The International Space School Educational Trust

Visiting the UK to launch the Edge into Space competition for school children is astronaut Commander Scott Kelly, pilot of the STS-103 mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. During his visit, Scott will be appearing on television, radio and talking to the press about the exciting possibilities of space exploration and how space science can turn students on to science in the classroom. Promoting the competition, Scott will also be visiting schools, colleges and science learning centres across the UK, giving presentations and talking with children.

For Scott's timetable of events, Click Here

Born February 21, 1964 in Orange, New Jersey, Scott Kelly's career began after graduating from Mountain High School, West Orange by completing a degree in electrical engineering at the State University of New York Maritime College. Once his degree was awarded, Scott served as a fighter pilot in the US Navy, deployed around the world to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and Persian Gulf aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier.

In 1993, Scott enroled in the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, training to work as a test pilot. From 1994 to 1996, Scott tried out new fighters and equipment from a base in Maryland, contributing to his flight record of 3,400 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft and with over 250 carrier landings.

Starting in April 1996, Scott worked with NASA from Johnson Space Center, serving on the STS-103 mission in 1999, which spent 8 days in space, installing new instruments and upgrading the Hubble Space Telescope.

At the moment, Commander Kelly is preparing for the STS-118 mission to the International Space Station, the date of which has yet to be confirmed.

On STS-108, Scott Kelly worked as the pilot, responsible for the shuttle during launch and flying the Orbiter Discovery back to Earth once the mission was complete.

The mission itself was focused around repairing and upgrading the Hubble Space Telescope; with astronauts Steven L. Smith, John M. Grunsfeld, C. Michael Foale and Claude Nicollier working together to service the telescope over three grueling days of Extra Vehicular Activities (EVAs - Spacewalks).