Your Child Can Receive Interesting Things in the Mail From a NASA Astronaut
Seeing regular mail with your name on it is a drag and drop for an adult (bill, bill, bill, postcard from a realtor named Gary, bill), but it can be a thrill as a kid. Now imagine being obsessed with space and looking at the return address to read NASA’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters. Whaaaat.
In fact, your child may well write to an astronaut at NASA and receive a return mail. Really cool stuff like handwritten letters, stickers, and autographed photos. Here’s how to do it:
Select the astronaut you want to write to.
Have your child read the biographies of NASA astronauts. She may be interested in correspondence with Randy “Comrade” Bresnik , who served as the commander of the International Space Station on Expedition 53, or Christina H. Koch , who will serve as a flight engineer on Expeditions 59 and 60. If you would prefer to write to an ordinary NASA representative like this seven year old boy also works.
Write a letter.
It might be worth including a specific question. For example, Ars Technica writer Cyrus Farivar and his four-year-old son recently wrote to NASA scientist Dr. David Williams about Europa , one of Jupiter’s moons, as Williams explores planetary mapping.
Letter:
Dear Dr. David Williams:
My name is [REDACTED]. I was reading today about Europe with my dad. We have a question for you: how can we help Europa Clipper take beautiful pictures of my beloved icy moon? Love, [REDACTED], 4, and Cyrus Farivar (aka Dad), 36.
The scientist mailed a two-page handwritten letter signed “Your friend Dave.” (No, Williams is not an astronaut, but still great.)
Or request an autographed photo.
According to CollectSpace.com , you used to be able to submit requests for autographed photos from both active and retired astronauts. NASA now only responds to requests from active astronauts (those who are scheduled for upcoming flights or currently undergoing training).
Send a letter or request for an autograph by mail.
You don’t need to include return mail in a self-addressed envelope, but it doesn’t hurt.
Here is the address :
NASA / Johnson Space Center CB / Astronaut Office Houston, TX 77058
Hopefully your child will soon experience the best postal day of their life.