NASA Chief drops into Bristol

On Wednesday NASA Chief General Charles Bolden delivered a much-anticipated speech to University students in the Wills Memorial building. Did he reveal the existence of aliens? No. But he did provide us with an inspiring account of his quite extraordinary experiences working for NASA. 

Charles Bolden – NASA Administrator

The Administrator, who insisted on being called Charlie,  spoke about his experiences with NASA and most notably his four missions with space shuttles, of which he captained two. The NASA Chief was part of the team aboard Discovery that launched the Hubble Space Telescope. Part of the intensive training involved was conducted in Bristol, giving the astronaut a strong tie with the city.

General Bolden poses with Bristol University staff

General Bolden, who was appointed NASA Administrator in 2009 after his nomination by President Obama, was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Engineering from the University of Bristol for his contribution to space exploration and engineering sciences.

There was a refreshingly informal feel to the talk, and Bolden controlled the room with supreme ease and confidence and a mesmerising natural charisma. After much encouragement, there was a steady flow of questions from the floor, all of which were answered with huge enthusiasm and passion by the ex-marine.

It is rare to be present for something truly inspirational – especially with the way superlatives are carelessly bandied around in mainstream culture – but this talk will certainly be an event that those lucky enough to be present will always remember.