University of Colorado at Boulder alum-astronaut Scott Carpenter will be on campus on Friday, Jan. 31, to talk about his new book, "For Spacious Skies: The Uncommon Journey of a Mercury Astronaut."
The free talk and book signing will be held in the Old Main Chapel at 5:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Carpenter, the second astronaut to orbit the Earth, grew up in Boulder and became one of seven Project Mercury astronauts to take part in America's pioneering space program in the 1960s.Ìý
His book describes the heart-stopping story of his flight aboard the Aurora 7 capsule that overshot its recovery point by 250 miles. It also shares his family story and was co-authored by Kris Stoever, his daughter, who also will be at the event.
"We have anticipated this book with great excitement," said Kay Oltmans, director of the CU Heritage Center. "We are pleased to host Scott Carpenter and continue to celebrate his achievements."
Artifacts from Carpenter's career as an astronaut are on display in the Heritage Center's "CU in Space" exhibit, including a letter to Carpenter from his father wishing him luck on his Mercury flight, as well as a photograph of Carpenter's childhood home on Aurora Avenue and 7th Street in Boulder. He named his flight capsule Aurora 7 after his boyhood home address.
A book signing and reception will follow in the Heritage Center on the third floor of Old Main. The event is sponsored by the CU Heritage Center and Holland and Hart LLP. Books will be on sale at the event.
The CU Heritage Center is the university's history museum and is sponsored by the CU-Boulder Alumni Association. It is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information contact the Heritage Center at (303) 492-6329.