American University of Sharjah hosts special lecture by former astronaut

American University of Sharjah recently hosted a special lecture by former U.S. astronaut Marsha Ivins, who successfully flew five space shuttle missions during her career.
 
The event was attended by AUS community members and guests, including Dr. Björn Kjerfve, AUS chancellor; Amer Al Sayegh, KhalifaSat project manager at Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC); and other senior officials.
 
During the event, Al Sayegh spoke of his hope of seeing the UAE becoming a regional leader in space exploration. He also highlighted the opportunities of a career in space in the UAE.
 
"The space sector is one the country's leadership places great importance on, so there are huge opportunities for those who study science, mathematics and engineering to be a part of this amazing journey," Al Sayegh said.
 
During her lecture, Ivins captured the audience’s attention with her recollections of everyday life in space.
 
"We go around the earth every 90 minutes and every astronaut that has come back has said the same thing,” she said. “As you orbit the earth, you do not see borders and boundaries that separate the countries. We learn about these borders when we study geography. We do not see natural borders and boundaries but sadly we do see man-made ones."