MEDIA ADVISORY
MERCURY ASTRONAUT SCOTT CARPENTER SPLASHES DOWN ON THE SPACE STORE
Houston, Texas; February 26, 2003 – Space buffs from around the state converged on SPACEHAB-owned "The Space Store" for Mercury Astronaut Scott Carpenter's only Houston-scheduled book signing. Carpenter's new book, For Spacious Skies, was written in partnership with daughter and author, Kris Stoever, offering readers an up-close view of the road to space travel and a boy's journey through life and into greatness.
In less than three hours, the father-daughter team autographed an unprecedented 625 books for their fans who braved the day's cold and rainy weather to stand in line and meet the legendary "Right Stuff" astronaut. Space enthusiast and Clear Lake area resident, Monica Jackson, was one such visitor who said, "I was thrilled to hear The Space Store had arranged for this book signing. I jumped at the chance to own this unique piece of history and shake the hand of an American hero."
For Spacious Skies: The Uncommon Journey of a Mercury Astronaut is Carpenter's never-before-told account of his life at NASA including his selection as an astronaut and his historic Mercury flight aboard Aurora 7 .
During his visit to Houston, Carpenter commented on the Columbia tragedy reaffirming the commitment to human space flight, adding that the benefits will forever outweigh the risks inherent in the program. Through an influx of letters, visitors, and space memorabilia patrons, The Space Store experienced first-hand the public's unwavering support of America's space program. Proceeds from the sale of STS-107 items are being donated to local and national memorials including $5000 to build the STS-107 Memorial Fountain at The Arts Alliance Center of Clear Lake, $2000 to the STS-107 Memorial Stained Glass Window at Shaar Hashalom Synagogue, as well as a significant sum to the Columbia astronaut families.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kimberly Campbell
Director of Marketing
SPACEHAB, Inc.
713.558.5049
campbell@spacehab.com
Captions:
Photo 1: Scott Carpenter, pictured here at The Space Store, autographed over 600 books in three hours at the only Houston-area signing.
Photo 2: Carpenter fans take over the NASA Rd. 1 strip mall as they wait to shake the hand of one of the first American astronauts.
Photo 3: A star-struck fan looks on as Scott Carpenter and his co-author
and daughter Kris Stoever sign copies of their new book.