Sullenberger

One year ago January 15, 2009 US Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency landing in the Hudson River. Monday morning January 4 we had the honour of welcoming Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger to Johnson Space Center. Introducing him, JSC Director Michael Coats noted that NASA astronauts are also trained in dead-stick landings. Sullenberger's father let him stay home from school to watch Mercury flights. He was inspired by the precision of engineering and the freedom of flight. Later in the day Sullenberger visited Mission Control and spoke on the telephone with Expedition 22 astronauts.

With a lifetime of experience in safety, Sullenberger has learned many valuable lessons:

"There's always a way to make your own little part of the world a little better. Now, I know - I acknowledge - that faced with the enormities of the world's complexities and its issues, it sometimes feels easy to give up. Sometimes, it looks like facing new challenges is akin to emptying the ocean with a teaspoon. But when you choose - and it is a choice - to make positive differences to the things you can control, you can bring benefit to the world."