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NASA Astronaut Biographies- B
NAME: James P. Bagian (M.D.,P.E.)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born February 22, 1952, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
His parents, Philip and Rose Bagian, reside there.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown hair; blue eyes; height: 5 feet 11 inches; weight: 162 pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, in 1969; received a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical
Engineering from Drexel University in 1973, and a doctorate in Medicine from
Thomas Jefferson University in 1977.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Tandi M. Benson of Seattle, Washington. Her parents, Boyd andarbara Benson, reside there.
CHILDREN: Krista Rose, February 20, 1985; Kimberly Anne, April 9,1987.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys bicycling, backpacking, climbing, swimming, flying, and racquet srts; as well as cabinetmaking and automobile rebuilding.
ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the College of Emergency Physicians, the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers; life member of the Society of NASA Flight
Surgeons; and member of Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigma, Pi Tau Sigma, and Tau
Beta Pi.
SPECIAL HONORS: U.S. Army ROTC Superior Cadet Award (1970), graduated first in
class from Drexel University (1973), Orthopedics Prize from Jefferson
University (1977), and Honor Graduate (first in class) from USAF Flight
Surgeons School (1979).
EXPERIENCE: Bagian worked as a process engineer for the 3M Company in Bristol,
Pennsylvania, in 1973, and later as a mechanical engineer at the U.S. Naval Air
Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland, from 1976 to 1978, and at the same
time, pursued studies for his doctorate. Upon graduating from Thomas Jefferson
University in 1977, Dr. Bagian completed one year of general surgery residency
with the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. He subsequently
went to work as a flight surgeon and research medical officer at the Lyndon B.
Johnson Space Center in 1978, while concurrently completing studies at the USAF
Flight Surgeons School and USAF School of Aerospace Medicine in San Antonio,
Texas. He was completing a residency in anesthesiology at the University of
Pennsylvania when notified of his selection by NASA for the astronaut candidate
program. Dr. Bagian received his Professional Engineers Certification in 1986,
and was board certified in Aerospace Medicine by the American College of
Preventive Medicine in 1987. Since 1981 Dr. Bagian has been active in the
mountain rescue community and has served as a member of the Denali Medical
Research Project on Mt. McKinley. He has also been a snow and ice rescue
techniques instructor on Mt, Hood during this period. He has a private pilot's
license and has logged over 1,000 hours flying time in propeller and jet
aircraft, helicopters, and gliders.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Bagian became a NASA astronaut in August 1981. He took part
in both the planning and provision of emergency medical and rescue support for
the first six Shuttle flights. He also served as the astronaut office
coordinator for Space Shuttle payload software and crew equipment, as well as
supporting the development of a variety of payloads, and participating in the
verification of Space Shuttle flight software. In 1986 Dr. Bagian served as an
investigator for the 51-L accident board and has been responsible for the
development of the pressure suit and various other crew survival equipment to
be used on future Shuttle missions. Dr. Bagian has also been a member of the
NASA Headquarters Research Animal Holding Facility Review Board. Dr. Bagian
was a mission specialist on the crew of STS-29, which launched from Kennedy
Space Center, Florida, aboard the Orbiter Discovery, on March 13, 1989. During
this highly successful five day mission, the crew deployed a Tracking and Data
Relay Satellite, and performed numerous secondary experiments, including a
Space Station "heat pipe" radiator experiment, two student experiments, a
protein crystal growth experiment, and a chromosome and plant cell division
experiment. In addition, the crew took over 3,000 photographs of the earth
using several types of cameras, including the IMAX 70 mm movie camera. Mission
duration was 80 orbits and concluded with a landing at Edwards Air Force Base,
California, on March 18, 1989. With the completion of his first flight, he has
logged 119 hours in space.
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Dr. Bagian is assigned as a mission specialist on STS-40,
a dedicated space and life sciences mission scheduled for launch in June 1990.
NAME: Ellen S. Baker (M.D.)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born April 27, 1953, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, but
considers New York as her hometown. Her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Melvin Shulman,
reside in Beechhurst, New York.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown hair; brown eyes; height: 5 feet 9 inches;
weight: 140 pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Bayside High School, New York, New York, in 1970;
received a bachelor of arts degree in Geology from the State University of New
York at Buffalo in 1974, and a doctorate in Medicine degree from Cornell
University in 1978.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Kenneth J. Baker. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. James
Baker, reside in Columbus, Ohio.
CHILDREN: Karen Sarah, September 18, 1988.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: She enjoys swimming, skiing, running, softball,
movies, music, and reading.
EXPERIENCE: After completing medical school, Dr. Baker trained in Internal
Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas.
In 1981, after three years of training, she was certified by the American Board
of Internal Medicine.
NASA EXPERIENCE: In 1981, following her residency, Dr. Baker joined NASA as a
medical officer at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. That same year, she
graduated with honors from the Air Force Aerospace Medicine Primary Course at
Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Prior to her selection as an
astronaut candidate she served as a physician in the Flight Medicine Clinic at
the Johnson Space Center.
Selected by NASA in May 1984, Dr. Baker became an astronaut in June 1985,
qualified for assignment as a mission specialist on future Space Shuttle flight
crews. Her technical assignments to date have included flight crew procedures,
flight software verification, operations and engineering support activities,
and Space Station support activities.
Dr. Baker was a mission specialist on STS-34. The crew aboard Shuttle Orbiter
Atlantis launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on October 18, 1989, and
landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on October 23, 1989. During the
mission crew members successfully deployed the Galileo spacecraft on its
journey to explore Jupiter, operated the Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet
Instrument (SSBUV) to map atmospheric ozone, conducted several medical
experiments, and numerous scientific experiments involving radiation
measurements, polymer morphology, lightning research, microgravity effects on
plants, and a student experiment on ice crystal growth in space. Mission
duration was 79 orbits of the earth. With the completion of this flight, Dr.
Baker has logged a total of 119 hours and 41 minutes in space.
OCTOBER 1989
NAME: Michael A. Baker (Commander, USN)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born October 27, 1953, in Memphis, Tennessee, but
considers Lemoore, California, to be his hometown. His parents, Mr. & Mrs.
Clyde E. Baker, reside in Lemoore, California.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown hair; blue eyes; height: 6 feet 2 inches;
weight: 175 pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Lemoore Union High School, Lemoore, California, in
1971; received a bachelor of science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the
University of Texas in 1975.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Deidra A. Mudurian of San Francisco,
California. Her mother, Mrs. Patricia TeStruth, resides in San Jose,
California. Her father, Mr. Myron Mudurian, resides in Akron, Ohio.
CHILDREN: Lesley Anne, November 5, 1979; Jane Ashley, June 5, 1982.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys tennis, swimming, hiking, and sailing.
ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Association
of Naval Aviation, the Tailhook Association, Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi, and
Veterans of Foreign Wars.
SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, 3 Meritorious Unit
Commendations, Battle "E" Award, 3 Navy Expeditionary Medals, 2 Sea Service
Awards, and the Overseas Service Award.
EXPERIENCE: After graduation from the University of Texas, Baker completed
flight training and earned his Wings of Gold at NAS Chase Field, Beeville,
Texas, in 1977. In 1978, he was assigned to Attack Squadron 56, embarked in
the USS Midway, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, where he flew the A-7E Corsair
II. In late 1980 he was assigned to Carrier Air Wing 30 as the air wing
landing signal officer. He attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1981
and, after graduation, was assigned to the Carrier Suitability Branch of the
Strike Aircraft Test Directorate. While there, Baker conducted carrier
suitability structural tests, aircraft carrier catapult and arresting gear
certification tests, and automatic carrier landing system certification and
verification tests on the various aircraft carriers of the Navy's Fleet in the
A-7 aircraft. In 1983 he returned to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School as an
instructor. He was then assigned as the U.S. Navy Exchange Instructor at the
Empire Test Pilots School in Boscombe Down, England, teaching performance,
flying qualities and systems flight test techniques.
He has logged over 3,300 hours flying time in approximately 50 different types
of airplanes, including tactical jets, VSTOL, multi-engine transport and rotary
wing aircraft, and has over 300 carrier landings.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Baker was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in June
1985. In July 1986 he completed a one year training and evaluation program,
qualifying him for assignment as a pilot on future Space Shuttle flight crews.
Following the Challenger accident, from January 1986 to December 1987, Baker
was assigned as a member of the team that was pursuing redesign, modification
and improvements to the Shuttle Landing and Deceleration Systems, including
nosewheel steering, brakes, tires, and drag chute, in an effort to provide
greater safety margins during landing and rollout. He was then assigned to the
Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL), where he was involved in the
checkout and verification of the computer software and hardware interfaces for
STS-26 (the "return to flight" mission) and subsequent flights.
Baker served as an Ascent Entry and Orbit Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) for
STS-27, STS-29, STS-30, STS-28, STS-34, STS-33, STS-32, STS-36, STS-31, STS-38,
and STS-35. In this capacity his duties included communication with the
Shuttle crew during simulations and actual missions, as well as working
procedural problems and modifications between missions.
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Baker will serve as pilot on the crew of STS-43. This
mission will deploy the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-E, and is
scheduled for launch in June 1991, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.
JANUARY 1991
NAME: John E. Blaha (Colonel, USAF)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born August 26, 1942, in San Antonio, Texas. His mother,
Mrs. Frances E. Blaha, resides in San Antonio. His father was the late Colonel
Elmer C. Blaha, USAF.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown hair; brown eyes; height: 5 feet 9 inches; weight:
175 pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Granby High School in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1960;
received a bachelor of science degree in Engineering Science from the United
States Air Force Academy in 1965; and a master of science degree in
Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University in 1966.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Brenda I. Walters of St. Louis,
Missouri. Her mother, Mrs. Della Walters, resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Her
father, Mr. Henderson Walters, is deceased.
CHILDREN: James H., February 19, 1966; Steven A., December 6, 1969; and
Carolyn A., July 26, 1973.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys golf and tennis.
ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, the Air
Force Academy Association of Graduates, the Purdue Alumni Association, and the
Association of Space Explorers.
SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, the Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 18 Air Medals, an Air
Force Commendation Medal, the British Air Force Cross, the Vietnam Cross of
Gallantry, the Purdue Engineering Astronaut Alumnus Award, the NASA Exceptional
Service Award, and 2 NASA Space Flight Medals. Outstanding Pilot, F-4 Combat
Crew Training. Outstanding Junior Officer of the Year, 3rd Tactical Fighter
Wing. Distinguished Graduate Air Force Test Pilot School. Distinguished
Graduate Air Command and Staff College.
EXPERIENCE: Blaha received his pilot wings at Williams Air Force Base,
Arizona, in 1967. He was subsequently assigned as an operational pilot flying
F-4, F-102, F-106 and A-37, aircraft (completing 361 combat missions in
Vietnam).
He attended the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base,
California, in 1971, and piloted the NF-104 research aircraft to 104,400 feet.
Following graduation, he served as an F-104 instructor pilot at the test pilot
school, teaching low lift-to-drag approach, zoom, performance,
stability/control, and spin flight test techniques.
In 1973, he was assigned as a test pilot working with the Royal Air Force at
the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down, United
Kingdom. During his 3-year tour, he flew stability/control, performance, spin,
and weapons delivery flight tests in the Jaguar, Buccaneer, Hawk, and Jet
Provost aircraft.
He returned to the United States in 1976, to attend the USAF Air Command and
Staff College. After graduation, he was assigned to work for the Assistant
Chief of Staff, Studies and Analyses, at Headquarters USAF in the Pentagon.
During this tour, he presented F-15 and F-16 study results to Department of
Defense, State Department, and congressional staffs.
He has logged 5,000 hours of flying time in 33 different aircraft.
He has written numerous technical articles on spacecraft performance and
control.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Col. Blaha was selected as an astronaut in May 1980. He was
assigned to the Space Shuttle ascent/entry development team, and led the
design, development, and integration of the Orbiter Head Up Display System.
In 1983 and 1984, Col. Blaha worked as an ascent, orbit, planning, and entry
Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) in the Mission Control Center for seven Shuttle
flights. He was the lead CAPCOM for STS-41D and STS-41G missions.
In January 1985 he was assigned as the pilot of the STS-61H mission scheduled
to launch in June 1986. Following the Challenger tragedy, he was assigned to
the Orbiter Project Office, and made significant contributions to many Space
Shuttle hardware modifications. During this period he also led the development
of contingency abort procedures which significantly improve crew survivability
in the event of multiple main engine failures during ascent.
In February 1988, Col. Blaha was assigned as the pilot of STS-29. The 5-man
crew launched on the Discovery on March 13, 1989, and landed at Edwards Air
Force Base on March 18, 1989. During this very successful mission the crew
deployed a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, and performed the following
experiments:
Space Station Heat Pipe Advanced Radiator Element.
Protein Crystal Growth.
Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space.
Chicken Embryo Development in Space.
The Effects of Weightlessness in Space Flight on the Healing of Bone Fractures.
IMAX Film Medium.
Air Force Maui Optical Site Calibration Test.
Inertial Measurement Unit Recovery.
The crew also took 3,000 photographs of the earth, to be used in the future by
geologists, oceanographers, and meteorologists.
More recently, Col. Blaha was pilot on the crew of STS-33 which launched, at
night, from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on November 22, 1989, aboard the
Space Shuttle Discovery. The five day mission carried Department of Defense
payloads and other secondary payloads. After 79 orbits of the earth, this five
day mission concluded on November 27, 1989, with a hard surface landing on
Runway 04 at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
With the completion of his second mission, Col. Blaha has logged a total of 239
hours in space.
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Commander of STS-43, a five day mission aboard Discovery
Space Shuttle scheduled for launch in June 1991. The mission will deploy a
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite and conduct scientific experiments to support
the Extended Duration Orbiter, Space Station Freedom, medical research,
materials research, and earth environmental research.
JANUARY 1991
NAME: Guion S. Bluford, Jr. (Colonel, USAF)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 22, 1942.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Black hair; brown eyes; height: 6 feet; weight: 180
pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Overbrook Senior High School in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, in 1960; received a bachelor of science degree in Aerospace
Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in 1964; a master of science
degree with distinction in Aerospace Engineering from the Air Force Institute
of Technology in 1974; a doctor of philosophy in Aerospace Engineering with a
minor in Laser Physics from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1978, and
a master in business administration from the University of Houston, Clear Lake,
in 1987.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Linda Tull of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
CHILDREN: Guion Stewart III, June 12, 1964; James Trevor, October 25, 1965.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: His hobbies include reading, swimming, jogging,
racquetball, handball, and scuba.
ORGANIZATIONS: Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics, and member of the Air Force Association, Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Iota
Epsilon, National Technical Association, and Tuskegee Airmen.
SPECIAL HONORS: Presented the Leadership Award of Phi Delta Kappa (1962); the
National Defense Service Medal (1965); Vietnam Campaign Medal (1967); Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry with Palm (1967); Vietnam Service Medal (1967); 10 Air Force
Air Medals (1967); 3 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards (1967, 1970, 1972); the
Germany Air Force Aviation Badge from the Federal Republic of West Germany
(1969); T-38 Instructor Pilot of the Month (1970); Air Training Command
Outstanding Flight Safety Award (1970); an Air Force Commendation Medal (1972);
the Air Force Institute of Technology's Mervin E. Gross Award (1974); Who's Who
Among Black Americans 1975-1977; an Air Force Meritorious Service Award (1978);
National Society of Black Engineers Distinguished National Scientist Award
(1979); two NASA Group Achievement Awards (1980 and 1981); the Pennsylvania
State University Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award (1983), an
Alumni Fellows Award (1986), USAF Command Pilot Astronaut Wings (1983), NASA
Space Flight Medal (1983 & 1985), Ebony Black Achievement Award (1983), NAACP
Image Award (1983), Who's Who in America (1983), Pennsylvania's Distinguished
Service Medal (1984), Defense Superior Service Medal,Defense Meritorious
Service Medal, the New York City Urban League's Whitney Young Memorial Award,
and honorary doctorate degrees from Florida A&M University, Texas Southern
University, Virginia State University, Morgan State University, Stevens
Institute of Technology, Tuskegee Institute, Bowie State College, Thomas
Jefferson University, Chicago State University, and Georgian Court College.
EXPERIENCE: Bluford graduated from Penn State University in 1964 as a
distinguished Air Force ROTC graduate.
He attended pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, and received
his pilot wings in January 1965. He then went to F-4C combat crew training in
Arizona and Florida and was assigned to the 557th Tactical Fighter Squadron,
Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. He flew 144 combat missions, 65 of which were over
North Vietnam.
In July 1967, he was assigned to the 3630th Flying Training Wing, Sheppard Air
Force Base, Texas, as a T-38A instructor pilot. He served as a
standardization/evaluation officer and as an assistant flight commander. In
early 1971, he attended Squadron Officers School and returned as an executive
support officer to the Deputy Commander of Operations and as School Secretary
for the Wing.
In August 1972, he entered the Air Force Institute of Technology residency
school at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Upon graduating in 1974, he
was assigned to the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base, Ohio, as a staff development engineer. He served as deputy for
advanced concepts for the Aeromechanics Division and as branch chief of the
Aerodynamics and Airframe Branch in the Laboratory. Bluford has written and
presented several scientific papers in the area of computational fluid
dynamics.
He has logged over 4,800 hours jet flight time in the T-33, T-37, T-38, F-4C,
F-15, U-2/TR-1, and F-5A/B, including 1,300 hours as a T-38 instructor pilot.
He also has an FAA commercial pilot license.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Bluford became a NASA astronaut in August 1979. His
assignments have included working with the remote manipulator system,
Spacelab-3 experiments, Shuttle systems, Shuttle Avionics Integration
Laboratory (SAIL), and the Flight Systems Laboratory (FSL).
Bluford first served as a mission specialist on STS-8, which launched from
Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on August 30, 1983. He was accompanied by
Captain Richard H. Truly (spacecraft commander), Commander Daniel C.
Brandenstein (pilot), and fellow mission specialists Lieutenant Commander Dale
A. Gardner and Dr. William E. Thornton. This was the third flight for the
Orbiter Challenger and the first mission with a night launch and night
landing. During the mission, the STS-8 crew deployed the Indian National
Satellite (INSAT-1B); operated the Canadian-built Remote Manipulator System
(RMS) with the Payload Flight Test Article (PFTA); operated the Continuous Flow
Electrophoresis System (CFES) with live cell samples; conducted medical
measurements to understand biophysiological effects on space flight; and
activated various earth resources and space science experiments along with four
Getaway Special canisters. STS-8 completed 98 orbits of the Earth in 145 hours
before landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on September 5, 1983.
Bluford was next a mission specialist on STS 61-A, the German D-1 Spacelab
mission, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on October 30,
1985, aboard the Orbiter Challenger. This was the largest crew to fly to date
and included Mr. Henry W. Hartsfield (spacecraft commander), Colonel Steven R.
Nagel (pilot), fellow mission specialists, Colonel James F. Buchli and Dr.
Bonnie J. Dunbar, as well as three payload specialists, Dr. Ernst Messerschmid
(Germany), Dr. Reinhard Furrer (Germany), and Dr. Wubbo J. Ockels (Holland).
This was the first dedicated Spacelab mission under the direction of the German
Aerospace Research Establishment (DFVLR) and the first U.S. mission in which
payload control was transferred to a foreign country (German Space Operations
Center, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany). During the mission, the Global Low Orbiting
Message Relay Satellite (GLOMR) was deployed from a Getaway Special (GAS)
container, and 76 experiments were performed in Spacelab in such fields as
fluid physics, materials processing, life sciences, and navigation. The
experimental test facilities used included melting, solidification, and crystal
growing furnaces, facilities for the observation of fluid physics phenomena,
chambers to provide specific environmental conditions for biological samples,
and a vestibular sled. After completing 111 orbits of the Earth in 169 hours,
Challenger landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on November 6, 1985.
With the completion of this flight he has logged a total of 314 hours in space.
In 1987, Bluford served as astronaut office point of contact for generic
Spacelab issues, and External Tank issues, including payload development,
hazard analysis, crew interface issues and design certification.
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Colonel Bluford is currently training to fly on STS-39, a
Department of Defense mission scheduled for 1990.
MAY 1990
NAME: Karol J. Bobko (Colonel, USAF)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born in New York, New York, on December 23, 1937. His
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Bobko, reside in Gulf Harbors, Florida.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Blond hair; blue eyes; height: 5 feet 11 inches; weight:
195 pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, New York; received a
bachelor of science degree from the Air Force Academy in 1959 and a master of
science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern
California in 1970.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former F. Dianne Welsh of Denver, Colorado.
Her mother, Mrs. Ann Frances Welsh, resides in Denver.
CHILDREN: Michelle A., February 8, 1963; Paul J., December 1, 1965.
SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded three NASA Space Flight Medals, two NASA Exceptional
Service Medals and six JSC Group Achievement Awards; presented the Air Force
Distinguished Flying Cross and two Meritorious Service Medals (1970 and 1979).
He also received the Air Force Academy Jabara Award for 1983.
EXPERIENCE: Bobko, an Air Force Colonel, was a member of the first graduating
class of the Air Force Academy. Subsequent to receiving his commission and
navigator rating, he attended pilot training at Bartow Air Base, Florida, and
Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. He completed his flight training and received
his wings in 1960.
From 1961 to 1965, he flew F-100 and F-105 aircraft while assigned as a pilot
with the 523d Tactical Fighter Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico,
and the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Seymore Johnson Air Force Base,
North Carolina. He attended the Aerospace Research Pilots School at Edwards
Air Force Base, California, and was assigned as an astronaut to the USAF Manned
Orbiting Laboratory Program in 1966.
He has logged over 6,600 hours flight time in the F-100, F-104, F-105, T-33,
T-38, and other aircraft.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Colonel Bobko became a NASA astronaut in September 1969. He
was a crew member on the highly successful Skylab Medical Experiments Altitude
Test (SMEAT) -- a 56-day ground simulation of the Skylab mission, enabling
crewmen to collect medical experiments baseline data and evaluate equipment,
operations and procedures.
Bobko was a member of the astronaut support crew for the Apollo-Soyuz Test
Project (ASTP). This historic first international, manned space flight was
completed in July 1975. Subsequently, he was a member of the support crew for
the Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests conducted at Edwards Air Force
Base, California. He served alternately as CAPCOM and prime chase pilot during
these Approach and Landing Test (ALT) flights.
In preparation for the first flight of Columbia (STS-1), Colonel Bobko served
as the lead astronaut in the test and checkout group at Kennedy Space Center.
Colonel Bobko was pilot for STS-6, which launched from Kennedy Space Center,
Florida, on April 4, 1983. During this maiden voyage of the spacecraft
Challenger, the crew deployed a large communications satellite (TDRS) and the
rocket stage (IUS) required to boost it to geosynchronous orbit. The STS-6
crew also conducted the first shuttle spacewalk (EVA) and additionally
conducted numerous other experiments in materials processing and the recording
of lightning activities from space. There were also three Getaway Specials
activated on the flight. After 120 hours of orbital operations STS-6 landed on
the concrete runway at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on April 9, 1983.
On his second mission Colonel Bobko was the commander of STS 51-D which
launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on April 12, 1985. The mission
was to deploy two communications satellites, perform electrophoresis and
echocardiograph operations in space, in addition to accomplishing other
experiments. When one of the communications satellites malfunctioned, a daring
attempt was made to activate the satellite which required an additional EVA,
rendezvous, and operations with the remote manipulator arm. After 168 hours of
orbital operations Discovery landed on Runway 33 at the Kennedy Space Center on
April 19, 1985.
Colonel Bobko was next commander of STS 51-J, the second Space Shuttle
Department of Defense mission, which launched from Kennedy Space Center,
Florida, on October 3, 1985. This was the maiden voyage of the Atlantis, the
final Orbiter in the Shuttle fleet. After 98 hours of orbital operations,
Atlantis landed on Edwards Air Force Base Lakebed Runway 23 on October 7, 1985.
With the completion of this flight Colonel Bobko has logged a total of 386
hours in space.
Currently with Booz, Allen & Hamilton, Inc., Houston, Texas.
NOVEMBER 1989
NAME: Charles F. Bolden, Jr. (Colonel, USMC)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born August 19, 1946, in Columbia, South Carolina. His
mother, Ethel M. Bolden, resides in Columbia.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Black hair; brown eyes; height: 5 feet 7 inches; weight:
155 pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from C. A. Johnson High School in Columbia, South
Carolina, in 1964; received a bachelor of science degree in Electrical Science
from the United States Naval Academy in 1968 and a master of science in Systems
Management from the University of Southern California in 1978.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Alexis (Jackie) Walker of Columbia,
South Carolina.
CHILDREN: Anthony Che, June 9, 1971; and Kelly M., March 17, 1976.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys racquetball, running, soccer,
swimming, and first day cover collecting.
ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Marine Corps Association, the Montford Point
Marine Association, the U.S. Naval Institute. Lifetime member of the Naval
Academy Alumni Association, the University of Southern California General
Alumni Association, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
SPECIAL HONORS: Recipient of the Air Medal, the Strike/Flight Medal (8th
award), the University of Southern California (Ebonics Support Group)
Outstanding Alumni Award (1982), National Technical Association Honorary Fellow
(1983), Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of South Carolina
(1984), Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Winthrop College (1986), the
NASA Exceptional Service Medal (1988), and the University of Southern
California Alumni Award of Merit (1989), and an Honorary Doctor of Humane
Letters from Johnson C. Smith University (1990).
EXPERIENCE: Bolden accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S.
Marine Corps following graduation from Annapolis in 1968. He underwent flight
training at Pensacola, Florida, Meridian, Mississippi, and Kingsville, Texas,
before being designated a naval aviator in May 1970. He flew more than 100
sorties into North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, in the A-6A Intruder,
while assigned to VMA(AW)-533 at Nam Phong, Thailand, June 1972-June 1973.
Upon returning to the United States, Bolden began a two year tour as a Marine
Corps officer selection officer and recruiting officer in Los Angeles,
California, followed by three years at the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro,
California. In June 1979, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School
at Patuxent River, Maryland, and was assigned to the Naval Air Test Center's
Systems Engineering and Strike Aircraft Test Directorates. While there, he
served as an ordnance test pilot and flew numerous test projects in the A-6E,
EA-6B, and A-7C/E airplanes.
He has logged more than 5,000 hours flying time.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in May 1980, Bolden became an astronaut in
August 1981, qualified for assignment as a pilot on future Space Shuttle flight
crews. His technical assignments to date include: Astronaut Office Safety
Officer, Technical Assistant to the Director of Flight Crew Operations, Special
Assistant to the Director of the Johnson Space Center, Astronaut Office Liaison
to the Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance Directorates of the Marshall
Space Flight Center, and the Kennedy Space Center, Chief of the Safety Division
at JSC, and Lead Astronaut for Vehicle Test and Checkout at the Kennedy Space
Center.
On his first mission Bolden was a pilot on the crew of STS 61-C which launched
from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on January 12, 1986. During the 6-day
flight of Columbia the crew deployed the SATCOM KU satellite and conducted
experiments in astrophysics and materials processing. STS 61-C made a
successful night landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on January 18,
1986. With the completion of his first space flight, Bolden has logged 146
hours in space.
More recently, Bolden was pilot on the crew of STS-31, which launched aboard
Space Shuttle Discovery, on April 24, 1990, from the Kennedy Space Center in
Florida. During this 5 day mission, crew members deployed the Hubble Space
Telescope, and conducted a variety of middeck experiments. They also utilized
a variety of cameras, including both the IMAX in cabin and cargo bay cameras,
for earth observations from their record setting altitude of 380 miles.
Following 75 orbits of the earth in 121 hours, STS-31 Discovery landed at
Edwards Air Force Base, California, on April 29, 1990.
With the completion of his second mission, Bolden has logged a total of 267
hours in space.
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Col. Bolden will command the crew of STS-45. The mission
is scheduled for launch in April 1991, aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, and
will be dedicated to studying atmospheric phenomena.
JUNE 1990
NAME: Kenneth D. Bowersox (Lieutenant Commander, USN)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born November 14, 1956, in Portsmouth, Virginia,
but considers Bedford, Indiana, to be his hometown. His mother, Jean
Bowersox, resides in Bedford, Indiana. His father, Ronald G.
Bowersox, is deceased.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown hair; blue eyes; height: 5 feet 7 inches;
weight: 165 pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Bedford High School, Bedford, Indiana, in
1974; received a bachelor of science degree in Aerospace Engineering
from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978, and a master of science in
Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University in 1979.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Ann S. Flatley of Pleasanton,
California. Her parents, John & Eleanor Flatley, reside in
Pleasanton, California.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys snow skiing, sailing, off-road
motorcycling, bicycling.
ORGANIZATIONS: Member, Tail Hook Association, and the American
Motorcycle Association.
EXPERIENCE: Bowersox received his commission in the United States
Navy in 1978 and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1981. He was then
assigned to Attack Squadron 22, aboard the USS ENTERPRISE, where he
served as a Fleet A-7E pilot, logging over 300 carrier arrested
landings. Following graduation from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot
School at Edwards AFB, California, in 1985, he moved to the Naval
Weapon Center at China Lake, California, where he spent the next year
and a half as a test pilot flying A-7E and F/A-18 aircraft until
advised of his selection to the astronaut program.
He has logged over 2,000 hours flight time.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in June
1987, Bowersox completed a one year training and evaluation program in
August 1988 which qualifies him for assignment as a pilot on future
Space Shuttle flight crews. Since then he has held a variety of
technical assignments including software testing in the Shuttle
Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL), and presently serves as
Technical Assistant to the Director of Flight Crew Operations testing
Shuttle software and avionics.
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Bowersox is assigned as a mission specialist on
the crew of STS-50, scheduled for launch aboard the Space Shuttle
Columbia in June 1992. STS-50 will be the first flight of the United
States Microgravity Laboratory. Over a two week period the STS-50
flight crew will conduct a wide variety of experiments relating to
materials processing in a microgravity environment.
JANUARY 1991
NAME: Vance DeVoe Brand (Mr.)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born in Longmont, Colorado, May 9, 1931. His mother Mrs.
Donna M. Brand, resides in Longmont.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Blond hair; gray eyes; height: 5 feet 11 inches; weight:
182 pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Longmont High School, Longmont, Colorado; received a
bachelor of science degree in Business from the University of Colorado in 1953,
a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of
Colorado in 1960, and a master's degree in Business Administration from the
University of California at Los Angeles in 1964.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Beverly Ann Whitnel.
CHILDREN: Susan N., April 30, 1954; Stephanie, August 6, 1955; Patrick R.,
March 22, 1958; Kevin S., December 1, 1963; Erik R., May 11, 1981; and Dane V.,
October 1, 1985.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: Enjoys running to stay in condition, hiking, skiing,
and camping.
ORGANIZATIONS: Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics,
Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and American Astronautical Society.
Registered Professional Engineer in Texas. Member, Sigma Nu and Beta Gamma
Sigma.
SPECIAL HONORS: JSC Certificate of Commendation (1970), the NASA Exceptional
Service Medal (1974 & 1988), the NASA Distinguished Service Medal (1975), Zeta
Beta Tau's Richard Gottheil Medal (1975), the Wright Brothers International
Manned Space Flight Award (1975), the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Space
Award (1976 & 1984), the Sigma Nu Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award
(1976), the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) Yuri Gagarin Gold
Medal (1976), University of Colorado Alumnus of the Century (1 of 12) (1976),
the AIAA Special Presidential Citation (1977), the American Astronautical
Society's Flight Achievement Award for 1976 (1977), the AIAA Haley Astronautics
Award (1978), the JSC Special Achievement Award (1978), Harmon Trophy
(Astronaut)(1983), the FAI De La Vaulx Medal (1983), two NASA Space Flight
Medals (1983 & 1984), Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at University of Colorado
(1984), De Molay Hall of Fame (1989), and University of Colorado George Norlin
Award (1991).
EXPERIENCE: "Military". Commissioned officer and naval aviator with the U.S.
Marine Corps from 1953 to 1957. Military assignments included a 15-month tour
in Japan as a jet fighter pilot. Following release from active duty, Brand
continued in Marine Corps Reserve and Air National Guard jet fighter squadrons
until 1964.
"Civilian". Employed as a civilian by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation from
1960 to 1966, he worked initially as a flight test engineer on the Navy's P3A
aircraft. In 1963, Brand graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and
was assigned to Palmdale, California, as an experimental test pilot on Canadian
and German F-104 programs. Prior to selection to the astronaut program, Brand
worked at the West German F-104G Flight Test Center at Istres, France, as an
experimental test pilot and leader of a Lockheed flight test advisory group.
"Flight Experience": 9,473 flying hours, which includes 7,893 hours in jets,
391 hours in helicopters, 746 hours in spacecraft, and checkout in more than 30
types of military aircraft.
NASA EXPERIENCE: One of the 19 pilot astronauts selected by NASA in April
1966, Brand's early experience included being a crewmember in the thermal
vacuum chamber testing of the prototype command module and support crewman on
Apollo 8 and 13. He was backup command module pilot for Apollo 15 and backup
commander for Skylabs 3 and 4. Later he flew in space on four missions;
Apollo-Soyuz, STS-5, STS-41B, and STS-35.
"Apollo-Soyuz": Brand was launched on his first space flight on July 15, 1975,
as Apollo command module pilot on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP)
mission. This flight resulted in the historic meeting in space between
American astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts. Other crewmen on this 9-day
Earth-orbital mission were Thomas Stafford, Apollo commander; Donald Slayton,
Apollo docking module pilot; cosmonaut Alexey Leonov, Soyuz commander; and
cosmonaut Valeriy Kubasov, Soyuz flight engineer. The Soyuz spacecraft was
launched at Baikonur in Central Asia, and the Apollo was launched 7-1/2 hours
later at the Kennedy Space Center. Two days later the Apollo spacecraft
accomplished a successful rendezvous and docking with Soyuz. The linkup tested
a unique, new docking system and demonstrated international cooperation in
space. There were 44 hours of docked joint activities which included 4 crew
transfers between the Apollo and the Soyuz. Twenty-eight experiments were
performed during the flight. All major objectives were accomplished, and
experience was gained in the conduct of complex, international manned
missions. Six records for docked and group flight were set on the mission and
are recognized by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI). Apollo
splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, on July 25, less than a mile
from the targeted splash point, and was promptly recovered by the USS NEW
ORLEANS. Mission duration was 217 hours.
STS-5: Brand was commander of STS-5, the first fully operational flight of the
Shuttle Transportation System, which launched Columbia on November 11, 1982.
His crew comprised Colonel Robert Overmyer, pilot, and two mission specialists,
Dr. Joseph Allen and Dr. William Lenoir. STS-5, the first mission with a four
man crew, demonstrated the Shuttle as operational by the successful first
deployment of two commercial communications satellites from the Orbiter's
payload bay. The mission marked the Shuttle's first use of an upper stage
rocket, the Payload Assist Module (PAM-D). The satellites were deployed for
Satellite Business Systems Corporation of McLean, Virginia, and TELESAT of
Ottawa, Canada. Two FAI records for mass to altitude were set on the mission.
Numerous flight tests were performed to ascertain Shuttle performance. STS-5
was the last flight to carry the Development Flight Instrumentation package to
support extensive flight testing. A Getaway Special, three student projects
and medical experiments were included on the mission. The STS-5 crew
successfully concluded the 5-day orbital flight of Columbia with the landing
approach through a cloud deck to Runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base,
California on November 16, 1982. Mission duration was 122 hours.
STS 41-B: Brand commanded Challenger with a crew of five on the tenth flight
of the Space Shuttle. The launch was on February 3, 1984. His crew included
Commander Robert Gibson, pilot, and 3 mission specialists, Captain Bruce
McCandless II, Dr. Ronald McNair, and Lt. Col. Robert Stewart. The flight
accomplished the proper shuttle deployment of two Hughes 376 communications
satellites which failed to reach desired geosynchronous orbits due to upper
stage rocket failures. This mission marked the first flight checkout of the
Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), and the Manipulator Foot Restraint (MFR), with
McCandless and Stewart performing two spectacular extravehicular activities
(EVA's). Shuttle rendezvous sensors and computer programs were flight tested
for the first time. In addition the German Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS),
Remote Manipulator System (RMS), 6 Getaway Specials, and materials processing
experiments were included on the mission. The 8-day flight of Challenger ended
with the first landing to the runway at the Kennedy Space Center on February
11, 1984. Mission duration was 191 hours.
STS-35: Brand again commanded Columbia on the thirty-eighth flight of the
Shuttle, this time with a crew of seven. The spectacular night launch on
December 2, 1990 started a 9-day mission devoted to round-the-clock
observations of stars and other celestial objects. Crewmen included the pilot,
Col. Guy Gardner; three mission specialists, Mike Lounge, Dr. Robert Parker and
Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman; and two payload specialists, Dr. Samuel Durrance and Dr.
Ronald Parise. The 13-ton payload consisted of the 3 ASTRO-1 Ultraviolet (UV)
Telescopes and the Broad Band X-ray Telescope. More than 200 Orbiter maneuvers
were required to point the telescopes. Other activities included Orbiter
engineering flight tests, medical experiments, the Shuttle Amateur Radio
Experiment, and downlinked educational TV programs. This Shuttle flight, the
first dedicated to astronomy, provided a rich return of science data to better
understand the nature of the universe with emphasis on observation of very
active celestial objects. A night landing was made on December 10 to Runway 22
at Edwards Air Force Base. Mission duration was 215 hours.
With the completion of this flight Brand has logged 746 hours in space, and has
commanded three Shuttle missions.
JANUARY 1991
NAME: Daniel C. Brandenstein (Captain, USN)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born January 17, 1943, in Watertown, Wisconsin. His
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Brandenstein, are residents of Watertown,
Wisconsin.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown hair; blue eyes; height: 5 feet 11 inches; weight:
195 pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Watertown High School, Watertown, Wisconsin, in
1961; received a bachelor of science degree in Mathematics and Physics from the
University of Wisconsin (River Falls) in 1965.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Jane A. Wade of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin.
Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wade, reside in Balsam Lake.
CHILDREN: Adelle, January 7, 1972.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys skiing, sailing, basketball, softball, golf,
and woodworking.
ORGANIZATIONS: Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics. Member, Society of Experimental Test Pilots, United States Naval
Institute, and Tailhook Association.
SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded Defense Superior Service Medal, 17 Air Medals, 2 Navy
Commendation Medals, Meritorious Unit Commendation, 2 NASA Outstanding
Leadership Medals, 3 NASA Space Flight Medals, National Defense Service Medal,
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Legion of Honor (France), Medal of King Abdul
Aziz (Saudia Arabia), Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Air Gallantry Cross
with Silver Star, Vietnamese Gallantry Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign
Medal; Distinguished Alumnus, University of Wisconsin, River Falls.
EXPERIENCE: Brandenstein entered on active duty with the Navy in September
1965, and was attached to the Naval Air Training Command for flight training.
He was designated a naval aviator at Naval Air Station Beeville, Texas, in May
1967, and then proceeded to VA-128 for A-6 fleet replacement training. From
1968 to 1970, while attached to VA-196 flying A-6 Intruders, he participated in
two combat deployments onboard USS CONSTELLATION and USS RANGER to Southeast
Asia and flew 192 combat missions. In subsequent assignments, he was attached
to VX-5 for the conduct of operational tests of A-6 weapons systems and
tactics; and to the Naval Air Test Center where, upon graduation from the U.S.
Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland, he conducted tests of
electronic warfare systems in various Navy aircraft. Brandenstein made a nine
month deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean onboard USS RANGER
while attached to VA-145 flying A-6 Intruders during the period March 1975 to
September 1977. Prior to reporting to Houston as an astronaut candidate, he was
attached to VA-128 as an A-6 flight instructor.
He has logged 5,600 hours flying time in 24 different types of aircraft and has
400 carrier landings.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in January 1978, Brandenstein became an
astronaut in August 1979. He was ascent CAPCOM and a member of the astronaut
support crew for STS-1, the first flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia. He was
subsequently assigned to the STS-2 astronaut support crew and was the ascent
CAPCOM for the second Space Shuttle flight. He has flown three missions --
STS-8 in 1983, STS-51G in 1985, and STS-32 in 1990. Following his second space
flight, Brandenstein served as the Deputy Director of Flight Crew Operations
until his assignment to his current position of Chief of the Astronaut Office.
Brandenstein was pilot on STS-8, his first flight, which launched from Kennedy
Space Center, Florida, on August 30, 1983. This was the third flight for the
Orbiter Challenger and the first mission with a night launch and night landing.
During the mission crew members deployed the Indian National Satellite
(INSAT-1B); operated the Canadian-built Remote Manipulator System (RMS) with
the Payload Flight Test Article (PFTA); operated the Continuous Flow
Electrophoresis System (CFES) with live cell samples; conducted medical
measurements to understand biophysiological effects on space flight; and
activated various earth resources and space science experiments along with four
Getaway Special canisters. STS-8 completed 98 orbits of the Earth in 145 hours
before landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on September 3, 1983.
On his second mission, (June 17-24, 1985), Brandenstein commanded the crew of
STS-51G aboard the Orbiter Discovery. During this seven day mission crew
members deployed communications satellites for Mexico (Morelos), the Arab
League (Arabsat), and the United States (AT&T Telstar). They used the Remote
Manipulator System (RMS) to deploy and later retrieve the SPARTAN satellite
which performed 17 hours of x-ray astronomy experiments while separated from
the Space Shuttle. In addition, the crew activated the Automated Directional
Solidification Furnace (ADSF), six Getaway Specials, participated in biomedical
experiments, and conducted a laser tracking experiment as part of the Strategic
Defense Initiative. The mission was accomplished in 112 earth orbits in
approximately 170 hours.
Brandenstein then commanded the crew of STS-32 (January 9-20, 1990). In the
longest Shuttle mission to date, crew members aboard the Orbiter Columbia
successfully deployed the Syncom IV-F5 satellite, and retrieved the 21,400 lb
Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) using the Remote Manipulator System
(RMS). They also operated a variety of middeck experiments including the
Microgravity Disturbance Experiment (MDE) using the Fluids Experiment Apparatus
(FEA), Protein Crystal Growth (PCG), American Flight Echocardiograph (AFE),
Latitude/Longitude Locator (L3), Mesoscale Lightning Experiment (MLE),
Characterization of Neurospora Circadian Rhythms (CNCR), and the IMAX Camera.
Additionally, numerous medical test objectives, including inflight Lower Body
Negative Pressure (LBNP), inflight aerobic exercise and muscle performance were
conducted to evaluate human adaptation to extended duration missions.
Following 173 orbits of the earth in 261 hours, the mission ended with a night
landing in California.
With the completion of his third flight, Brandenstein has logged 576 hours in
space.
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Captain Brandenstein is Chief of the Astronaut Office and
is also assigned to command the crew of STS-49. During this eight day mission
crew members will attach a new booster and redeploy the Intelsat satellite, and
will also perform three EVAs (spacewalks) as part of an extensive test of EVA
techniques to be employed during Space Station assembly. STS-49 is scheduled
for launch in early 1992 aboard the new Space Shuttle Endeavour.
JANUARY 1991
NAME: Roy D. Bridges, Jr. (Colonel, USAF)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born July 19, 1943, in Atlanta, Georgia, but considers
Gainesville, Georgia, to be his hometown. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy D.
Bridges, Sr., reside in Gainesville.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Red hair; hazel eyes; height: 5 feet 8 inches; weight:
145 pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Gainesville High School, Gainesville, Georgia, in
1961; received a bachelor of science degree in engineering science from the
United States Air Force Academy in 1965, and a master of science degree in
astronautics from Purdue University in 1966.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Benita Louise Allbaugh of Tucson,
Arizona. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Allbaugh, reside in Tucson.
CHILDREN: Tanya M., March 12, 1970; and Brian N., May 23, 1974.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys jogging, camping, backpacking, and flying.
ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and life
member of the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates.
SPECIAL HONORS: 3 Air Force Distinguished Flying Crosses, 15 Air Medals, an
Air Force Commendation Medal, an Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, an Air
Force Systems Command Certificate of Merit (for selection as the AFSC nominee
for the Jabara Award for Airmanship in 1974), Distinguished Graduate of the
USAF Academy, Distinguished Graduate of USAF Pilot Training, Top Graduate of
the USAF Test Pilot School, and a Distinguished Graduate of the Air Command and
Staff College. Recipient of NASA Certificate of Commendation.
EXPERIENCE: After graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in 1965,
Bridges attended Purdue University in residence to complete the requirements
for his master of science degree. He then entered and completed pilot training
at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. He was assigned to the 524th Tactical
Fighter Squadron at Clovis AFB, NM, in 1967, as an F-100 pilot. During 1968,
he flew 226 combat missions in the F-100 while a member of the 416th Tactical
Fighter Squadron and Commando Sabre Operation at Phu Cat Air Base in the
Republic of Vietnam. In 1969, Bridges returned to the United States as a pilot
instructor assigned to the 3575th Pilot Training Squadron at Vance Air Force
Base, Oklahoma, and in 1970, attended the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards Air
Force Base, California. He remained at Edwards following graduation in 1971,
for an assignment as test pilot with the Air Force Flight Test Center. He was
involved in a number of aircraft test projects, including the A-X flyoff and
subsequent test and evaluation of the A-10.
In 1975, he entered the Air Command and Staff College and subsequently went to
work for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research and Development at Headquarters
USAF in Washington, D.C. While at the Pentagon, he participated in development
and acquisition programs for F-15 and A-10 aircraft and served as a special
assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research and Development. He was
assigned to Detachment 3 of the Air Force Flight Test Center as a special
projects officer when informed of his selection by NASA.
He has logged more than 3,800 hours flying time in the following aircraft:
T-2, T-28, T-33, T-37, T-38, T-41, A-37, A-7, A-9, A-10, B-26, B-52, B-57,
F-100, F-104, NF-104, F-106, F-4, KC-135, and G-2 (Shuttle Training Aircraft).
NASA EXPERIENCE: Bridges was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in May
1980, and completed a 1-year training and evaluation period, in August 1981.
He was backup entry spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for STS-4 and the primary
entry CAPCOM for STS-5 and STS-6. In addition, he was primary ascent CAPCOM
for STS-7.
Bridges was the pilot on the Spacelab-2 mission (STS 51-F) which launched from
Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on July 29, 1985. He was accompanied by Col.
Charles G. Fullerton (spacecraft commander), three mission specialists, Drs.
Anthony W. England, Karl G. Henize, and F. Story Musgrave, as well as two
payload specialists, Dr's. Loren Acton and John-David Bartoe. This mission was
the first pallet-only Spacelab mission and the first mission to operate the
Spacelab Instrument Pointing System (IPS). It carried 13 major experiments of
which 7 were in the field of astronomy and solar physics, 3 were for studies of
the Earth's ionosphere, 2 were life science experiments, and 1 studied the
properties of superfluid helium. After 126 orbits of the Earth, STS 51-F
Challenger landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on August 6, 1985.
With the completion of this flight Bridges has logged 188 hours in space.
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Colonel Bridges has been assigned as the pilot on STS 61-F
scheduled for launch on May 15, 1986. This mission will deploy the Ulysses
spacecraft with a high energy Centaur upper stage. This will be the first
flight of the NASA-provided Centaur which will boost the Ulysses into a
heliocentric orbit timed to swing-by the planet Jupiter in July 1987. The
gravitational field of Jupiter will be used to deflect Ulysses into an out-of-
ecliptic trajectory which will result in passage over the polar regions of the
Sun in 1989-1991. The primary mission of the European Space Agency-provided
Ulysses will be an investigation of the properties of the Sun, the solar wind,
and the heliosphere as a function of latitude. This will be the first data
obtained from the solar polar regions.
Currently Commander of the Eastern Space and Missile Center, Patrick Air Force
Base, Florida.
NOVEMBER, 1989
NAME: Curtis L. Brown, Jr. (Major, USAF)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born March 11, 1956, in Elizabethtown, North
Carolina. His mother, Mrs. Rachel H. Brown, resides in Elizabethtown,
North Carolina. His father, Mr. Curtis L. Brown, Sr., is deceased.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Black hair, blue eyes,; height: 6 feet; weight:
175 pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from East Bladen High School, Elizabethtown,
North Carolina, in 1974; received a bachelor of science degree in
Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Academy in 1978.
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried.
CHILDREN: Gregory Scott, November 9, 1983.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys water and snow skiing, scuba
diving, remote control model aircraft, restoring old cars,
woodworking.
ORGANIZATIONS: Member, U.S. Air Force Association, and USAF Academy
Association of Graduates.
SPECIAL HONORS: Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force
Commendation Medal.
EXPERIENCE: Brown was commissioned a Second Lieutenant at the United
States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, in 1978, and completed
undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas. He
graduated in July 1979 and was assigned to Fly A-10 aircraft at Myrtle
Beach AFB, South Carolina, arriving there in January 1980 after
completing A-10 training at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. In March 1982
he was reassigned to Davis Monthan AFB as an Instructor Pilot in the
A-10. In January 1983 he attended USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards
AFB, California. Upon graduation in June 1986 Brown was assigned to
Eglin AFB, Florida, where he served as a test pilot in the A-10 and
F-16 aircraft until his selection for the astronaut program.
He logged over 2,400 hours flight time in jet aircraft.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in June
1987, Brown completed a one year training and evaluation program in
August 1988 which qualifies him for assignment as a pilot on future
Space Shuttle flight crews. Major Brown is presently involved in the
Shuttle Mission Simulator (SMS) upgrade, and the Flight Data File.
APRIL 1989
NAME: Mark N. Brown (Col., USAF)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born November 18, 1951, in Valparaiso, Indiana. His
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Brown, reside in Valparaiso, Indiana.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Blond hair; blue eyes; height: 6 feet; weight: 180
pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Valparaiso High School, Valparaiso, Indiana, in
1969; received a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical
Engineering from Purdue University in 1973, and a master of science degree in
Astronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1980.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Lynn A. Anderson of River Grove,
Illinois. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Anderson, reside in River
Grove, Illinois.
CHILDREN: Kristin Elizabeth, October 21, 1981; Karin Alison, May 18, 1986.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys fishing, hiking, jogging, all sports, and
chess.
ORGANIZATIONS: Member, Air Force Association, National Rifle Association, and
Purdue Alumni Association.
SPECIAL HONORS: NASA Space Flight Medal. Distinguished Graduate from Air Force
ROTC, Aerospace Defense Command "We Point With Pride" Award, Air Force Command
Pilot, Senior Space Badge, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Air Force
Commendation Medals, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal,
National Defense Medal, and the Small Arms Expert Markmanship Ribbon.
EXPERIENCE: Brown received his pilot wings at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas,
in 1974. He was then assigned to the 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at K.
I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan, where he flew both T-33 and F-106
aircraft. In 1979, Brown was transferred to the Air Force Institute of
Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and received his master of
science degree in Astronautical Engineering in 1980.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Brown has been employed at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
since 1980. Assigned as an engineer in the Flight Activities Section, he
participated in the development of contingency procedures for use aboard the
shuttle and served as an attitude and pointing officer. Brown supported STS
flights 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 41-C real-time in the Flight Activity Officer/Staff
Support Room of the Mission Control Center.
Selected by NASA in May 1984, Brown became an astronaut in June 1985, qualified
for assignment as a mission specialist on future Space Shuttle flight crews.
In December 1985 he was assigned to the crew of a Department of Defense mission
which was subsequently canceled due to the Challenger accident. During 1986
and 1987 he served as an astronaut member of the solid rocket booster redesign
team. In February 1988 Brown was assigned to a new flight crew. He flew on
STS-28 (August 8-13,1989), following which he served as astronaut member on the
Space Station Freedom Program.
On his first space flight, Brown served as a mission specialist on the crew of
STS-28. The Orbiter Columbia launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on
August 8, 1989. The mission carried Department of Defense payloads and a
number of secondary payloads. After 80 orbits of the earth, this five day
mission concluded with a dry lakebed landing on Runway 17 at Edwards Air Force
Base, California, on August 13, 1989. With the completion of this mission, he
has logged a total of 121 hours in space.
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Colonel Brown is assigned as a mission specialist on the
crew of STS-48. Scheduled for launch in November 1991, this mission will
feature the deployment of the Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS).
JANUARY 1991
NAME: James F. Buchli (Colonel, USMC)
NASA Astronaut
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born June 20, 1945, in New Rockford, North Dakota, but
considers Fargo, North Dakota, as his hometown, where his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Martin A. Buchli, reside.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown hair; hazel eyes; height: 5 feet 7 inches; weight:
170 pounds.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Fargo Central High School, Fargo, North Dakota, in
1963; received a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from
the United States Naval Academy in 1967 and a master of science degree in
Aeronautical Engineering Systems from the University of West Florida in 1975.
MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Jean Oliver of Pensacola, Florida. Her
parents, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Oliver, reside in Pensacola, Florida.
CHILDREN: James C., September 9, 1972; and Jennifer C., April 29, 1977.
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys skiing, scuba diving, hunting,
fishing, racquetball, water-skiing, camping, and canoeing.
ORGANIZATIONS: Associate member of Naval Academy Alumni.
SPECIAL HONORS: Recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, three NASA Space Flight Medals, NASA Exceptional
Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action
Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, a Meritorious Unit
Citation, and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with the Silver Star.
EXPERIENCE: Buchli received his commission in the United States Marine Corps
following graduation from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis in
1967. In 1968, he graduated from U.S. Marine Corps Basic Infantry Course and
was subsequently sent to the Republic of Vietnam for a 1-year tour of duty
where he served as Platoon Commander, 9th Marine Regiment, and then as Company
Commander and Executive Officer, "B" Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. He
returned to the United States in 1969 for naval flight officer training at
Pensacola, Florida, and spent the next 2 years assigned to Marine
Fighter/Attack Squadron 235 at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In 1972, Buchli was
reassigned to Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron 122, at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and
Iwakuni, Japan; and in 1973, he proceeded to duty with Marine Fighter/Attack
Squadron 115 at Namphong, Thailand, and Iwakuni, Japan. Upon completing this
tour of duty, he again returned to the United States and participated in the
Marine Advanced Degree Program at the University of West Florida. He was
assigned subsequently to Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron 312 at the Marine Corps
Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina, and, in 1977, to the U.S. Test Pilot
School, Patuxent River, Maryland.
He has logged over 3,800 hours flying time -- 3,600 hours in jet aircraft.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Buchli became a NASA astronaut in August 1979. He was a
member of the support crew for STS-1 and STS-2, and On-Orbit CAPCOM for STS-2.
A three flight veteran, Buchli was a mission specialist on STS-51C, the first
Space Shuttle Department of Defense mission, which launched from Kennedy Space
Center, Florida, on January 24, 1985. Mission 51C performed its DOD mission
which included deployment of a modified Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) vehicle from
the Space Shuttle Discovery. Landing occurred on January 27, 1985, after
slightly more than 3 days on orbit.
He then flew on the crew of STS-61A (October 30 - Nov. 6, 1985). STS-61A, a
West German D-1 Spacelab mission, was the first to carry eight crew members,
the largest crew to fly in space, and was also the first in which payload
activities were controlled from outside the United States. More than 75
scientific experiments were completed in the areas of physiological sciences,
materials processing, biology, and navigation. Mission duration was 111
orbits.
More recently, Buchli flew on the crew of STS-29 (March 13-18, 1989). During
this highly successful five day mission, the crew aboard the Orbiter Discovery,
deployed a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, and performed numerous secondary
experiments, including a Space Station "heat pipe" radiator experiment, two
student experiments, a protein crystal growth experiment, and a chromosome and
plant cell division experiment. In addition, the crew took over 3,000
photographs of the earth using several types of cameras, including the IMAX 70
mm movie camera. Mission duration was 80 orbits.
With the completion of his third mission, he has logged a total of 362 hours in
space.
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Colonel Buchli is Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office and
is also assigned as a mission specialist on the crew of STS-48. This mission
is scheduled for launch in November 1991 and will feature the deployment of the
Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS).
JANUARY 1991
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