SPACE RULES!
Posted by Stephanie Finnvik on Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thus far, the IAC has been far more exciting than I could have ever imagined. I'm super tired but absolutely loving every minute of it so far and have no complaints. I am just overwhelmed with the quality of the program and people in attendance. Once I have some time to actually sit down and write about the whole week, I'm sure that I will have a lengthy entry sometime next week, but for now I just want to recap a little bit!
I am so incredibly grateful for all the people in the field of space science that I have had the opportunity to simply talk to them and meet them. All of these people with a wealth of experience have all been so kind and willing to answer questions I have. My first day, I was waiting outside for some Parliamentarians to arrive from the program I helped co-organize and as I was standing outside, heads of agencies from JAXA, Roscosmos, and others, including multiple astronauts passed by. I couldn't believe that in less than an hour, this many people, who I admire and look up to in my field, were just passing by to attend the same events as myself. Yesterday I had coffee with Michael Griffin and exchanged business cards with Bolden himself.
Two days ago I went to Table Mountain, which I highly recommend for anyone who comes to Cape Town. It was beautiful. It may be the only time that I leave the CTICC (Cape Town International Convention Centre) throughout the week, though I have no complaints.
I am so happy to simply be here and don't know what I'll do when I have to leave!
Lori Garver (NASA Deputy Administrator), me and Charlie Bolden (NASA Administrator)
I am so incredibly grateful for all the people in the field of space science that I have had the opportunity to simply talk to them and meet them. All of these people with a wealth of experience have all been so kind and willing to answer questions I have. My first day, I was waiting outside for some Parliamentarians to arrive from the program I helped co-organize and as I was standing outside, heads of agencies from JAXA, Roscosmos, and others, including multiple astronauts passed by. I couldn't believe that in less than an hour, this many people, who I admire and look up to in my field, were just passing by to attend the same events as myself. Yesterday I had coffee with Michael Griffin and exchanged business cards with Bolden himself.
Two days ago I went to Table Mountain, which I highly recommend for anyone who comes to Cape Town. It was beautiful. It may be the only time that I leave the CTICC (Cape Town International Convention Centre) throughout the week, though I have no complaints.
I am so happy to simply be here and don't know what I'll do when I have to leave!