Space Science and Technology Day took off Monday as part of RPI’s bicentennial celebration.

The event honors the rich history of RPI and its promising years to come.

RPI alumnus and NASA astronaut Rick Mastracchio was there talking about his experience in orbit.

“I did nine spacewalks where I actually helped assemble the International Space Station; and very often when I would be out on a spacewalk, bolting together pieces of the space station, I always wondered how, you know, how did I get here? What a wonderful opportunity was given to me.”

The event also offered information about current RPI research and student projects focused on space.