Jean-Jacques Favier, born April 13, 1949 in Kehl, Germany, is a French astronaut for the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), the French space agency. He went into space once, aboard Columbia (STS-78) in June-July 1996 as a payload specialist. He spent almost 17 days in space.
Back row (L-R): Jean-Jacques Favier, Richard Linnehan, Susan Helms, Charles Brady, Robert Thirsk
Mission patch
Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-78), launched June 20, 1996, studied the effects long-duration spaceflight on the human body, in preparation for International Space Station expeditions.
Its crew consisted of Commander Terence Henricks, Pilot Kevin Kregel, Richard Linnehan, Susan Helms, Charles Brady, Jean-Jacques Favier (CNES) and Robert Thirsk (CSA).
When the Solid Rocket Boosters were recovered, analysis showed damage to field joints, probably caused by hot gases. There was no action with safety, but it was similar damage that caused Challenger to break apart in 1986.
