Happy birthday, astronaut James Buchli!

James Buchli, born June 20, 1945 in New Rockford, North Dakota, flew into space four times with NASA's Space Shuttle program.  He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1967 and received a commission in the US Marine Corps.  He served in the Vietnam War as a Platoon Commander with the 9th Marine Regiment, and then for B Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion.  He returned to the US in 1969 and completed his training as a naval flight officer. 

Buchli was chosen as an astronaut in 1979.  His first flight was aboard Discovery (STS-51-C) as mission specialist in January 1985.  The mission was dedicated to the US Department of Defense, and he returned to Earth after just over 3 days in space.

His second mission was aboard Challenger (STS-61-A) as flight engineer in October-November 1985, the last successful mission of the Challenger.  He spent seven days in space.

Buchlil's third mission was aboard Discovery (STS-29) as mission specialist in March 1989 to insert a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) into orbit. He spent almost 5 days in space before returning to Earth.

His fourth and final mission was aboard Discovery (STS-48) as mission specialist in September 1991 to deploy the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS).  He returned to Earth after more than 5 days in space.

Buchli retired from NASA in 1992

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut John Creighton!

John Creighton, born April 28, 1943 in Orange, Texas, is a veteran of three space shuttle flights.

His first mission was aboard Discovery (STS-51-G) as pilot in June 1985.  The mission objective was to release three communication satellites, from Mexico, the Arab Satellite Communications Organization and AT&T.

His second flight was aboard Atlantis (STS-36) as commander in February 1990.  The mission carried a classified payload for the US Department of Defense.

His third and final flight was aboard Discovery (STS-48) as commander in September 1991.  Its primary mission was to deploy the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite.

In total, Creighton spent over 16 days, 20 hours in space.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle Kenneth Reightler!

Kenneth Reightler, born March 24, 1951 in Patuxent River, Maryland, has been to space twice.

His first trip into space was aboard Discovery (STS-48) as pilot in September 1991.  The mission's main goal was to deploy the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite.

His second and final trip was aboard Discovery (STS-60) again as pilot in February 1994.  The mission carried the first cosmonaut, Sergei Krikalev, to fly aboard a Space Shuttle.  The flight carried the Wake Shield Facilty into space.

Discovery (STS-48) launched 1991

STS-48 crew

Front row (L-R): Mark Brown, John Creighton, Kenneth Reightler 

Back row (L-R): Charles Gemar, James Buchli

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-48), launched September 12, 1991, carried the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) into space.  Its crew consisted of Commander John Creighton, Pilot Kenneth Reightler, Charles Gemar, James Buchli, and Mark Brown.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Charles Gemar!

Charles "Sam" Gemar, born August 4, 1955 in Yankton, South Dakota, is a veteran of three space shuttle missions and obtain the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army.

His first mission was aboard Atlantis (STS-38) as mission specialist in November 1990.  The flight carried a classified payload into space for the Department of Defense.

His second flight was aboard Discovery (STS-48) as mission specialist in September 1991.

His third and final flight was aboard Columbia (STS-62) with fellow astronaut/birthday twin Andrew Allen.

Gemar has spent over 24 days in space.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Mark Brown!

Mark Neil Brown, born November 18, 1951 in Valparaiso, Indiana, has flown on two Space Shuttle missions.

His first was on Columbia (STS-28) in August 1989 as mission specialist. The details of the mission are classified.

His second and last flight was on Discovery (STS-48) in September 1991, also as mission specialist.