Lynchburg-born astronaut Leland Melvin is roughly 230 miles above Earth, but that’s not stopping him from talking to his fans. Melvin, a University of Richmond graduate, is beaming missives to land-based space enthusiasts via Twitter under the name “Astro_Flow.“ “An amazingly beautiful launch & long day,“ Melvin said in a Twitter message dated Nov. 18 at 10:14 a.m. “Looked out the overhead window thru my wrist mirror. To all who helped make it happen Thank you.“

Cynicism comes easily when the topic is college athletics. So much money is in play. Coaches who earn seven-figure salaries talk about “student-athletes,“ but their primary interest is the “athlete” and contract bonus clauses. Then, there are those “student-athletes” who show up at a gas station armed with a pellet gun or get involved with the community through late-night fights in bars.

Space shuttle Atlantis rocketed into orbit yesterday with six astronauts and a full load of spare parts for the International Space Station. The supply run should keep the space station humming for years to come, and the shuttle astronauts in space through Thanksgiving.

Space shuttle Atlantis rocketed into orbit Monday with six astronauts and a full load of spare parts for the International Space Station.

The Lynchburg Museum is shaking up its exhibits, adding new items such as a flight suit worn by Leland Melvin and a Civil War-era jacket donned by a Lynchburg woman in protest of the city’s occupation by Union forces. Director Doug Harvey said the museum has switched out dozens of items on display since its grand reopening last year. “We’re trying to keep the museum fresh,“ he said. “It sounds odd to say we have new artifacts to see, but I haven’t found a better way of saying it yet.“

Three living recipients of the 2009 African American Trailblazers in Virginia History honor credited others who came before them for making their achievements possible. Claudia Whitworth, publisher of the Roanoke Tribune newspaper; blues musician John Cephas; and astronaut Leland Melvin were among eight Virginians recognized at the Library of Virginia tonight. The other recipients were honored posthumously.

Anastasia Johnson shared a chair with her best friend, Chalise Lewis, and got the VIP view of classic cars, riders on horseback, and a yellow dancing dragon carried by nine helpers in yesterday’s Christmas Parade in downtown Richmond.

University of Richmond graduate Leland Melvin logged several million miles in his first visit to space. Now he’s going to qualify for frequent-flier miles, astronaut style. Melvin is one of two Virginia natives NASA has assigned to the crew of the space shuttle Discovery’s planned mission for October 2009. Discovery is to deliver parts to the International Space Station, including two spare gyroscopes, on a mission that will also feature four spacewalks.

University of Richmond graduate and Lynchburg native Leland Melvin is going back into the stratosphere. Melvin is one of two Virginia natives NASA has assigned to the crew of the space shuttle Discovery’s planned mission for October 2009. The flight will deliver parts to the International Space Station, including two spare gyroscopes, and the mission will feature four spacewalks.

LYNCHBURG—Leland Melvin, Lynchburg's most famous astronaut, will be back in his hometown next week for another honor. The Heritage High School graduate will attend his alma mater's football game against E.C. Glass on Friday, when his number is to be retired. Melvin, who has several local commitments in Lynchburg that day, will participate in a special halftime event at City Stadium. He also will narrate a piece for the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra next Saturday at E.C. Glass.

Melvin says education carried him when first goal fell through.

LYNCHBURG—Astronaut Leland Melvin had a packed agenda yesterday during his first trip to his hometown since his February space flight.

Leland D. Melvin will speak at the "Reach for the Stars II" program at the University of Richmond. Astronaut Leland D. Melvin recently returned to Earth from the International Space Station. He will return to his alma mater, the University of Richmond, for the "Reach for the Stars II" program next Sunday. During the visit, Melvin will share his experiences as an astronaut and discuss his recent mission to the space station. The program features a multimedia presentation and question-and-answer session.

The Virginia Historical Society yesterday launched a Web-based educational program aimed at increasing access to its trove of African-American items.

Astronaut Leland Melvin's longest exploration ended where it began.