Happy birthday, astronaut Barry Wilmore!

Barry Wilmore, born December 29, 1962 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has been in space twice, and will return in 2021.

His first trip into space was aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-129) as pilot to the International Space Station in November 2009. He celebrated Thanksgiving with the other crew members and the residents of the International Space Station.

His second flight was aboard Soyuz TMA-10M to the International Space Station in September 2014.  He participated in Expeditions 41 and 42.  He returned to Earth in March 2015 after more than 167 days in space.

He is scheduled to be commander of the Boeing Crewed Flight Test (Boe-CFT), the first crewed mission of the Boeing Starliner to the International Space Station, expected to launch in July 2021.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Nicole Stott!

Nicole Stott, born November 19, 1962 in Albany, New York, has been in space two times.

Her first trip was aboard Discovery (STS-128) as mission specialist to the International Space Station in August 2009. She performed an EVA with fellow astronaut John Olivas for 6 hours and 35 minutes.

Stott remained on board the ISS as part of Expeditions 20 and 21.  She returned Earth aboard Atlantis (STS-129) in November 2009. 

Her second and final flight was aboard Discovery (STS-133) as mission specialist to the ISS in February-March 2011.  She has stayed more than 103 days in space.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Robert Satcher!

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.  

Happy birthday, astronaut Randy Bresnik!

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.

He has spent over 149 days in space.

Celebrating Black History Month - Dr. Robert Satcher, Jr. 1st Orthopedic Surgeon astronaut

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. 

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.

Atlantis (STS-129) launched 2009

Front row (L-R): Charles Hobaugh, Barry Wilmore

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.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Charles Hobaugh!

Charles Owen Hobaugh, born November 5, 1961 in Bar Harbor, Maine, is a veteran of three space shuttle flights.  His first flight was on Atlantis (STS-104) in July 2001, when he served as pilot.

He served as pilot on Endeavour (STS-118) in August 2007.

In November 2009, he flew his third and final flight on Atlantis (STS-129) in November 2009 as commander.