UR Alumnus Set for Space Shuttle Launch

Richmond alumnus and NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, R'86, is scheduled to blast off aboard the space shuttle Atlantis on Thursday, February 7, at 2:45 p.m. (E.S.T.)

The University will hold a countdown celebration in honor of the first Spider in space beginning at 2:15 p.m. at The Pier in Tyler Haynes Commons. Students, faculty, staff, and local alumni are invited to watch the launch "live" on a giant television screen. Free "space" food and refreshments will be served.

The actual launch date and time is subject to change depending on weather conditions and other circumstances. The University will not be sending out further updates on the launch, so please check the NASA Web site for the latest information, at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/, before coming to campus for the countdown celebration.