embassy events 2008 

US Astronaut, George Zamka visits Poland 

18 November 2008 

George Zamka  (more photos)

George Zamka, a pilot for Space Shuttle (STS-120) Discovery, visited Warsaw, Olsztyn, Krakow, Chorzów and Sopotnia Wielka from November 16-23, 2008, announced Cultural Attaché Chuck Ashley. He came to Poland at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy and the Polish-American Freedom Foundation. Zamka spoke at various events on the 50-year history of NASA, its new "Constellation Program," future NASA missions, and the training of an astronaut. 

On his flight on the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-120, October 23-November 7, 2007), George Zamka brought with him an Kosciuszko Squadrom patch that was produced by Polish film producer Adam Ustynowicz.  During a ceremony on November 18 at 14:00, Zamka presented this patch to the Museum of Polish Army. 

On November 17, George Zamka participated in a seminar organized by the Committee on Space Research of the Polish Academy of Science, held at 11:00 at the Public Library (Koszykowa 26/28).  This event was open to the public. That evening at a reception at the residence of U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe, Zamka helped present awards to students who participated in and won prizes in two contests. For a complete list of winners, please see below.

On November 19, Geoge Zamka visited Olsztyn to deliver a lecture at the University of Warmia & Mazury (12:00, University Library). He also gave a presentation at the Olsztyn Planetarium at 16:00.

During his trip, Zamka appeared at the Warsaw University of Technology and several local schools, including Stanislaw Staszic Gymnasium no. 91, Tadeusz Czacki High School, and the Warmia Heroes High School and Middle School in Orneta.

George Zamka also visited Krakow, Niepołomice, Chorzów and Sopotnia Wielka. 

On November 21 at 9:30 a.m. Chorzów Planeterium held a meeting for young people interested in space exploration and astronomy, where George Zamka opened the exhibit  “New Era of Discovery -50th Anniversary of NASA”.  The exhibit, prepared by the Office of Public Affairs of the US Consulate General in Krakow, presents some spectacular space photographs acquired during various NASA missions.

For more information about George Zamka’s program, please call the US Embassy at 022 504 2391.

For more details about the program in the South of Poland please check the website of the U.S. Consulate in Krakow and the next edition of Spotlight.

WINNERS of STUDENT COMPETITIONS:

Competition Sponsored by Students’ Space Association: 

Piotr Nowak            1st place

Szymon Mikulski      2nd place

Wojciech Głażewski  3rd place 

Competition Sponsored by Fundacja Wspomagania Wsi:

Name                           Hometown

Piotr Ciążyński                 Mysłowice

Michał Czeszyński             Ładzin

Marta Domagalska            Czarnowąsy

Dawid Dominiak                Tychy

Marcin Gajda                   Świętochłowice

Dawid Garus                    Bieruń

Damian Kaczmarczyk         Bieruń

Tomasz Kałuża                 Bytom

Tomasz Konrad                Radzionków

Michał Kopiec                   Krosno

Kacper Korwek                  Wydminy

Karolina Kowalewska          Rybnik

Magdalena Krzemińska        Rybnik

Krzysztof Kuna                  Bielsk Podlaski

Agnieszka Łata                  Świdnik

Maciej Miara                      Bytom

Magdalena Michalska           Świdnik

Bożena Pustelnik                Czaniec

Mateusz Radoszewski          Nowe Miasto Lubawskie

Krzysztof Rakszawski           Jankowice

Paulina Smolec                   Czaniec

Maksymilian Sokołowski        Krosno

Kinga Stecuła                     Bytom

Damian Tusień                    Gardeja

Konrad Zagórski                  Elbląg