Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise to speak on Feb. 25

Fred Haise, lunar module pilot on Apollo 13, will speak at Virginia Tech on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Squires Student Center Haymarket Theatre.

The event is open to the public and being sponsored by Virginia Tech Union. Admission is $1 for students and $2 for non-students.

Haise’s speech focuses on the idea that “failure is not an option.” He stresses control, communication, and individual responsibility as keys to success. After speaking, Haise will open the floor to questions.

Haise’s speech will feature three major events in his life: Apollo 13, a plane crash, and working in the corporation Northrop Grumman. In each of these experiences, Haise claims that the right people, the right background, and coming together for a similar goal made all the difference. Haise goes on to say, “The same principles apply in the business world. Right mix, right skills, working towards a goal. That’s what makes a success.” Haise will explore the technological aspects of his experiences as well.

Apollo 13, launched in 1970, was Haise’s only flight into space. Mid-mission, the crew experienced a technical malfunction forcing them to return home. When asked about his experiences on the space craft, Haise said “other than confusion, the strongest emotion was disappointment of losing a chance to land on the moon.” This event presents the opportunity to hear from the man who just missed the moon.

To learn more about upcoming Virginia Tech Union events, read the recent Virginia Tech News story.

Written by Katie Noland, a senior from Berryville, Va. Noland is majoring in English in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.