ASTRONAUT STAT SHEET
Karl G. Henize
Age: Died Oct. 5, 1993, at 66
U.Va. degrees: B.A., 1947; M.A. in astronomy, 1948
Selected by NASA in: 1967
Number of missions: 1
Notable: At 58, entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest man in space
Kathryn C. Thornton
Age: 57
U.Va. degree: Ph.D. in physics, 1979
Selected by NASA in: 1984
Number of missions: 4
Notable: Held the record for most space walks by a female astronaut until 2006
Quote: “It is time to go beyond low-earth orbit with humans as explorers and to focus on Mars and beyond as our goal.”
Watch a video on Kathryn Thornton’s experience in space and as a professor
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson
Age: 67
U.Va. degree: Law, 1968
Selected by NASA in: 1985
Number of missions: 1
Notable: First member of the U.S. House of Representatives in space
Quote: “Perhaps in the next century when spaceflight is more routine and less risky, it would be of tremendous value for political leaders to venture into space simply to witness Earth from a truly global point of view.”
Thomas H. Marshburn
Age: 49
U.Va. degree: M.S. in engineering physics, 1984
Selected by NASA in: 2004
Number of missions: 1
Notable: Trained as an ER physician, he initially joined NASA as a flight surgeon
Quote: “I grew up in the whole era of the new space age. I distinctly remember watching Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land on the moon, watching the first steps, listening to the first step on the moon.”
Leland D. Melvin
Age: 45
U.Va. degree: M.S. degree in materials science engineering, 1991
Selected by NASA in: 1998
Number of missions: 1
Notable: An ex-NFL player, he is the only astronaut who is a former professional athlete
Quote: “You see the earth in all its glory, with no borders. It makes you appreciate how fragile the earth is.”
Patrick G. Forrester
Age: 52
U.Va. degree: M.S. in mechanical and aerospace engineering, 1989
Selected by NASA in: 1996
Number of missions: 3
Notable: A Master Army Aviator and former experimental test pilot, he has logged more than 4,400 hours in more than 50 different aircraft
Quote: “As human beings, we always need to continue to look around us. Sometimes that means to look around us on the ground, and sometimes that means to look up into space. We’re learning things and discovering things that we have no idea how they are going to impact our lives.”
Peter J.K. “Jeff” Wisoff
Age: 51
U.Va. degree: B.S. in physics with highest distinction, 1980
Selected by NASA in: 1990
Number of missions: 4
Notable: Aboard the space shuttle Discovery’s historic 100th mission in 2000
Quote: “I think the 100th shuttle flight is an opportunity to reflect back on what a great vehicle the shuttle is. It’s just amazing to go watch a launch and think about how complex this machine is and how well it works.”
Gregory H. Olsen
Age: 64
U.Va. degree: Ph.D. in materials science engineering, 1971
Selected in: 2005
Number of missions: 1, aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft
Notable: The world’s third “citizen space explorer,” he paid $20 million for the privilege
Quote: “I have no fears of the trip. It’s going to be all right, just like when I go out and cross Fifth Avenue and dodge a bus.”
Comments
Great article and pictures in the Alumini magazine and online edition. Shows the quality of UVA graduates and dedication to their country's highest aspirations. Some enterprising student should consider a Dr. Suess take off (no pun intended) called "Hoos in Space" for the future.....keep up the good work.
If "Phil Plait "The Bad Astronomer" REALLY "---aims to stop bad science---"(&)"the spread of misinformation about ALL things celestial".--- He will have to START with a 'CONFESSION' about 'his' asinine lying assertions that "Apollo" "Landed Men on the Moon"!---Unless he is a total idiot, he certainly knows no Spacecraft EVER successfully passed through the 'Death Barrier' of the Van Allen BELT-MAGNETOSPHERE! - How long does he expect to keep up his lying pretense? - Phil Plait claims that those who know, and say that NASA has never PROVED a passage through and beyond the 'Death Barrier' of the Van Allen Belt-Magnetosphere are "Conspiracy theorists"! But, he cannot Prove 'that', nor, does 'he' ever cite 'conclusive PROOF' for any of 'His" or, NASA's claims o having done so! - Some Mind-Controlled people actually believe that 'the 'pieces of 'Meteorites' and "petrified wood" offered up by NASA, as "Moon Rocks" really came from the Moon!---Maybe even "PHIL PLAIT" believes this?--- If so, that would make him an asinine fool who needs help with his Research, or literacy, instead of being an outright liar! --"Faith is for fools"! Hearsay, phony rocks, and a 'Made-For-TV-Movie does not PROVE "Man Landed on the Moon"! ---
Leave a Comment