New Items

• My blog, Flight Notes, has my latest observations on space and history.
• I'm writing a new book, "Mission: Asteroid," due out in early 2013. In it, I'll detail the hazards, mysteries, and riches of our nearest neighbors in space. Accompanying it will be a young reader version, "Asteroid." Watch for updates here.
• I'll join NASA and international experts in discussions in late May on how to respond to potentially hazardous asteroids. As chairman of the Association of Space Explorer's Committee on Near-Earth Objects, I will participate in discussions with the U.N.'s Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in June 2012, aimed at preventing a NEO (Near-Earth Object) impact.
• I spoke to a standing-room-only, video-overflow audience of hundreds at Florida Institute of Human and Machine Cognition, in Pensacola, on Mar. 8, 2012. My talk was "Getting to Know the Asteroid in Your Future." Watch! Then, click the "Speaking" tab to see my upcoming appearances and tap me for your upcoming event.
• "Battleship" might be a summer movie blockbuster, but check out a true story of heroism -- in WWII? Top-selling Hell Hawks! is our immensely readable and exactingly researched account of an aerial band of brothers flying the P-47 Thunderbolt in WWII Europe. It makes a great gift as the 68th anniversary of D-Day approaches on June 6, 2012. Order.
• My latest article "Snaring a Piece of the Sky" is in Aerospace America magazine's May 2012 issue. Click the "Writing" tab on this site.
• NASA will explore Mars with a new rover, Curiosity, due to land on the red planet this August. See my column on the Mars Science Lab mission at Headline Bistro from Nov. 28, 2011: Read here.

Multimedia

I spoke about my new book, Planetology, at the University of Houston, Clear Lake, on Jan. 9, 2009. My talk was part of the Space Center Lecture Series. Watch here.

At a speech at the British Columbia Institute of Technology in April 2008, I discussed how the space shuttle and space station will help us return to the Moon. Watch here.

I discussed the Hell Hawks! story as a guest on Crosstalk, syndicated nationally, on July 3, 2008. Listen here.

In March 2006, I discussed the genesis and experiences behind Sky Walking in a 13-minute interview with Bill Thompson of "Eye on Books." Listen here.

Writing:

Although Tom's newest book is Planetology (see Home Page), you can still purchase Sky Walking: An Astronaut's Memoir. Tom's memoir was named one of the "Five Best" space books by The Wall Street Journal on Dec. 30, 2006. It's an insider's gripping account of four space shuttle missions, and a frank look of their emotional impact on his family. If you want to know what spaceflight is really like, read Sky Walking.
Order at Amazon.com

Tom is a regular columnist for Aerospace America magazine. Look for his column, "The View From Here," for an astronaut's perspective on current space exploration topics.

On the right: Tom speaks to school audiences in Wenatchee, Wash. in September 2008. The Association of Space Explorers-sponsored visit was aimed at motivating future explorers, who may one day carry our dreams to Mars.

Speaking:

Tom continues to entertain, educate, and motivate audiences across the country with his engaging presentations. Each talk is tailored specifically for the audience, and Tom works closely with the group to determine how best to meet the organization's requirements.

To inquire about scheduling Tom for your next event, please contact The HarperCollins Speakers Bureau.

Consulting:

Tom is a senior scientist with Florida's Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (Pensacola), working on a variety of projects focused on NASA's future human exploration programs.

With the Association of Space Explorers' Near Earth Object Committee, I participate in U.N. deliberations on the international decision-making necessary to avert a future asteroid impact. ASE continues to support NASA's efforts to quantify the asteroid hazard, predict impacts, and plan for an international deflection campaign, should one be needed. The ASE's proposal (Asteroid Threats: A Call for Global Response) initiated work on developing, within the U.N.'s Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, a formal international process for defending Earth against hazardous asteroids. Work continues during 2012.

Enjoy the rest of the website.
Best wishes, Tom Jones

Updated May 2012.