All Saints parisioner Ed Polewarczyk facilitated an interactive space shuttle launch presentation last weekend.

Polewarczyk, a Wiscasset resident and retired director of orbiter production and operations of the United Space Alliance, walked the audience through a possible space shuttle launch — from preparation, to flight, entry and landing — at St. John’s Church Hall on Feb. 11.

The attendees, including students of St. John’s Catholic School, got a rare glimpse of the world of an astronaut, and the trials and tribulations of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

“I looked out at the students of St. John’s and saw tomorrow’s leaders: Leaders in industry, leaders in education, leaders in the community, leaders in the church, Polewarczyk said in a prepared statement. “We are blessed to have St. John’s School in our Parish and community. They are the generation that will make all the difference.”

He joined the space shuttle program in 1974 as Rockwell International’s resident materials manager at Hamilton Standard Division of United Technologies Corporation in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Polewarczyk was responsible for components of the atmospheric revitalization system and the Freon coolant loop, the water spray boiler and the flash evaporator subsystem. During that time, he was also resident materials manager at United Technologies Power Systems Division with responsibilities for the space shuttle fuel cells.

In 1978, Polewarczyk became the resident materials manager at Sundstrand Corporation in Rockford, Illinois with responsibilities for the space shuttle auxiliary power unit, rudder speed brake actuation system and the body flap actuation system.

In 1993, became an auxiliary power unit subsystem engineer at mission control at Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, and later became the fluid and mechanical systems supervisor.

In 2000, Polewarczyk joined United Space Alliance as technical director for orbiter upgrades. At that time the objective was to upgrade the orbiter to fly to 2020 and beyond. In 2004, he became United Space Alliance’s director of orbiter production and operations, with responsibilities for orbiter modifications and operations during space shuttle missions.

For those interested, Polewarczyk is willing to offer his lecture series at other venues. Featuring improvisational acting, music and slides, his lecture is appropriate for all age groups and senior citizens. All presentations are donation based and go directly to the St. John’s Catholic School Parish Supported Scholarship Fund.

To schedule a presentation, contact Amber Wilson at St. John’s School at (207) 725-5507.