Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-59) launched 1994

STS-59 crew

Standing (L-R): Kevin Chilton, Sidney Gutierrez

Seated (L-R): Linda Godwin, Thomas Jones, Jay Apt, Michael Clifford

STS-59 mission patch

Space shuttle Endeavour (STS-59) was launched April 9, 1994. Its crew consisted of Commander Sidney Gutierrez, Kevin Chilton, Jay Apt, Michael Clifford, Linda Godwin, and Thomas Jones. The crew was divided into two groups,  Red and Blue, and the groups split tasks and research projects throughout the mission.  

They returned to Earth eleven days later, after 183 orbits.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Sidney Gutierrez!

Sidney Gutierrez, born June 27, 1951 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a veteran of two space shuttle missions.  NASA selected him in May 1984 and he became an astronaut in June 1985.

His first flight was aboard Columbia (STS-40) as pilot in June 1991.  He spent a little over 9 hours in space.

His second and final mission was aboard Endeavour (STS-59) as commander in April 1994.  He spent over 5 days in space.  He retired from NASA shortly after.

Columbia (STS-40) launched 1991

STS-40 crew 

Front row (L-R):  Drew Gaffney, Millie Hughes-Fulford, Rhea Seddon, James Bagian; 

Back row (L-R): Bryan O'Connor, Tamara Jernigan, Sidney Gutierrez

Mission insignia

Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-40), launched June 5, 1991, was the first mission dedicated entirely to biology.  Its crew consisted of Commander Bryan O'Connor, Pilot Sidney Gutierrez, James Bagian, Tamara Jernigan, Rhea Seddon, Drew Gaffney and Millie Hughes-Fulford.  It was also the first mission to carry three female astronauts.

They carried out experiments on themselves, 30 rodents and thousands of tiny jellyfish.

Columbia returned to Earth June 14.

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Sidney Gutierrez, first U.S.-born Hispanic astronaut

Sidney McNeill Gutierrez is an astronaut born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which makes him the first Hispanic astronaut born in the U.S.A.!  The previous Hispanic astronauts had been born elsewhere and some of them immigrated to the U.S., becoming naturalized citizens before going into space.

He has a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Academy and was a member of their Parachute Team with over 550 jumps. He became an astronaut for NASA in 1985 and has flown on two Space Shuttle missions.

His first trip into space was as pilot for Columbia (STS-40) in June 1991.  It was also the first mission dedicated completely to life sciences and the first to carry 3 women crew members.

His second mission was as commander on the Endeavour (STS-59) in April 1994.  The mission's objective was to study the Earth and her atmosphere.