NASA Hosts University Students to Discuss Future of Space Exploration

As part of an agency-wide session with students for National Intern Day on July 26, 2018, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine spoke at the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Interns from Goddard and other NASA centers were able to ask Bridenstine questions about the space agencys programs and projects. Here, an intern at Goddard poses a question to Bridenstine during a Q&A in the center's Hinners Auditorium.

Credits: NASA/Rebecca Roth

NASA is giving university studentsan opportunity to interact with agency leadership, including NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, as well as astronauts abroad theInternational Space Station, during a live event2 p.m. EDT Monday, April 29, at the agencys headquarters in Washington.

The event,intended to inspire the next generation of STEM explorers skilled in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math,will air live on NASA Television and the agencyswebsite.It also will stream live onFacebookandTwitter. Viewers can submit questions during the event using the hashtag #askNASA.

Participants at NASA Headquarters include:

• Administrator Bridenstine
• Associate Administratorfor theHuman Exploration and OperationsMissionDirectorateWillliam Gerstenmaier
• Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen

In addition, students will be able to ask questions during a live Earth-to-space call with NASA astronautsChristina KochandNick Hague, currently serving as part of the Expedition 59 crew aboard the International Space Station.

As NASA plans a return of American astronauts to the Moon by 2024 and eventually going on to Mars, the agency is looking to the next generation of STEM explorers to help achieve its goals. Going forward to the Moon will create new economic opportunities, a sustainable exploration campaign, and a foundation to go on to Mars.