Reach for the Stars
Growing up in the Midwest, Scott Altman’s earliest memories are dreams of flying and becoming a pilot. A key element in pursuing that dream was studying Engineering at the University of Illinois.
That was the foundation that led to flying fighters off aircraft carriers, flying in the movie Top Gun and becoming a Navy test pilot.
It also opened the door to NASA and enabled him to fly four shuttle missions, culminating in commanding Atlantis on the final Hubble servicing mission.
Scott takes us on his piloting journey, telling stories about his experiences and the roadblocks he encountered along the way. His talk includes stories about how the University of Illinois enabled his career, performing test flights of the new F-14D and ultimately his time as an astronaut.
He will also share the story of leading the astronaut office team during the investigation of the Columbia accident that took the life of three of his astronaut classmates, along with four other good friends.
He will share lessons learned about overcoming obstacles, creating high performing teams and working together to accomplish what some thought was impossible, recovering from tragedy to show that we really can “reach for the stars!”
EVENT DETAILS
This event will be in person in Leesburg, VA. Attendance is capped at 200 participants. Only registered participants will be admitted to this event.
Members get first notice and free admittance when registration opens! Become a member today to ensure you have a seat.
VENUE & PARKING
Douglass Community Center is located at 407 E. Market Street Leesburg, 20176. It is an ADA compliant building.
Ample free parking is available around the main building and in the back by the playground.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
A retired Navy captain, Scott “Scooter” Altman is now president of the Space Operating Group for ASRC Federal. He is responsible for the group’s financial and technical performance, providing leadership in setting and executing operating plans and delivering on commitments to NASA, NOAA and Space Force customers.
Before joining ASRC Federal in 2010, Scott had a distinguished career with NASA and the U.S. Navy. The former astronaut is a veteran of four space flights, logging over 51 days in space and commanding the final two servicing missions of the Hubble Space Telescope. Scott has logged more than 7,000 hours in over 40 types of aircraft, and still considers flying the F-14D over Iraq as his peak aviation experience.
Scott was the recipient of the 2023 WashingtonExec’s Space Exec of the Year. In 2021, he was the recipient of the Order of Lincoln, Illinois’ highest honor for professional achievement and public service, an award that honors distinguished Illinois natives whose work uplifts every community in the state. In 2018, he was inducted to the Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center.
An advocate for inspiring the community through his experiences, he regularly gives back – from supporting local robotics clubs, to serving as an American Corporate Partners mentor for U.S. servicemen and women, to sitting on the board of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, to regularly donating his time to speak to youth about STEM careers. Scott understands that the future of space exploration lives with the next generation of leaders.
Scott received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and holds a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Questions? Email Casey: ckoester@georgecmarshall.org