COLUMBIA STS-107
Commander Rick Husband, Pilot William McCool, Mission Specialists Dave Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, Payload Commander Mike Anderson, Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon of the Israel Space Agency.
STS-107
MCC Status Report #19
Saturday, February 1, 2003 - 7:00 p.m. CST
Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
The
Space Shuttle Columbia and its seven astronauts were lost today when the vehicle
broke up over north central Texas during its reentry from orbit.
Communications
were lost with Columbia and its crew at around 8:00 a.m. CST, while the shuttle
was traveling about 18 times the speed of sound at an altitude of 207,000 feet.
Columbia was 16 minutes from landing at the Kennedy Space Center when flight
controllers at Mission Control lost contact with the vehicle. Columbia was
returning from a 16-day scientific research mission, its 28th flight, which
launched on January 16.
Aboard
Columbia were Commander Rick Husband, completing his second flight, Pilot
William McCool, wrapping up his first mission, Mission Specialists Dave Brown,
also completing his first mission, Kalpana Chawla, on her second flight, Laurel
Clark, a first-time space traveler, Payload Commander Mike Anderson, ending his
second flight, and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon of the Israel Space Agency, on
his first flight.
Prior to
the loss of communications with Columbia, the shuttle’s return to Earth
appeared perfectly normal. After assessing some wispy fog near the shuttle’s
three-mile long landing strip at KSC before dawn, Entry Flight Director Leroy
Cain gave approval for the firing of the shuttle’s braking rockets to begin
its descent from orbit.
Husband
and McCool began the deorbit burn to allow Columbia to slip out of orbit at 7:15
a.m. CST. There was no indication of anything abnormal with Columbia’s reentry
until the last communications between Mission Control and the crew.
At
Columbia’s intended landing site, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and
Associate Administrator for Space Flight William Readdy met with the families of
the astronauts to offer their condolences, vowed to uncover the cause of the
accident and press ahead with the Shuttle program.
“This
is indeed a tragic day for the NASA family, for the families of the astronauts
who flew on STS-107, and likewise is tragic for the nation,” said O’Keefe.
“We
have no indication that the mishap was caused by anything or anyone on the
ground,” O’Keefe added.
In a
briefing, Chief Flight Director Milt Heflin said that around 7:53 a.m. CST, just
minutes before communications were lost with Columbia, flight controllers
detected indications of a loss of hydraulic system temperature measurements
associated with Columbia’s left wing, followed three minutes later by an
increase in temperatures on the left main gear tires and brakes. At 7:58 a.m.,
flight controllers noted a loss of bondline temperature sensor data in the area
of the left wing followed a minute later by a loss of data on tire temperatures
and pressures for the left inboard and outboard tires.
After
several attempts to try to contact Columbia, Cain declared a contingency,
whereby flight controllers began preserving documentation regarding the entry
phase of the flight. Recovery forces fanned out from Texas to Louisiana to try
to recover debris that will be pertinent to the mishap investigation.
Space
Shuttle Program Manager Ron Dittemore said several teams have been organized to
gather data for analysis and will report to an external investigation board that
was appointed by Administrator O’Keefe. Dittemore added that no specific
orbiter debris or crew remains have been positively identified at this time, and
that there is no leading theory for the cause of the accident.
Dittemore
said the processing of other shuttles at the Kennedy Space Center for future
launches has been temporarily halted to enable engineers to review data
regarding vehicle processing and to focus attention on capturing all pertinent
information involving Columbia’s prelaunch preparations.
NASA
managers will be meeting on a regular basis to begin reviewing data associated
with Columbia’s investigation. The next status briefing from the Johnson Space
Center is tentatively scheduled from the Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX at
12:00 p.m. CST Sunday. It will be seen on NASA Television with two-way question
and answer capability for reporters from NASA centers.
NASA TV
can be found on AMC-2, Transponder 9C, vertical polarization at 85 degrees West
longitude, 3880 MHz, with audio at 6.8 MHz.
On the
International Space Station, Expedition 6 Commander Ken Bowersox, Flight
Engineer Nikolai Budarin and NASA ISS Science Officer Don Pettit were informed
of the loss of Columbia and its crew shortly after a Russian Progress resupply
vehicle undocked from the ISS. Filled with discarded items no longer needed on
the ISS, the Progress was commanded to deorbit by Russian flight controllers and
reentered the Earth’s atmosphere.
A new
Progress cargo ship will be launched Sunday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in
Kazakhstan at 6:59 a.m. CST (1259 GMT) filled with supplies for the Expedition 6
crew. It is scheduled to dock to the ISS Tuesday morning. ISS program officials
say, if necessary, the current resident crew could remain in orbit until late
June with the supplies being ferried to the station on the new Progress.
RICK
DOUGLAS HUSBAND (COLONEL, USAF)
NASA ASTRONAUT
PERSONAL
DATA: Born July 12, 1957, in Amarillo, Texas. Married. Two children. He enjoys
singing, water and snow skiing, cycling, and spending time with his family.
EDUCATION:
Graduated from Amarillo High School, Amarillo, Texas, in 1975. Received a
bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University
in 1980, and a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from
California State University, Fresno, in 1990.
ORGANIZATIONS:
Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Tau Beta Pi, Air Force
Association, and the Texas Tech Ex-Students Association.
SPECIAL
HONORS: Distinguished Graduate of AFROTC, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Squadron
Officers School, F-4 Instructor School, and USAF Test Pilot School; Outstanding
Engineering Student Award, Texas Tech University, 1980; F-4 Tactical Air Command
Instructor Pilot of the Year (1987); named a 1997 Distinguished Engineer of the
College of Engineering, Texas Tech University. Military decorations include the
Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Aerial Achievement
Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, two
NASA Group Achievement Awards for work on the X-38 Development Team and the
Orbiter Upgrade Definition Team.
EXPERIENCE:
After graduation from Texas Tech University in May 1980, Husband was
commissioned a second lieutenant in the USAF and attended pilot training at
Vance Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma. He graduated in October 1981, and was
assigned to F-4 training at Homestead AFB, Florida. After completion of F-4
training in September 1982, Husband was assigned to Moody AFB, Georgia flying
the F-4E. From September to November 1985, he attended F-4 Instructor School at
Homestead AFB and was assigned as an F-4E instructor pilot and academic
instructor at George AFB, California in December 1985. In December 1987, Husband
was assigned to Edwards AFB, California, where he attended the USAF Test Pilot
School. Upon completion of Test Pilot School, Husband served as a test pilot
flying the F-4 and all five models of the F-15. In the F-15 Combined Test Force,
Husband was the program manager for the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229
increased performance engine, and also served as the F-15 Aerial Demonstration
Pilot. In June 1992, Husband was assigned to the Aircraft and Armament
Evaluation Establishment at Boscombe Down, England, as an exchange test pilot
with the Royal Air Force. At Boscombe Down, Husband was the Tornado GR1 and GR4
Project Pilot and served as a test pilot in the Hawk, Hunter, Buccaneer, Jet
Provost, Tucano, and Harvard. He has logged over 3800 hours of flight time in
more than 40 different types of aircraft.
NASA
EXPERIENCE: Husband was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in December
1994. He reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995 to begin a year of
training and evaluation. Upon completion of training, Husband was named the
Astronaut Office representative for Advanced Projects at Johnson Space Center,
working on Space Shuttle Upgrades, the Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) and studies to
return to the Moon and travel to Mars. Most recently, he served as Chief of
Safety for the Astronaut Office. He flew as pilot on STS-96 in 1999, and has
logged 235 hours and 13 minutes in space. Husband is assigned to command the
crew of STS-107 scheduled for launch in 2003.
SPACE
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-96 Discovery (May 27 to June 6, 1999) was a 10-day
mission during which the crew performed the first docking with the International
Space Station and delivered 4 tons of logistics and supplies in preparation for
the arrival of the first crew to live on the station early next year. The
mission was accomplished in 153 Earth orbits, traveling 4 million miles in 9
days, 19 hours and 13 minutes.
JANUARY
2003
WILLIAM
C. MCCOOL (COMMANDER, USN)
NASA ASTRONAUT
PERSONAL
DATA: Born September 23, 1961 in San Diego, California. Married. He enjoys
running, mountain biking, back country hiking/camping, swimming, playing guitar,
chess.
EDUCATION:
Graduated from Coronado High School, Lubbock, Texas, in 1979; received a
bachelor of science degree in applied science from the US Naval Academy in 1983,
a master of science degree in computer science from the University of Maryland
in 1985, and a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the US
Naval Postgraduate School in 1992.
ORGANIZATIONS:
U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.
SPECIAL
HONORS: Eagle Scout; graduated second of 1,083 in the Class of 1983 at the US
Naval Academy; presented “Outstanding Student” and “Best DT-II Thesis”
awards as graduate of U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Class 101; awarded Navy
Commendation Medals (2), Navy Achievement Medals (2), and various other service
awards.
EXPERIENCE:
McCool completed flight training in August 1986 and was assigned to Tactical
Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 at Whidbey Island, Washington, for initial EA-6B
Prowler training. His first operational tour was with Tactical Electronic
Warfare Squadron 133, where he made two deployments aboard USS CORAL SEA (CV-43)
to the Mediterranean Sea, and received designation as a wing qualified landing
signal officer (LSO). In November 1989, he was selected for the Naval
Postgraduate School/Test Pilot School (TPS) Cooperative Education Program. After
graduating from TPS in June 1992, he worked as TA-4J and EA-6B test pilot in
Flight Systems Department of Strike Aircraft Test Directorate at Patuxent River,
Maryland. He was responsible for the management and conduct of a wide variety of
projects, ranging from airframe fatigue life studies to numerous avionics
upgrades. His primary efforts, however, were dedicated to flight test of the
Advanced Capability (ADVCAP) EA-6B. Following his Patuxent River tour, McCool
returned to Whidbey Island, and was assigned to Tactical Electronic Warfare
Squadron 132 aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65). He served as Administrative and
Operations Officer with the squadron through their work-up cycle, receiving
notice of NASA selection while embarked on ENTERPRISE for her final
pre-deployment at-sea period.
McCool
has over 2,800 hours flight experience in 24 aircraft and over 400 carrier
arrestments.
NASA
EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in April 1996, McCool reported to the Johnson Space
Center in August 1996. He completed two years of training and evaluation, and is
qualified for flight assignment as a pilot. Initially assigned to the Computer
Support Branch, McCool also served as Technical Assistant to the Director of
Flight Crew Operations, and worked Shuttle cockpit upgrade issues for the
Astronaut Office. He is assigned as pilot on STS-107 scheduled for launch in
2003.
JANUARY
2003
NAME:
Michael
P. Anderson (Lieutenant Colonel, USAF)
NASA Astronaut
PERSONAL
DATA: Born December 25,
1959, in Plattsburgh, New York. Considers Spokane, Washington, to be his
hometown. Married. He enjoys photography, chess, computers, and tennis.
EDUCATION:
Graduated from Cheney
High School in Cheney, Washington, in 1977. Bachelor of science degree in
physics/astronomy from University of Washington, 1981. Master of science degree
in physics from Creighton University, 1990.
SPECIAL
HONORS: Distinguished
graduate USAF Communication Electronics Officers course. Recipient of the Armed
Forces Communication Electronics Associations Academic Excellence Award 1983.
Received the USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training Academic Achievement Award for
Class 87-08 Vance AFB. Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the USAF
Meritorious Service Medal, and the USAF Achievement Medal with one oak leaf
cluster.
EXPERIENCE:
Anderson graduated form
the University of Washington in 1981 and was commissioned a second lieutenant.
After completing a year of technical training at Keesler AFB Mississippi he was
assigned to Randolph AFB Texas. At Randolph he served as Chief of Communication
Maintenance for the 2015 Communication Squadron and later as Director of
Information System Maintenance for the 1920 Information System Group. In 1986 he
was selected to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma. Upon
graduation he was assigned to the 2nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron,
Offutt AFB Nebraska as an EC 135 pilot, flying the Strategic Air Commands
airborne command post code-named "Looking Glass". From January 1991 to
September 1992 he served as an aircraft commander and instructor pilot in the
920th Air Refueling Squadron, Wurtsmith AFB Michigan. From September 1992 to
February 1995 he was assigned as an instructor pilot and tactics officer in the
380 Air Refueling Wing, Plattsburgh AFB New York. Anderson has logged over 3000
hours in various models of the KC-135 and the T-38A aircraft.
NASA
EXPERIENCE: Selected by
NASA in December 1994, Anderson reported to the Johnson Space Center in March
1995. He completed a year of training and evaluation, and is qualified for
flight crew assignment as a mission specialist. Anderson was initially assigned
technical duties in the Flight Support Branch of the Astronaut Office. Most
recently, he flew on the crew of STS-89. In completing his first space flight
Anderson has logged over 211 hours in space. Anderson is assigned to the crew of
STS-107 scheduled to launch in 2003.
SPACE
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-89
(January 22-31, 1998), was the eighth Shuttle-Mir docking mission during
which the crew transferred more than 9,000 pounds of scientific equipment,
logistical hardware and water from Space Shuttle Endeavour to Mir.
In the fifth and last exchange of a U.S. astronaut, STS-89 delivered Andy Thomas
to Mir and returned with David Wolf. Mission duration was 8 days, 19
hours and 47 seconds, traveling 3.6 million miles in 138 orbits of the Earth.
AUGUST
2002
DAVID
M. BROWN (CAPTAIN, USN)
NASA ASTRONAUT
PERSONAL
DATA: Born April 16, 1956 in Arlington, Virginia. Single. Enjoys flying and
bicycle touring. Was a four year collegiate varsity gymnast. While in college he
performed in the Circus Kingdom as an acrobat, 7 foot unicyclist and stilt
walker. His parents, Paul and Dorothy Brown, reside in Washington, Virginia.
EDUCATION:
Graduated from Yorktown High School, Arlington, Virginia, in 1974; received
bachelor of science degree in biology from the College of William and Mary in
1978 and a doctorate in medicine from Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1982.
ORGANIZATIONS:
Past President, International Association of Military Flight Surgeon Pilots.
Associate Fellow, Aerospace Medical Association. Society of U.S. Naval Flight
Surgeons.
SPECIAL
HONORS: Navy Operational Flight Surgeon of the Year in 1986, Meritorious Service
Medal, Navy Achievement Medal.
EXPERIENCE:
Brown joined the Navy after his internship at the Medical University of South
Carolina. Upon completion of flight surgeon training in 1984, he reported to the
Navy Branch Hospital in Adak, Alaska, as Director of Medical Services. He was
then assigned to Carrier Airwing Fifteen which deployed aboard the USS Carl
Vinson in the western Pacific. In 1988, he was the only flight surgeon in a ten
year period to be chosen for pilot training. He was ultimately designated a
naval aviator in 1990 in Beeville, Texas, ranking number one in his class. Brown
was then sent for training and carrier qualification in the A-6E Intruder. In
1991 he reported to the Naval Strike Warfare Center in Fallon, Nevada, where he
served as a Strike Leader Attack Training Syllabus Instructor and a Contingency
Cell Planning Officer. Additionally, he was qualified in the F-18 Hornet and
deployed from Japan in 1992 aboard the USS Independence flying the A-6E with
VA-115. In 1995, he reported to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School as their flight
surgeon where he also flew the T-38 Talon.
Brown
has logged over 2,700 flight hours with 1,700 in high performance military
aircraft. He is qualified as first pilot in NASA T-38 aircraft.
NASA
EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in April 1996, Brown reported to the Johnson Space
Center in August 1996. Having completed two years of training and evaluation, he
is eligible for flight assignment as a mission specialist. He was initially
assigned to support payload development for the International Space Station,
followed by the astronaut support team responsible for orbiter cockpit setup,
crew strap-in, and landing recovery. He is currently assigned to the crew of
STS-107 scheduled to launch in 2003.
JANUARY
2003
KALPANA
CHAWLA (PH.D.)
NASA ASTRONAUT
PERSONAL
DATA: Born in Karnal, India. Kalpana Chawla enjoys flying, hiking, back-packing,
and reading. She holds Certificated Flight Instructor's license with airplane
and glider ratings, Commercial Pilot's licenses for single- and multi-engine
land and seaplanes, and Gliders, and instrument rating for airplanes. She enjoys
flying aerobatics and tail-wheel airplanes.
EDUCATION:
Graduated from Tagore School, Karnal, India, in 1976. Bachelor of science degree
in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India, 1982. Master
of science degree in aerospace engineering from University of Texas, 1984.
Doctorate of philosophy in aerospace engineering from University of Colorado,
1988.
EXPERIENCE:
In 1988, Kalpana Chawla started work at NASA Ames Research Center in the area of
powered-lift computational fluid dynamics. Her research concentrated on
simulation of complex air flows encountered around aircraft such as the Harrier
in "ground-effect." Following completion of this project she supported
research in mapping of flow solvers to parallel computers, and testing of these
solvers by carrying out powered lift computations. In 1993 Kalpana Chawla joined
Overset Methods Inc., Los Altos, California, as Vice President and Research
Scientist to form a team with other researchers specializing in simulation of
moving multiple body problems. She was responsible for development and
implementation of efficient techniques to perform aerodynamic optimization.
Results of various projects that Kalpana Chawla participated in are documented
in technical conference papers and journals.
NASA
EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in December 1994, Kalpana Chawla reported to the
Johnson Space Center in March 1995 as an astronaut candidate in the 15th Group
of Astronauts. After completing a year of training and evaluation, she was
assigned as crew representative to work technical issues for the Astronaut
Office EVA/Robotics and Computer Branches. Her assignments included work on
development of Robotic Situational Awareness Displays and testing space shuttle
control software in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory.
In
November, 1996, Kalpana Chawla was assigned as mission specialist and prime
robotic arm operator on STS-87 (November 19 to December 5, 1997). STS-87 was the
fourth U.S Microgravity Payload flight and focused on experiments designed to
study how the weightless environment of space affects various physical
processes, and on observations of the Sun's outer atmospheric layers. Two
members of the crew performed an EVA (spacewalk) which featured the manual
capture of a Spartan satellite, in addition to testing EVA tools and procedures
for future Space Station assembly. In completing her first mission, Kalpana
Chawla traveled 6.5 million miles in 252 orbits of the Earth and logged 376
hours and 34 minutes in space. In January, 1998, Kalpana Chawla was assigned as
crew representative for shuttle and station flight crew equipment. Subsequently,
she was assigned as the lead for Astronaut Office’s Crew Systems and
Habitability section. She is currently assigned to the crew of STS-107 scheduled
for launch in 2003.
JANUARY
2003
Name:
Laurel Clark
Position:
Mission Specialist
History:
Clark, 41, a U.S. Navy commander and flight surgeon, was making her first flight
into space. A medical school graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison,
Clark was taking part in a variety of biological experiments.
LAUREL
BLAIR SALTON CLARK, M.D. (COMMANDER, USN)
NASA ASTRONAUT
PERSONAL
DATA: Born in Iowa, but considers Racine, Wisconsin, to be her hometown. Married
with one child. She enjoys scuba diving, hiking, camping, biking, parachuting,
flying, traveling. Her parents reside in New Mexico.
EDUCATION:
Graduated from William Horlick High School, Racine Wisconsin in 1979; received
bachelor of science degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
in 1983 and doctorate in medicine from the same school in 1987.
ORGANIZATIONS:
Aerospace Medical Association, Society of U.S. Naval Flight Surgeons.
AWARDS:
Navy Commendation Medals (3); National Defense Medal, and Overseas Service
Ribbon
EXPERIENCE:
During medical school she did active duty training with the Diving Medicine
Department at the Naval Experimental Diving Unit in March 1987. After completing
medical school, Dr. Clark underwent postgraduate Medical education in Pediatrics
from 1987-1988 at Naval Hospital Bethesda, Maryland. The following year she
completed Navy undersea medical officer training at the Naval Undersea Medical
Institute in Groton Connecticut and diving medical officer training at the Naval
Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida, and was designated a
Radiation Health Officer and Undersea Medical Officer. She was then assigned as
the Submarine Squadron Fourteen Medical Department Head in Holy Loch Scotland.
During that assignment she dove with US Navy divers and Naval Special Warfare
Unit Two Seals and performed numerous medical evacuations from US submarines.
After two years of operational experience she was designated as a Naval
Submarine Medical Officer and Diving Medical Officer. She underwent 6 months of
aeromedical training at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola,
Florida and was designated as a Naval Flight Surgeon. She was stationed at MCAS
Yuma, Arizona and assigned as Flight Surgeon for a Marine Corps AV-8B Night
Attack Harrier Squadron (VMA 211). She made numerous deployments, including one
overseas to the Western Pacific, practiced medicine in austere environments, and
flew on multiple aircraft. Her squadron won the Marine Attack Squadron of the
year for its successful deployment. She was then assigned as the Group Flight
Surgeon for the Marine Aircraft Group (MAG 13). Prior to her selection as an
astronaut candidate she served as a Flight Surgeon for the Naval Flight Officer
advanced training squadron (VT-86) in Pensacola, Florida. LCDR Clark is Board
Certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and holds a Wisconsin
Medical License. Her military qualifications include Radiation Health Officer,
Undersea Medical Officer, Diving Medical Officer, Submarine Medical Officer, and
Naval Flight Surgeon. She is a Basic Life Support Instructor, Advanced Cardiac
Life Support Provider, Advanced Trauma Life Support Provider, and Hyperbaric
Chamber Advisor.
NASA
EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in April 1996, Dr. Clark reported to the Johnson
Space Center in August 1996. After completing two years of training and
evaluation, she was qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist.
From July 1997 to August 2000 Dr. Clark worked in the Astronaut Office
Payloads/Habitability Branch. She is currently assigned to the crew of STS-107
scheduled for launch in 2003.
JANUARY
2003
NAME:
Ilan
Ramon (Colonel, Israel Air Force)
Payload Specialist
PERSONAL
DATA: Born June 20,1954
in Tel Aviv, Israel. Married to Rona. They have four children. He enjoys snow
skiing, squash. His parents reside in Beer Sheva, Israel.
EDUCATION:
Graduated from High
School in 1972; bachelor of science degree in electronics and computer
engineering from the University of Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1987.
SPECIAL
HONORS/AWARDS: Yom
Kippur War (1973); Operation Peace for Galilee (1982); F-16 1,000 Flight Hours
(1992).
EXPERIENCE:
In 1974, Ramon graduated
as a fighter pilot from the Israel Air Force (IAF) Flight School. From 1974-1976
he participated in A-4 Basic Training and Operations. 1976-1980 was spent in
Mirage III-C training and operations. In 1980, as one of the IAF's establishment
team of the first F-16 Squadron in Israel, he attended the F-16 Training Course
at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. From 1981-1983, he served as the Deputy Squadron
Commander B, F-16 Squadron. From 1983-1987, he attended the University of Tel
Aviv. From 1988-1990, he served as Deputy Squadron Commander A, F-4 Phantom
Squadron. During 1990, he attended the Squadron Commanders Course. From
1990-1992, he served as Squadron Commander, F-16 Squadron. From 1992-1994, he
was Head of the Aircraft Branch in the Operations Requirement Department. In
1994, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel and assigned as Head of the
Department of Operational Requirement for Weapon Development and Acquisition. He
stayed at this post until 1998.
Colonel Ramon has accumulated over 3,000 flight hours on the A-4, Mirage III-C,
and F-4, and over 1,000 flight hours on the F-16.
NASA
EXPERIENCE: In 1997,
Colonel Ramon was selected as a Payload Specialist. He is designated to train as
prime for a Space Shuttle mission with a payload that includes a multispectral
camera for recording desert aerosol. In July 1998, he reported for training at
the Johnson Space Center, Houston. He is currently assigned to STS-107 scheduled
to launch in 2003.
AUGUST
2002