Students at Fallon Adventist Elementary enjoyed a special visit from retired NASA astronaut Robert Springer on Oct. 17. Space science is part of the science curriculum for the students, so when Springer, a Boeing employee, visited a local worksite, co-worker Jose Kerry extended an invitation to speak to the students where his wife, Claritza, teaches.

Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in May 1980, Springer became an astronaut in August 1981. His technical assignments have included support crew for STS -3, concept development studies for the Space Operations Center, and the coordination of various aspects of the final development of the Remote Manipulator System. He also worked at Mission Control Center as Orbit CAPCOM for seven flights during 1984 and 1985.

Springer has logged more than 237 hours in space. He was a mission specialist on STS-29 in 1989, and STS-38 in 1990. In December 1990, Springer retired from NASA and the U.S. Marine Corps. He is currently employed by Boeing as Director of Quality Systems, Integrated Defense Systems.

Springer explained that he became an astronaut candidate because he was a pilot in the U.S. military. Students were excited to hear about Springer’s adventures in space, and some couldn’t believe the facts Springer shared about travel and life in space. "I can't believe that the shuttle travels 18,000 miles an hour when it’s orbiting the earth!" exclaimed Jose Kerry, Jr.

Springer received some amusing comments from the students when they heard about living in a space shuttle. “You guys don’t take showers in space?" asked Terra Duncan. "I don’t think I can live there.”

"Now I understand how you guys go to the bathroom," said Vivian Toledo.

The students at Fallon Elementary learned many amazing facts about the NASA space program. Teacher Claritza Kerry was just as excited, and is also thankful that Springer now knows about Seventh-day Adventists. "This was an awesome experience," said Kerry. "I am so glad that he came to our school and talked with the students. We all learned about Mr. Springer's life as an astronaut, but he also learned about Seventh-day Adventist Christian education. He is still wondering how it is possible for me to teach all these grades in one classroom."