Mar 18, 2009 8:37 am US/Eastern
After Years Of Work, Md. Native Explores Space
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (WJZ) ―
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The space shuttle Discovery lifts off from launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center March 15, 2009, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
He was raised in Maryland, but his home for the next few days is space.
Rick Arnold, 45, is one of seven astronauts who are currently aboard space shuttle Discovery.
Alex DeMetrick reports it's a far different workplace than the Charles County classrooms where Arnold once taught science.
Discovery's destination is the International Space Station, and the most dangerous work an astronaut can do. Multiple space walks are being done to complete the last big construction job.
Tools for that work have become familiar to Rick Arnold, but then learning has been a big part of the former school teacher's life.
"The one thing we do have in common is education was a really important part of who we were growing up, and even as adults. So those dreams are all out there for these kids to realize who are sitting in school today," said Arnold.
The kids Arnold taught are adults now. But for three years, he taught science at John Hanson Middle School in Charles County.
Patty Dorsey was vice principal in 1989, and Arnold was just starting out. He was a first year teacher who grew up in Bowie.
"I think we all knew teaching was not going to be the last stop for Rick. He did a lot of very special kids with the kids, and I think that made him even more special to them," Dorsey said.
He started the environment club and coached sports.
"He handled it well. He really did," said Chris Smith, a teacher. "That's one characteristic about him. He has such a positive attitude, and he just rolls with the punches."
Arnold's training is not as a teacher along for the ride, but as a working astronaut who will help install the International Space Station's last solar panel array.
Still, the school hopes Arnold will some day return for a visit, sharing experiences collected a long way from Charles County.
This isn't just Rick Arnold's first flight. He is joined by another rookie astronaut who once taught school in California. It's the first shuttle flight ever to carry two educators.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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