The National Space Society invites you to the next Space Forum
Thursday, March 26, 2026, 9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EST
Space Ace:
A Combat Pilot’s Journey from Vietnam to Space
With special guest
Hoot Gibson
NASA Astronaut, Naval Aviator, Test Pilot, and Author
What does it take to fly more than 160 aircraft and command missions in space? Join the National Space Society for a special Space Forum featuring veteran astronaut, naval aviator, and test pilot Robert L. “Hoot” Gibson, whose career spans combat aviation, flight testing, and five Space Shuttle missions.
From flying the F-4 Phantom in combat to graduating from the Navy’s TOPGUN school and test pilot training, Gibson built a career at the very edge of aviation. Selected as a NASA astronaut in 1978, he went on to fly five Shuttle missions and command four of them, including STS-71, the historic first docking of a Space Shuttle with the Russian space station Mir.
In this special conversation, we will explore the stories behind his newly released memoir, Space Ace, along with the experiences that shaped his remarkable journey—from a young aviation enthusiast to one of NASA’s most experienced Shuttle commanders. Gibson will share personal reflections on life as a test pilot and astronaut, what it was like to fly the Space Shuttle, and how the spirit of exploration continues to shape the future of spaceflight.
The live online discussion will include audience questions and firsthand stories from one of NASA’s most experienced space shuttle commanders. As an added bonus, four attendees will receive autographed copies of Space Ace as virtual door prizes. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the stories behind the missions and the remarkable career captured in Space Ace. Register for the Space Forum today.
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Captain Robert L. “Hoot” Gibson, USN (Ret.), is a veteran NASA astronaut, naval aviator, and test pilot who flew five Space Shuttle missions and commanded four of them. Over the course of his spaceflight career, he logged more than 36 days in orbit aboard the orbiters Challenger, Columbia, Atlantis, and Endeavour.
Born in Cooperstown, New York, Gibson earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from California Polytechnic State University before joining the U.S. Navy. He flew combat missions in Southeast Asia in aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom and later became a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.
Selected as a NASA astronaut in 1978, Gibson flew his first mission in 1984 and went on to command several historic shuttle flights. His final mission, STS-71 in 1995, marked the first docking of a Space Shuttle with the Russian space station Mir, an important milestone in international space cooperation. During his time at NASA, Gibson also served as Chief of the Astronaut Office and played a role in recovery and investigation efforts following the Challenger accident.
Across a flying career spanning decades, he has accumulated more than 14,000 flight hours in more than 160 types of aircraft. Gibson was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2003. He is also the author of the memoir Space Ace, in which he reflects on his remarkable career in aviation and human spaceflight.
Register today to reserve your seat and ask your questions. Use the link below.
Register no later than March 26 at 8 pm EST
