NASA astronaut discusses future of space program

NASA Astronaut Mike Hopkins delivered the commencement address on Saturday at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Hopkins himself graduated from the U of I in 1991, and he was aboard with the International Space Station for six months until his return to Earth in March. Speaking with Illinois Public Radio’s Sean Powers, Hopkins shares his experiences in orbit and thoughts about the future of the space program.
 
That was Astronaut Mike Hopkins speaking with Illinois Public Radio’s Sean Powers. NASA retired the space shuttle program in 2011. Hopkins says he plans to work with NASA to again send astronauts to orbit from American soil within the next few years.