Houston Matters

Astronaut Discusses Helping His Kids Deal with Him Being Away for Long Periods

In the first in a series of discussions with Houston parents whose jobs can take them away from their kids, we hear from former astronaut Kenneth Cockrell about the challenges of being a parent working in space during the height of the Shuttle program. Cockrell was born in Austin, but considers his home Rockdale, a town about […]

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In the first in a series of discussions with Houston parents whose jobs can take them away from their kids, we hear from former astronaut Kenneth Cockrell about the challenges of being a parent working in space during the height of the Shuttle program.

Cockrell was born in Austin, but considers his home Rockdale, a town about 40 miles outside of College Station. He became an astronaut in 1991 and is a veteran of five spaceflights.

He spoke with Houston Matters’ Edel Howlin about what it meant to be a parent during that time, beginning with how he became an astronaut and a dad at the same time.

SHARE YOUR STORY: Are you or someone you know away from your family for long periods because of a job? Share your story at talk@houstonmatters.org.

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