Former NASA Commander Urges Students to Vote in Midterm Elections

Students and community members gathered in Talley Student Union on Oct. 29 to hear how the weightless environment of space relates to the weight of a ballot. Steve Frick, a former NASA pilot, addressed the crowd to connect his professional history with the upcoming midterm elections. The event aimed to convert the excitement of space exploration into practical civic action for college-aged voters.

Frick served as a commander for two missions, STS-110 and STS-122, during which he spent more than 565 hours assembling the International Space Station. Before joining NASA, he logged over 4,300 hours piloting Navy aircraft, including combat missions in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His final landing of the Atlantis space shuttle occurred in 2008. He described his career milestones to the audience, moving from the Naval Academy to the final moments of his shuttle flight.

The presentation was part of a partnership between Pack the Polls and Astronauts For America, a nonpartisan group of more than 100 former NASA astronauts. The organization travels on a national tour to promote American values and civic engagement. Alexa Hill, a student co-leader for Pack the Polls, introduced Frick. The group believes that the oath taken to support the Constitution does not expire upon retirement from space exploration.

Frick argued that individual votes carry substantial power, particularly in close races like those expected in North Carolina. He emphasized that high turnout among young voters creates a collective impact that defies the feeling of being a single voice in a large population. He encouraged attendees to research candidates who align with the founding principles of the nation, including the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power.

The audience engaged with detailed accounts of spaceflight and accompanying photographs. Frick noted his impression with the voting resources available on the Pack the Polls website, which provides quick information for registered voters. He expressed pleasure at the enthusiastic student population and the beautiful campus at NC State.

During the Q&A session, Frick addressed the defunding of federal scientific research. He avoided partisan explanations and instead focused on NASA's ability to adapt to changing circumstances. He highlighted the impressive capabilities of the scientific engineering laboratories at NC State, which he toured with his wife, Jennifer Radigan. Early voting concluded on Oct. 31, with Election Day voting scheduled for Nov. 3 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.