Space Talk Featuring Astronaut Steve Smith

By Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Students and educators to connect with a veteran NASA astronaut who flew four missions including STS-82

Space Coast, Florida — 2/22/2026 — The International Journey Spaceflight Experiments Program (IJSEP) will celebrate a historic milestone in global space education by hosting a special Space Talk with NASA Astronaut Steve Smith on February 25, offering all participants a rare opportunity to learn directly from a real spaceflight veteran.

The event, made possible through the collaboration of KSCIA – International Space Academy, International School, The Michaelis Foundation for Global Education and StemMed, will bring together students, and educators for an inspirational conversation with one of NASA’s most respected astronauts.

Astronaut Steve Smith is a veteran of multiple space shuttle missions, including STS-82, a landmark mission that serviced the Hubble Space Telescope and played a critical role in advancing one of humanity’s greatest scientific achievements. His experience conducting complex operations in orbit makes him an ideal role model for students participating in IJSEP, a program that empowers young learners to develop real scientific experiments designed for microgravity research and potential spaceflight.
This Space Talk will reinforce IJSEP’s mission of connecting youth with authentic space experiences and real scientific role models, while motivating students to see themselves as future engineers, scientists, and explorers.

 “One of the greatest lessons I learned in space is that extraordinary achievements are never accomplished alone. They are built through teamwork, preparation, curiosity, and the courage to believe that something bigger is possible, ” said Astronaut Steve Smith, veteran NASA astronaut and STS-82 mission specialist. “Programs like IJSEP are powerful because they give students the chance to think like real scientists, collaborate across borders, and realize that their ideas truly matter. Today’s classrooms are shaping tomorrow’s missions, and I’m honored to be part of a program that inspires young minds to reach beyond Earth.”

The Space Talk will serve as a key celebration of the unprecedented collaboration achieved through IJSEP, as hundreds of schools and students unite in a global effort to transform classroom ideas into experiments designed for space.

“Through IJSEP, students are gaining hands-on experience in scientific thinking, research development, and teamwork. This program proves that space is no longer a distant dream, but a reachable classroom for the next generation”, said Jefferson Michaelis, IJSEP Program Coordinator.

For more information about the IJSEP, click here