posted 05-28-2016 10:00 AM               

Editor's note: This topic has been started to post news and post-event reports from Mike Massimino's book signings for the new book Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe.

A calendar of these events and other Massimino appearances is under Sightings.

posted 09-14-2016 12:55 PM               

Preorder #Spaceman today and I'll send you a thank you gift!

Preorder a copy of Spaceman by Mike Massimino from any retailer and fill out the form to receive a NASA Space Shuttle Enterprise model and bookplate sticker signed by Mike to place in your book. Where it asks for your confirmation/order number, input the order number from your book receipt. If you've already preordered your book, please submit your order information here.

posted 09-15-2016 11:06 AM               

Join the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum for a Free Conversation and Book Launch with Former NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino and TIME Magazine Editor at Large, Jeffrey Kluger

Join the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum for an intimate evening with NASA Astronaut (retired) and Intrepid Senior Advisor for Space Programs Mike Massimino; and TIME Magazine Editor at Large and co-author of Apollo 13, Jeffrey Kluger, as they discuss Massimino's new memoir, "Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe" on Wednesday, October 5.

Complimentary glass of wine for attendees 21 and over from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by a conversation and book signing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Intrepid Museum located at Pier 86 (46th Street and 12th Avenue).

Massimino was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in May 1996, and qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist following two years of training. He is a veteran of two space flights, STS-109 in March 2002 and STS-125 in May 2009, both of which were Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions. Massimino has logged a total of 571 hours and 47 minutes in space, and a cumulative total of 30 hours and 4 minutes of spacewalking in four spacewalks.

In "Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe," Massimino explores his childhood space dreams, which were born the day Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. His journey to realize those dreams is what makes his story so remarkable. Each hurdle could easily have been the end, but as he realized – no one is really alone, and having the "right stuff" isn't always what you expect.

Books will be available for purchase and signing. Intrepid Museum members receive a discount on "Spaceman" and may RSVP for guaranteed seats. General public admission is first come, first served.

The event is free and a complimentary glass of wine will be available for guests ages 21 and older.

posted 10-06-2016 04:54 PM               

He was interviewed by author Jeffrey Kluger, whose book "Lost Moon" with astronaut Jim Lovell was the basis for the movie "Apollo 13." Massimino came across as down-to-earth and humble, amazed that he could fulfill his lifelong passion for space by actually flying and then conducting spacewalks to fix the Hubble Space Telescope.

But to get to where he wanted to go, he had to endure several rejections and a medical disqualification — the last of which provided a humorous anecdote involving two astronauts and their competing remedies for Massimino's bad eyesight (not to give anything away, but it involves water).

posted 10-26-2016 04:47 PM               

Great guy and very easy to talk to. He's pretty partial to "Twix" chocolate bars too.

I have to confess, the on stage interviewer did not set the world alight... but I thoroughly enjoyed myself none the less.

It was akin to "Space Lectures Lite." Mr and Mrs Owl were there along with Roger, Alan, Jane, numerous regulars and several rather motley policemen typically found loitering in Pontefract.

In the post interview Q&A Mike spoke quite a bit about his friendship with Scott Altman and confirmed what I had already concluded: that we are in for a treat with Scott's appearance at the next Space Lectures event in April.

Scott may tell us about the "psychological scarring" that resulted from an encounter with 30 plate sized pancakes... but you will have to be there to find out.

posted 10-28-2016 06:29 PM               

Down to earth style with humorous asides Mike gave a personal view regarding his own astronaut heroes, NASA selection, training and space flight. It was clear he enjoyed the thrill of EVAs and our place in the universe was put into perspective.

No problem with signatures at the end, got a few items signed ready to add Scott Altman's signature at the Space Lectures event in April.

Got you a personalised copy of "Spaceman" too Carl as requested.