Kent Rominger, Space Shuttle astronaut, born 1956

Ken Rominger, born August 7, 1956 in Del Norte, Colorado, is a veteran of five space shuttle flights.  

His first flight was aboard Columbia (STS-73) as pilot in October 1995.  It was the second mission of the US Microgravity Laboratory.  

His second flight was aboard Columbia (STS-80) as pilot in November-December 1996. It was the longest Shuttle mission at 17 days, 15 hours and 53 minutes.

His third flight was aboard Discovery (STS-85) as pilot in August 1997.  Rominger was originally not assigned to this flight, but replaced Jeffrey Ashby, who asked to be relieved in order to take care of his dying wife.

His fourth flight was aboard Discovery (STS-96) as commander to the International Space Station in May-June 1999.

His fifth and final flight was aboard Endeavour (STS-100) as commander to the ISS in April-May 2001.  The mission installed the Canadarm2 robotic arm.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Tammy Jernigan!

Tamara Elizabeth Jernigan, born May 7, 1959 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a veteran of 5 space shuttle flights.

Her first flight was on board Columbia (STS-40) in June 1991 as mission specialist.  It was the first flight to have 3 female astronauts.

Her second mission was also on Columbia (STS-52) in October-November 1992.  On this mission, ashes of Gene Roddenberry were carried during the flight.

Jernigan's third flight was on Endeavour (STS-67) in March 1995.  At just over 16 1/2 days, it was Endeavour's longest flight.

Her fourth mission was back on Columbia (STS-80) in December 1996. At just over 17 1/2 days, it was the longest shuttle flight ever.

Her fifth and final flight was on board Discovery (STS-96) May-June 1999.  It was the first space  shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

She retired from NASA in 2001 and is married to fellow ex-astronaut Peter Wisoff.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Kenneth Cockrell!

Kenneth Cockrell, born April 9, 1950 in Austin, Texas, is a veteran of five shuttle missions.  He was selected as an astronaut in January 1990.

His first flight was on Discovery (STS-56) as mission specialist in April 1993. 

His second flight was aboard Endeavour (STS-69) as pilot in September 1995.  During the mission, the Wake Shield Facility was deployed.

His third mission was on Columbia (STS-80) as commander November-December 1996.

He served as commander on his fourth mission on Atlantis (STS-98) to the International Space Station in February 2001, the first flight of the 21st century.

His final mission was on Endeavour (STS-111) in June 2002 to the ISS.  The mission carried the crew of Expedition 5 and returned with Expedition 4.

In 2006, he was reassigned to the Flight Crew Operations' Aircraft Operations Division at Ellington Field.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Tom Jones!

Thomas Jones, born January 22, 1955 here in Baltimore, Maryland, is a veteran of four (magic number!) space shuttle flights.  He graduated from high school in Essex and got his Bachelor's Degree from the United States Air Force Academy.  While serving 6 years in the Air Force, he got pilot training in Oklahoma!  Wikipedia doesn't say where, though.

His first flight was on Endeavour (STS-59) in April 1994 as mission specialist.  His second flight was also on Endeavour (STS-68) September-October 1994 as mission specialist.

He was scheduled to conduct two EVAs during his third mission on Columbia (STS-80) with fellow astronaut Tammy Jernigan in November-December 1996.  However, problems with the airlock hatch resulted in both being cancelled.

His fourth and final mission was on Atlantis (STS-98) in February 2001 to the International Space Station.  This time he completed three successful EVAs totaling over 19 hours in space.

He retired from NASA in 2001.

Columbia (STS-80) launched 1996

Back row (L-R): Tamara Jernigan, Thomas Jones

Front row (L-R): Kent Rominger, Story Musgrove, Kenneth Cockrell

Mission patch

Columbia blasted off November 19, 1996 was the longest Space Shuttle flight, lasting 17 days, 15 hours and 53 minutes.  Her crew was Commander Kenneth Cockrell, Pilot Kent Rominger, Mission Specialist Story Musgrave, Mission Specialist Thomas Jones and Mission Specialist Tamara Jernigan.

Tom Jones and Tamara Jernigan were to have performed two EVAs but both were cancelled.