Shropshire Star

Singing astronaut prepares for touchdown . . . in Shropshire

He became an internet sensation while orbiting the earth. Now the singing astronaut Chris Hadfield is coming to Shropshire to share his experiences.

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Commander Hadfield has released a new book – You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes – featuring beautiful images of the Earth captured while in orbit.

And the man who for months circumnavigated the globe every 90 minutes is now touring the world at a more sedate pace publicising his work.

His online videos, including a zero-gravity version of David Bowie's Space Oddity, have had more than 50 million views.

Commander Hadfield recorded a nightly blog explaining how his day on the International Space Station had been, and outlining what the work of an astronaut involved.

The 55-year-old, who has now retired, will be coming to Oswestry on December 10 to share some of his stories in a rare opportunity to talk to someone who has been to space.

He was selected to be an astronaut in 1992 and served as commander of the Space Station in 2012 and 2013 where, while conducting a record-setting number of scientific experiments and overseeing an emergency spacewalk.

He will be at the Wynnstay Hotel, Church Street at noon to give a talk on life in space, illustrated with some of the pictures which appear in his book.

Tim Morris, from Booka bookshop, who arranged the visit, said: "It's not every day that a real life astronaut comes to Oswestry. This is a one-off opportunity to meet celebrated astronaut and YouTube sensation Chris Hadfield as he talks his new book."

Tickets for the talk are £10, which includes £5 off a book purchase and refreshments, available from Booka in Church Street.

You Are Here is his second book. His first book, An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, told stories from his missions to space.

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