The following is an edited version of NASA Astronaut Bonnie J. Dunbar's Plenary Address at the 1990 MRS Fall Meeting.

I've often been asked, “Why a materials scientist in space?” I hope my presentation tonight will provide a little more insight on “why.” I don't think it's unusual at all. I look at myself as a continuum between outer space and inner space. I've been equally fascinated looking at the stars as at atomic structures under scanning electron microscopes. So to me it's not an unusual experience. In addition, materials scientists and engineers are needed to operate in space.

Tonight I would like to do several things. I'd like to talk to you about where we've been in space, where we are, and where we hope to go. I'll emphasize the materials aspect of it, not only in how we achieved space, but how we hope to exploit the microgravity environment of space. I have with me “home movies” of a Shuttle Mission I flew on in January 1990. You'Il share with me the experience of performing research as well as retrieving the long-duration exposure facility (LDEF) with a robotic arm.