NASA astronauts to visit Vietnam for space talk

By Linh Pham May 29, 2023 | 03:17 pm PT

U.S. astronaut Michael A. Baker. Photo courtesy of NASA

Two NASA astronauts will meet with 3,000 students in the central province of Binh Dinh to talk about life in space.

U.S. astronauts Michael A. Baker and Josef F. Schmid will visit the Binh Dinh Center for Science Exploration and Innovation on June 8 and June 9 as part of Vietnam NASA Space Week.

The event is being held by the provincial People’s Committee, the Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association, and NASA.

Vietnam is the first Southeast Asian country to host such a NASA event.

Nguyen Huu Ha, director of the Binh Dinh center, said the program would help students learn more about NASA’s scientific and technological advancements. They can also interact directly with astronauts to learn more about their lives and missions in space, he added.

Besides speaking with the astronauts, the event’s other activities include night sky exploration, VR/AR experiences, and drone flight and light shows. Scientists will also share their research on protecting planet Earth, pollution prevention and extraterrestrial life, as well as other topics.

Vietnam NASA Week is intended to bolster the field of space science in Binh Dinh.

Local authorities have proposed that the Binh Dinh Center for Science Exploration and Innovation become a hub for space technology research and application.