers already making a difference around the world.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Nicole Stott is an astronaut, aquanaut, engineer, artist, and author of Back to Earth: What Life in Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet - And Our Mission to Protect It; and most importantly a mom. She creatively combines the awe and wonder of her spaceflight experience with her artwork to inspire everyone's appreciation of our role as crewmates here on Spaceship Earth.

Nicole is a veteran NASA Astronaut with two spaceflights and 104 days in space as a crewmember on both the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle. Personal highlights of her time in space include being the 10th woman to perform a spacewalk, first person to operate the ISS robotic arm to capture a free-flying cargo vehicle, painting the first watercolor in space, working with her international crew for the benefit of all life on Earth, and of course the life-changing view of our planetary home.

Nicole is also a NASA Aquanaut. In preparation for spaceflight, she was a crewmember on an 18-day saturation dive mission at the Aquarius undersea laboratory.

Nicole believes that the international model of peaceful and successful cooperation we have experienced in the extreme environments of space and sea holds the key to the same kind of peaceful and successful cooperation for all life here on Earth.

On her post-NASA mission, she is a technical and creative consultant, motivational speaker, and advocate for all we do in space that is ultimately for the benefit of all life on Earth. Nicole is also extremly proud of her role as a founding director of the Space for Art Foundation -- uniting a planetary community of children through the awe and wonder of space exploration and the healing power of art; and as a partner in purpose with Christina Korp and Space for a Better World -- connecting the space curious to the space serious.