HOUSTON – (Feb. 26, 2019) – As one of the most influential figures in NASA’s history, former Johnson Space Center director George Abbey served a key role in shaping the Apollo moon missions and the space shuttle program.

The longtime Houstonian's remarkable career will be the focus of a March 4 conversation with Abbey, now the senior fellow in space policy at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, and author Michael Cassutt, whose new biography, “The Astronaut Maker: How One Mysterious Engineer Ran Human Spaceflight for a Generation,” chronicles Abbey’s rise from Air Force pilot to NASA power broker.

The event, hosted by the Baker Institute's Space Policy Program, is free and open to the public. Registration is required at www.bakerinstitute.org/events/1984.

Who: George Abbey, senior fellow in space policy at the Baker Institute, and Michael Cassutt, an American television producer, screenwriter and author.

What: A presentation titled "The Astronaut Maker: How One Mysterious Engineer Ran Human Spaceflight for a Generation."

When: Monday, March 4, 6-7 p.m. A reception will be at 7.

Where: Rice University, James A. Baker III Hall, Kelly International Conference Facility, 6100 Main St.

A book signing will follow the presentation. Copies of the book will be available for purchase from the Rice University Campus Store.

A live webcast of the event will be available at www.bakerinstitute.org/events/1984.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media should park in the Central Campus Garage (underground).