School pupils from Inverness-shire and Ross-shire will receive a unique insight into space travel next week - from someone who has actually been there.

NASA astronaut Mike Baker has experienced several space flights and commanded the Atlantis shuttle which docked with the Russian space station Mir in 1997.

NASA engineer Tanya Lippincott specialises in the design of autonomous systems. 

They will both share their experiences with pupils from Aviemore and Alvie Primary Schools and Millburn Academy on Monday. Fortrose and Alness Academies and Dingwall Promary Schools will be visited on Tuesday.

Each year, NASA astronauts and scientists visit Scottish schools as part of Careers Scotland's Festival of Science and Enterprise. This is a two week programme of events across Scotland to inspire young people and encourage them to study science and consider it as a career. 

Mike Baker was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and gained a BSc in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas in 1975. He became a captain in the US Navy and was accepted for the astronaut programme in 1985. 

He flew his first shuttle mission in 1991 and from March to October 1995 was director of operations for NASA at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Russia, working on the historic shuttle-Mir programme.

Tanya Lippincott is a graduate from the University of New Mexico. She is currently working on a project designing systems for future exploration. 

They will be speaking to school pupils, delivering three visit programmes: 

• Rocket science for beginners - a presentation for primary pupils on space, designed to inspire and excite lively and enquiring minds.
• Blast off to science - a presentation for secondary school pupils (S1/2) to inspire them to select two science subjects to study at standard grade.
• Science masterclass - a presentation for students in upper secondary school who already have an interest in science and technology and encourage them to pursue careers in this field on leaving school.

Catriona Eagle, Careers Scotland director (Highlands and Islands Enterprise), said that both Mike and Tanya were inspiring speakers whose example could set young people thinking about their own career options.

"It's extremely valuable for young people to meet people who have set their sights on a particular goal and succeeded in achieving it," said Catriona.

"Mike Baker and Tanya Lippincott's experiences tell pupils that, with talent and determination, it's possible to carve out a career in whatever field you choose. The visit to the Highlands will be a remarkable opportunity for the area's school pupils to meet some of the world's leading scientists." 

There are more than 20 astronauts, cosmonauts and scientists in Scotland as guests of Careers Scotland to support the Festival of Science and Enterprise.