Astronaut to blast off for Fife on a mission to inspire students

An American astronaut is heading to Fife for a series of events at St Andrews University and in the local community.

Lieutenant Colonel Duane Carey served as the pilot of the space shuttle Columbia on the fourth Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission in March 2002.

During his visit he will deliver lectures at the university and share his experiences as a space shuttle pilot, the astronaut member of mission control, and a leader in three different US Air Force jet fighter squadrons with youngsters at Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes.

The trip is at the invitation of St Andrews student Tomi Baikie who was keen to involve the community and school pupils.

He said: “He had a profound impact on my decision to study science when he came to my school in the Highlands.

“I hope the students in Auchmuty High and the Fife community also have a chance to experience the magic of science exploration.”

A free public lecture in the university’s School of Physics Theatre A will be held at 7.30pm on Monday followed by a Q&A session.