/ 10 November 2010

US astronaut describes his space experience

One of the first space walking astronauts to repair the Hubble State Telescope described his first experience in space as “always kind of fun” and a multi-mission saga.

Speaking at a public lecture at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Pretoria on Tuesday, Dr Jeffrey Hoffman from the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) highlighted how fortunate he was to be part of the crew that carried out repairs in 1993 on the most successful telescope ever built.

“We spent a year and half training, to try simulating in advance as much as we could of what we were expected to do on the mission to avoid mistakes,” said Hoffman, who is currently visiting South Africa to increase awareness of science through astronomy. — Sapa