Victor Glover on Sunday become the 1st Black astronaut to arrive at space station for long-term stay. COURTESY PHOTO.
Uganda Christian News has learnt of a NASA astronaut who took a Bible and holy communion cups as he blasted to the International Space Station (ISS) in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule named Resilience.
According to the Christian Post, Mr. Victor Glover, 44, plans to utilize the strong internet connection aboard the craft to access faith-based programs and attend services virtually.
“I will probably continue in what we’ve been doing: virtual service, virtual giving, reading my Bible and praying,” he said.
Glover on Sunday, 15 November 2020, arrived at the ISS with three other crew members onboard the first commercially developed space vehicle certified by NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration to ferry astronauts up to low-Earth orbit and back again.
The crew will remain at the space station for about 6 months, working on a variety of science experiments and conducting space walks to continue updates and repairs on the space station’s exterior. This project is scheduled to be the longest human space mission launched from the United States.
Glover said in a video interview with the Churches of Christ-associated newspaper Christian Chronicle, “I want to use the abilities that God has given me to do my job well and support my crewmates and mission and NASA.”
He is responsible for the spacecraft systems and performance.
The California native holds a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering from California Polytechnic State University, a Master of Science degree in flight test engineering and a master’s degree military operational art and science from Air University, and a Master of Science degree in systems engineering from Naval Postgraduate School. Glover is a naval aviator and was a test pilot in the F/A‐18 Hornet, Super Hornet, and EA‐18G Growler aircraft.
The New York Times notes that more than 300 NASA astronauts have reached space to date, but Glover is just the 15th African American member of this exclusive club.
Before returning home, Glover and his crew be joined by yet another group of astronauts on a mission dubbed Crew-2 that’s due to launch next year.
