145: Author Patrick Mullane and Astronaut Mike Mullane

Mike Mullane is a NASA astronaut who has written several award-winning and popular books detailing his space exploration experience. Years later, his son, Patrick Mullane, would also write a popular book about his own unique experience watching his father become an astronaut. Both accomplished veterans, Mike and Patrick sit down with Beth on Veteran's Day to share some of their (hilarious) stories and (sincere) reflections, and even make a few predictions about the future of space exploration (Dad jokes in space?) on this episode of Casual Space. Don't miss this one- Mike and Patrick are some of the best storytellers you've ever heard!

About Mike Mullane: https://mikemullane.com/

Colonel Mullane was born September 10, 1945 in Wichita Falls, Texas but spent much of his youth in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he currently resides. He was a child of the space race and in the late 1950's embarked on his own rocket experiments in the deserts near his home. Upon his graduation from West Point in 1967, he was commissioned in the United States Air Force. As a Weapon Systems Operator aboard RF-4C Phantom aircraft, he completed 134 combat missions in Vietnam.

He holds a Master's of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and is also a graduate of the Air Force Flight Test Engineer School at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Mullane was selected as a Mission Specialist in 1978 in the first group of Space Shuttle Astronauts. He completed three space missions aboard the Shuttles Discovery (STS-41D) and Atlantis (STS-27 & 36) before retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 1990.

Mullane has been inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame and is the recipient of many awards, including the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit and the NASA Space Flight Medal.

Since his retirement from NASA, Colonel Mullane has written an award-winning children's book, Liftoff! An Astronaut's Dream, and a popular space-fact book, Do Your Ears Pop In Space? His memoir, Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut, has been reviewed in the New York Times and on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. It has also been featured on Barnes and Noble's recommended summer reading list.

About Patrick Mullane: https://www.pjmullane.com/

Patrick Mullane is the Executive Director of Harvard Business School Online. He brings over 20 years of management experience across several industries to the position. As Executive Director, he is responsible for managing HBS Online's growth, expansion in global markets, and long-term success. HBS Online leverages Harvard Business School's reputation for excellence and impact in business education and the broader business community, as well as the vast intellectual property, academic pedagogy, and faculty talent of the School to be the premier provider of high-quality digital business education.

Prior to joining HBS Online, Patrick was the CEO of Fabrico, Inc., an industrial manufacturing company that was purchased by Technetics, Inc. in 2014. Subsequent to the sale of Fabrico, he served as vice president and general manager in Technetics' industrial turbine portfolio. Before earning his MBA, Patrick served as a captain in a U.S. Air Force intelligence organization. He has also been an early employee of a technology startup, managed Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions' Washington DC market, and worked for a telecommunications equipment company.