Alan Poindexter, Space Shuttle astronaut, born 1961

Alan Poindexter, born November 5, 1961 in Pasadena, California went into space twice.

His first trip was aboard Atlantis (STS-122) as pilot to the International Space Station in February 2008. The main objective of the mission was to deliver the European Columbus science laboratory, built by the European Space Agency, to the ISS.

His second and final mission was aboard Discovery (STS-131) as commander to the International Space Station in April 2010.  The mission carried supplies and equipment to the ISS.

Poindexter passed away from injuries he suffered in a water scooter accident in July 2012.

Happy birthday Space Shuttle astronaut Stanley Love!

Stanley Love, born June 8, 1965 in San Diego, California, went into space aboard Atlantis (STS-122) as mission specialist to the International Space Station in February 2008. During the mission he conducted two EVAs with fellow astronaut Rex Walheim.

Atlantis (STS-122) launched 2008

STS-122 crew

Front row (L-R): Stephen Frick, Leopold Eyharts, Alan Poindexter

Back row (L-R): Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Stanely Love, Hans Schlegel

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-122), launched February 7, 2008, delivered the ESA's Columbus science laboratory to the International Space Station.  Its crew consisted of Commander Stephen Frick, Pilot Alan Poindexter, Leland Melvin, Rex Walheim, Hans Schlegel (ESA), Stanley Love and Leopold Eyharts (ESA).

Walheim and Love conducted 3 EVAs during the mission, totaling 22 hours, 8 minutes.  Eyharts remained on the ISS and Daniel Tani returned with the rest of the crew February 20.

Happy birthday, German astronaut Hans Schlegel!

Hans Schlegel, born August 3, 1951 in Germany, is an ESA astronaut and has been into space twice on space shuttle missions.

His first trip into space was aboard Columbia (STS-55) as a payload specialist in April-May 1993.  It was an international cooperative effort between the United States, Germany and nine other nations.

His second and final trip was aboard Atlantis (STS-122) as a mission specialist in February 2008 to the International Space Station.  He performed an EVA with fellow astronaut Rex Walheim for 6 hours and 45 minutes.

Celebrating Black History Month (and birthday) - Leland Melvin, Space Shuttle astronaut

Leland Melvin, born February 15, 1964 in Lynchburg, Virginia, is an African-American astronaut and a veteran of two space shuttle flights.  He graduated from the University of Richmond with a degree in Chemistry! 

He was recruited by the Detroit Lions in the 11th round of the 1986 NFL Draft as a wide receiver but pulled a hamstring during training and was released.

Melvin was selected as an astronaut in 1998 and flew on his first mission in February 2008 on Atlantis (STS-122) as mission specialist to the International Space Station.

His second was aboard Atlantis (STS-129) in November 2009 as mission specialist to the ISS.

He retired from NASA in February 2014.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Daniel Tani!

Daniel Tani, born February 1, 1961 in Pennsylvania, is a veteran of three Space Shuttle missions.

His first mission was on Endeavour (STS-108) in December 2001 as a mission specialist to the International Space Station.  He completed an EVA with Linda Godwin that lasted 4 hours and 12 minutes.

Before his next flight, he served as an aquanaut on NEEMO 2, NASA's underwater laboratory Aquarius for a week under the Atlantic Ocean.

His second trip to space was aboard Discovery (STS-120) to the ISS in October 2007.  He remained aboard the ISS as part of Expedition 16, during which he performed the 100th EVA in support of the building the ISS with Peggy Whitson.

He returned to Earth aboard Atlantis (STS-122) in February 2008.