Astronaut, retired U.S. Navy captain, and best-selling author Mark Kelly will be the featured lecturer during the next Maverick Speakers Series presentation at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 at UT Arlington's Texas Hall, 701 S. Nedderman.

The topic of his talk: " Endeavoring to Build a Better America." A question-and-answer session and book signing follow the lecture. Tickets are free, but required. Preferred seating is $25. Tickets will be available beginning at 10 a.m. today at www.utatickets.com.

As an astronaut, Kelly flew his first of four missions in 2001 aboard the space shuttle Endeavour, which he commanded on its final flight in May 2011. He became the center of international attention after the 2011 assassination attempt on his wife, former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Kelly's identical twin brother is also an astronaut, and they are the only twins and only siblings to have both traveled in space.

The next Maverick Speakers Series presentation for the 2012-13 season features conservationist Jeff Corwin on Wednesday, March 27, at College Park Center.