Cunard has announced its speaker line-up for its second annual Transatlantic Space Week. The nine-night voyage on the flagship, Queen Mary 2, departs New York October 7, 2018 and arrives in Southampton October 16, 2018. It coincides with International World Space Week.

On tap for the journey are several space-themed experiences and lectures from space explorers. They include Dr. Jeffery Hoffman, a former NASA astronaut and Shuttle pilot. Hoffman made five space flights, becoming the first astronaut to log 1,000 hours of flight time aboard the Space Shuttle. He is now Professor of Aerospace Engineering in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Robin Scagell of the Royal Astronomical Society, will also speak. She is a lifelong astronomer and the author of numerous books including Complete Guide to Stargazing, 101 Things to Spot in the Night Sky, The Urban Astronomy Guide.

Dr Lawrence Kuznetz, a former flight controller during Apollo and a 40-year veteran of the space program is on the roster, as well. Kuznetz helped to build the space shuttles and is a former Life Science Experiment Manager for the International Space Station.

“Throughout Cunard’s history the line has been synonymous with adventure and exploration, and we are excited to offer our guests the opportunity to learn about the vast wonders of space from some of the greatest explorers of our time,” said Josh Leibowitz, senior vice president, Cunard North America.

“Our acclaimed Insights program creates a unique opportunity for our guests to interact with experts from around the world.”

Queen Mary 2 features a full-sized planetarium on board, offering constellation shows and virtual reality rides on Transatlantic Crossings. A partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society provides specially-curated shows for passengers.