**Interview Call - Jon McBride & Attraction Tickets Direct**

 
 **Jon McBride former NASA astronaut talks about Grand Opening of the
Space Shuttle Atlantis launching June 29, 2013**

Jon McBride, former NASA astronaut is available for interview to talk about his involvement of the opening of Kennedy Space Centre's exciting new exhibition, The Space Shuttle Atlantis, which launches June 29, 2013.  

The exhibition will tell the compelling story of the entire shuttle program, including the thousands of people behind this incredible feat of engineering, its key role in the development in the International Space Station and the launch and repair of the Hubble Space Telescope, as well as how it paved the way for today's new space programs and
the future of space exploration.

More than 60 interactive, immersive exhibits and simulators will provide guests a never-before-experiences perspective on the shuttle's complex systems, components and capabilities.

Jon McBride is a real-life former astronaut who began his naval service in 1965 with flight training in Pensacola, Florida. He was assigned to Fighter Squadron 101 in Virginia to train in the F-4 Phantom II aircraft. He served 3 years as a fighter pilot in Fighter Squadron 41, flying 64 combat missions. He has to date flown over 40 different types of aircraft, clocking up an awe-inspiring 8,800 hours of flying time throughout his illustrious career.

Jon was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1978 and became a fully fledged astronaut in August 1979. His NASA assignments have included lead chase pilot for the maiden voyage of Columbia, pilot of STS 41-G, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on October 5, 1984, aboard the Orbiter Challenger. During their eight day mission, crew members deployed the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite, conducted scientific observations of the earth with the OSTA-3 pallet and Large Format Camera, and demonstrated potential satellite refueling with an EVA and associated hydrazine transfer.

In May 1989, Captain McBride retired from NASA and the Navy, in order to pursue a business career. He is currently a member of the Kennedy Space Center Astronaut Encounter team and will be on hand to answer questions about the new experience launching on June 29th. Tickets for the exhibition will be available from www.attraction-tickets-direct.co.uk or 0800 223 0324.

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For media information contact Joanne Hunt, Antonia Robinson or Dru Bryan on 020 7367 6745 or email joanne@goshpr.co.uk / antonia@goshpr.co.uk / dru@goshpr.co.uk