Astronaut Mary Cleave, born February 5, 1947 and went into space twice, passed away November 27, 2023 at age 76. She flew on Atlantis (STS-61-B) as mission specialist in November-December 1985, and on Atlantis (STS-30) as mission specialist in May 1989. She spent almost 11 days in space.
STS-30 crew (L-R): Ronald Grabe, David Walker, Norman Thagard, Mary Cleave, Mark Lee
Mission patch
Space shuttle Atlantis (STS-30), launched May 4, 1989, deployed the Magellan space probe to Venus. Atlantis' crew consisted of Commander David Walker, Pilot Ronald Grabe, Mark Lee, Norman Thagard and Mary Cleave.
The Magellan probe was deployed only 6 hours and 14 minutes after takeoff. The crew returned home May 8.
Back row L-R: Charles Walker, Jerry Ross, Mary Cleave, Sherwood Spring, Rodolfo Neri Vela
Front row L-R: Bryan O'Connor, Brewster Shaw
Mission patch
Space Shuttle Atlantis blasted off November 26, 1985 from Kennedy Space Center for the 23rd mission of the shuttle program. The takeoff came just 54 days after the launch of STS-51-J, the quickest turnaround between launches. Her crew consisted of Commander Brewster Shaw, Pilot Bryan O'Connor, Mission Specialist 1 Jerry Ross, Mission Specialist 2 Mary Cleave, Mission Specialist 3 Sherwood Spring, Payload Specialist Charles Walker and Payload Specialist 2 Rodolfo Neri Vela.
Vela is the first Mexican astronaut in space. Jerry Ross and Sherwood Spring performed two EVAs to demonstrate the feasibility of assembling large structures in space.
Atlantis returned to Earth December 3 at Edwards Air Force Base.
