When was the last time you went into space? Yeah I’m talking about that space. The one with all the stars and planets. Has it been a while? Well you’re in luck! The US Space and Rocket Center is giving you a chance to eat lunch with three of the men who’ve conquered outer space in a an exciting summer series.

Donald Thomas at Lunch with an Astronaut US Space and Rocket Center — Donald Thomas chatting with guests

Lunch Time

I attended the first Lunch with an Astronaut event of the summer. Along with a fine group of what I can only assume are future space pioneers (judging not only by their attire but also by their fairly astute questions to the former astronaut) I chowed down on the fine cuisne of the Space and Rocket Center literally right beside Don Thomas.

When I say lunch with an astronaut, I mean it in the most literal sense of the word. Don walked right in, unannounced, made himself a plate of BBQ, and sat down right next to a group of former Space Campers, who could not have been more thrilled with his choice of seating.

Mix and Mingle

After he finished eating (and in case you’re wondering the cuisine is super tasty! Space and Rocket Center knows how to cook up some good eats) Don went around to every table, taking the time to stop and chat with everyone.

And for anyone interested in anything relating to space, this is the kind of one-on-one time you can only dream about. Don spoke to parents, kids, and grandparents alike. Stopping to answering everyone’s questions and not making anyone feel rushed while with him. That’s beauty of these lunches. You’re there to have lunch with an astronaut! How cool is that?? Click here to see photos from my lunch with Don Thomas.

Q & A

After the mixing and mingling, it was time for some q & a. I had some questions prepared, but I soon learned that I was out of my league. This lunch happened to fall on the 30th anniversary of Space Camp and so there were a lot of kids at the lunch who were in town for the festivities from past camps. They clearly knew WAY more about all things space than I did. I put my questions away and left the asking to the experts.

Here are a few tidbits I did pick up and some of the interesting facts you can pick up at a future lunch (there are five more!)

The best space food is the sweet and sour chicken
You are 2 inches taller in space
The best space condiment is the BBQ sauce
An entertaining game to play in space is catch the astronaut

The Astronauts

I’m sure you’re now ready to go to your own Lunch with an Astronaut. And you CAN! Bring the whole family because this is a great event for all ages, especially anyone interested in science. There are five more this summer, one with Don Thomas and two with Robert “Hoot” Gibson and two with Robert “Bob” Springer. Here’s a bit of background on each of the fellows. See you at lunch!

Donald Thomas and Larkin Grant at Lunch with an Astronaut US Space and Rocket Center — Larkin Grant (me) striking a pose with Donald Thomas

Donald A. Thomas (PH.D.)

Time in Space: over 1,040 hours
Missions Flown: 4
Served as the International Space Station Program Scientist overseeing NASA experiments performed on the International Space Station
Set a new flight duration record for the Space Shuttle program
Conducted more than 80 experiments focusing on materials and life sciences research in microgravity

Robert L. Gibson (CAPTAIN, USN RET.)

Time in space: 36-1/2 days
Missions flown: 5
Participated in the redesign and re-certification of the solid rocket boosters
Served as Chief of the Astronaut Office
Served Deputy Director, Flight Crew Operations

Robert C. (Bob) Springer (COLONEL, USMC, RET.)

Time in Space: 237 hours
Missions Flown: 2
Responsible for Astronaut Office coordination of the Design Requirements Reviews (DRRs) and Design Certification Reviews (DCRs)
Currently employed by The Boeing Company as director of quality systems, Integrated Defense Systems
Took more than 4,000 photographs of the Earth using several types of cameras, including the IMAX 70mm movie camera