Dr. Sandra H. Magnus was the Executive Director Emeritus of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the world’s largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession. She served as the Institute’s fifth executive director from October 2012 until January 2018.
Selected to the NASA Astronaut Corps in April, 1996, Dr. Magnus flew in space on the STS- 112 shuttle mission in 2002, and on the final shuttle flight, STS-135, in 2011. In addition, she flew to the International Space Station on STS-126 in November 2008, served as flight engineer and science officer on Expedition 18, and returned home on STS-119 after four and a half months on board.
Following her assignment on Station, she served at NASA Headquarters in the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. Her last duty at NASA, after STS-135, was as the deputy chief of the Astronaut Office. Currently, she is in Kathmandu as a tourist and she is busy to share her knowledge with students. Hakahaki.org talked with her about the purpose of her visit, and her impressions about Nepal. Excerpts:
What is the purpose of your visit?
I came to Nepal for trekking, and see all of the beautiful natures you have here. I wanted to see the Himalayas to up-close.
What are your impressions?
I went for Langtang valley trek and Annapurna base camp trek and both are very beautiful. But, I have to say that Annapurna base-camp area was very-very amazing. Nepal is very beautiful, it is amazingly beautiful. The nature here is majestic, the word that came to my mind when I was travelling in Himalayan areas.
Is it your first visit to Nepal?
Yes, this is my first visit to Nepal. After completing my trekking I visited some places, including some schools. I found the people here very friendly and helpful. People were asking me in English from where I am and where I am going. I am having a wonderful time in Nepal.
Photos: Amish Regmi
What were the major attractions for you in Nepal?
I really enjoyed travelling in Himalayan areas and jungles. The places like Kathmandu and Pokhara are really beautiful and amazing.
You have a rich and profound knowledge on astronomy, how can you contribute us in those areas?
I not currently employed, and I came to Nepal as a tourist. I am working with some educational institutions and other areas. I am sharing my knowledge with students here. What I found is that the issue like space always excites and inspires the students. This issue is very important even those students are not going to study space and engineering. Space could be used as a tool to inspire the students.
