Dr. Robert Satcher, born September 22, 1965 in Hampton, Virginia, went to the International Space Station aboard Atlantis (STS-129) in November 2009. During the mission, he performed two EVAs with fellow astronauts Michael Foreman and Randy Bresnik for a total of 12 hours 19 minutes.
He has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from MIT, and an MD from Harvard Medical School, specializing in orthopedics.
Randy Bresnik, born September 11, 1967 in Fort Knox, Kentucky, has been into space twice.
His first mission was aboard Atlantis (STS-129) as mission specialist in November 2009 to the International Space Station. He conducted two EVAs during the flight. The first with fellow astronaut Michael Foreman lasted just over 6 hours. The second EVA was conducted with Robert Satcher lasted 5 hours, 42 minutes.
His second mission was aboard Soyuz MS-05 as flight engineer launched in July 2017. He served as flight engineer for Expedition 52 and then ISS Commander for Expedition 53.
For the last day of Black History Month, I'm featuring (gasp!) a black astronaut! Robert "Bobby" Satcher, born September 22, 1965 just down the road here in Hampton, Virgina, flew on the space shuttle Atlantis (STS-129) November 2009.
During the mission, he completed two EVAs for over 12 hours. He has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from MIT and a medical doctorate from Harvard Medical School.
Back row (L-R): Leland Melvin, Michael Foreman, Robert Satcher, Randy Bresnik
Mission patch
Space Shuttle Atlantis blasted off November 16, 2009 (STS-129) on an 11-day mission to the International Space Station. Her crew consisted of Commander Charles Hobaugh, Pilot Barry Wilmore, Mission Specialist Leland Melvin, Mission Specialist (and current ISS resident) Randy Bresnik, Mission Specialist Michael Foreman and Mission Specialist Robert Satcher.
It was the second space shuttle mission that carried two African-American astronauts: Leland Melvin and Robert Satcher.
It was the 8th space shuttle mission to celebrate Thanksgiving in space.
Randy Bresnik's daughter was born the seventh day of the mission. He received the news via private phone patch from mission control before the rest of the crew was awakened. So he was able to give them the good news when they woke.
