‘Astronaut maker’ George Abbey in spotlight at Rice event

MEDIA ADVISORY

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

‘Astronaut maker’ George Abbey in spotlight at Rice event

HOUSTON – (Feb. 26, 2019) – As one of the most influential figures in NASA’s history, former Johnson Space Center director George Abbey served a key role in shaping the Apollo moon missions and the space shuttle program.

The longtime Houstonian’s remarkable career will be the focus of a March 4 conversation with Abbey, now the senior fellow in space policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, and author Michael Cassutt, whose new biography, “The Astronaut Maker: How One Mysterious Engineer Ran Human Spaceflight for a Generation,” chronicles Abbey’s rise from Air Force pilot to NASA power broker.

The event, hosted by the Baker Institute’s Space Policy Program, is free and open to the public. Registration is required at www.bakerinstitute.org/events/1984.

Who: George Abbey, senior fellow in space policy at the Baker Institute, and Michael Cassutt, an American television producer, screenwriter and author.

What: A presentation titled “The Astronaut Maker: How One Mysterious Engineer Ran Human Spaceflight for a Generation.”

When: Monday, March 4, 6-7 p.m. A reception will be at 7.

Where: Rice University, James A. Baker III Hall, Kelly International Conference Facility, 6100 Main St.

A book signing will follow the presentation. Copies of the book will be available for purchase from the Rice University Campus Store.

A live webcast of the event will be available at www.bakerinstitute.org/events/1984.

Members of the news media who wish to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media should park in the Central Campus Garage (underground).

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Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top three university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.