Space Shuttle Discovery

[John S. Veteran]

I would say she's more than qualified :rolleyes:

EXPERIENCE: Collins graduated in 1979 from Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, where she was a T-38 instructor pilot until 1982. From 1983 to 1985, she was a C-141 aircraft commander and instructor pilot at Travis AFB, California. She spent the following year as a student with the Air Force Institute of Technology. From 1986 to 1989, she was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, where she was an assistant professor in mathematics and a T-41 instructor pilot. She was selected for the astronaut program while attending the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, California, from which she graduated in 1990.

She has logged over 6,280 hours in 30 different types of aircraft. Collins retired from the Air Force in January 2005.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in January 1990, Collins became an astronaut in July 1991. Initially assigned to Orbiter engineering support, Collins has also served on the astronaut support team responsible for Orbiter prelaunch checkout, final launch configuration, crew ingress/egress, landing/recovery, worked in Mission Control as a spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), served as the Astronaut Office Spacecraft Systems Branch Chief, Chief Information Officer, Shuttle Branch Chief, and Astronaut Safety Branch Chief. A veteran of three space flights, Collins has logged over 537 hours in space. She served as pilot on STS-63 (February 3-11, 1995) and STS-84 (May 15-24, 1997), and was the commander on STS-93 (July 22-27, 1999). Collins is assigned Crew Commander on STS-114. During this Return To Flight mission the crew will test and evaluate new procedures for flight safety and Shuttle inspection and repair techniques. The mission is planned for launch no earlier than July 2005.

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-63 (February 3-11, 1995) was the first flight of the new joint Russian-American Space Program. Mission highlights included the rendezvous with the Russian Space Station Mir, operation of Spacehab, the deployment and retrieval of an astronomy satellite, and a space walk. Collins was the first woman pilot of a Space Shuttle.

STS-84 (May 15-24, 1997) was NASA's sixth Shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the flight, the crew conducted a number of secondary experiments and transferred nearly 4 tons of supplies and experiment equipment between Atlantis and the Mir station.

STS-93 Columbia (July 23-27, 1999) was the first Shuttle mission to be commanded by a woman. STS-93 highlighted the deployment of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. Designed to conduct comprehensive studies of the universe, the telescope has enabled scientists to study exotic phenomena such as exploding stars, quasars, and black holes. On STS-93, Collins was the first woman Shuttle Commander.

nasa.gov

[SuperJediMedia]

That's impressive :)

[mko]

I think all Astronauts are previous jet engine pilots. However some Cosmonauts were hand picked Journalists, and there have also been plenty of scientists who usually specialise in Medicine, Space or Astrology who are specifically trained to go into space with probably no prior expertise.

But to think become a pilot of a jet engine aircraft is in itself a feat beyond most other achievements, becoming a Astronaut is like the elite best of the best.

[knightryderrwn]

Oh, So she was in the Airforce?

Kinda figured.

Ok, now I know for sure.

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Quoted directly from Commander Collins' official NASA biography:

"Collins graduated in 1979 from Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, where she was a T-38 instructor pilot until 1982. From 1983 to 1985, she was a C-141 aircraft commander and instructor pilot at Travis AFB, California. She spent the following year as a student with the Air Force Institute of Technology. From 1986 to 1989, she was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, where she was an assistant professor in mathematics and a T-41 instructor pilot. She was selected for the astronaut program while attending the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, California, from which she graduated in 1990.

She has logged over 6,280 hours in 30 different types of aircraft. Collins retired from the Air Force in January 2005."

So, yes, she was in the Air Force.

Link to her bio page: Astronaut Bio: Eileen Collins

[GrimReeper]

I think heard she is also a chemist or something. Maybe it was the astronaut they were talking to. I dont know.

[knightryderrwn]

very nice landin(Y)Y)

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Yes, it was. Now, we just have to hope that NASA figures out what caused that foam to fall off the tank during launch. :blush:h:

Bob

[ember]

very nice landing (Y)

[SuperJediMedia]

Man, millions of dollars to just accomplish this mission, but the curiousity in me about space always wants further explorations!

[nekrosoft13]

Yes, it was.  Now, we just have to hope that NASA figures out what caused that foam to fall off the tank during launch.  :blush:

Bob

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how about

well its a foam, also extreme temperature and speed doesn't help either ;)

[GrimReeper]

Its funny that now it will cost them $1M us to transport the shuttle back to Florida on a jumbo jet.

[Rob2687]

Yeah..that must be the most expensive plane ticket ever.

[SuperJediMedia]

Yeah, to me that $$$ is a bit wasted, but whatever, safety of people & shuttle not exploded is more important, right?

Wasn't the weather actually clear yesterday in Florida later on? Missed oppertunities, God sometimes I hate weather! :p

[John S. Veteran]

Quoted directly from Commander Collins' official NASA biography:

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Wow, wish I'd thought of that... :laugh:

Scroll up :p