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Endeavour STS-130
Commander George Zamka will lead the STS-130 mission to the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Endeavour. Terry Virts Jr. will serve as the pilot. Mission specialists are Nicholas Patrick, Robert Behnken, Stephen Robinson and Kathryn Hire. Virts will be making his first trip to space. Endeavour will deliver a third connecting module - the Tranquility node - to the station and a seven-windowed cupola to be used as a control room for robotics. The mission will feature three spacewalks. STS-130 is the 32nd shuttle mission to the station.
NASA
INVITES PUBLIC TO TWEET THEIR WAY INTO SPACE NEXT WEEK HOUSTON -- The Twitterverse and
universe will converge during space Astronaut Mike Massimino will be
accepting questions for the crew from At 2:24 a.m. CST on Feb. 11, Massimino
will host an interactive event The public is invited to start
tweeting questions for Endeavour's crew Endeavour's 13-day STS-130 mission
will include three spacewalks and Attached to Tranquility is a cupola,
which houses a robotic control The time and day of the Twitter
session are subject to change due to
There is an 80 percent chance of favorable weather for launch. NASA Television is providing live
commentary of external tank loading and launch commentary and the NASA
Launch Blog will begin at 11:30 p.m. Mike Moses, shuttle launch integration manager, said, "We're really looking forward to this launch carrying up node 3 and the cupola. "From the shuttle program perspective, looking at our launch readiness, we're in really good shape. We had a fantastic review this morning," continued Moses, "Unanimous poll, everyone's pressing forward to go for launch." Bernardo Patti, ESA's International Space Station program manager, said how happy and proud he is to see the last two European elements ready for the space station. He also commented on the great support and cooperation between the space agencies and how rewarding the process has been. Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director, reported his team is not tracking any technical issues and everything is on track for the rotating service structure rollback at 8 a.m. Saturday and loading of the external fuel tank with propellants around 7:15 p.m. "The team is energized and excited about the countdown... looking forward to getting Endeavour off the ground Sunday morning," said Leinbach. Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer, said the forecast has improved and there's only a 20 percent chance weather would be an issue at launch time. Although it may be a little chilly and breezy, no constraints should be violated. The forecast at the transoceanic abort landing sites in Spain and France also looks favorable. Saturday at 7 p.m., NASA TV will air the fueling of Endeavour's external tank at www.nasa.gov/ntv. At 11:30 p.m., live launch coverage will kick off on NASA TV. You also can follow Endeavour's
exciting countdown to launch with NASA's Launch Blog from inside Kennedy's
Firing Room 3 beginning at 11:30 p.m. and continuing through main engine
cutoff -- when Endeavour reaches orbit on its two-day race to the
station. Preps and tests at Launch Pad 39A will continue with final flight crew stowage occurring after communications checks Saturday. The rotating service structure that protects the shuttle from inclement weather prior to launch will be moved away from the vehicle at about 8 a.m. EST Saturday. NASA Payload Manager Joe Delai described the processing of the Tranquility node as one of the most complex modules he's had the privilege of working with. "We all should be proud of what we've done… and I'm very proud to work with this team," Delai said. Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters said the forecast is looking good for launch day with a 70 percent chance that weather will cooperate for liftoff. Winds will continue to be monitored, but Winters said it looks like they should subside enough for launch. Weather also is looking very good for the loading of space shuttle Endeavour's external fuel tank with propellants at about 7:15 p.m. Saturday. Endeavour's 13-day, STS-130 mission is
scheduled for liftoff at 4:39 a.m. Sunday.
EDUCATION: Harrow School, London, England,
1978-82. ORGANIZATIONS: Dr. Patrick is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and is a registered Professional Engineer (Mechanical). SPECIAL HONORS: Entrance scholarship (‘Exhibition’) to the University of Cambridge (Trinity College), 1983; GE Aircraft Engines Development Program Project Award for contributions to manufacturing inventory reduction, 1988; JSC Center Director’s Discretionary Award for contributions to the user-interface of the Space Shuttle’s Cockpit Avionics Upgrade, 2002. Dr. Patrick holds three patents in the areas of telerobotics, display design, and integrated aircraft alerting systems. EXPERIENCE: While at university in England, Dr. Patrick spent his summers as a civil engineer, inspecting bridges in New York and Connecticut. After graduating from Cambridge, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked as an engineer for the Aircraft Engines Division of GE. He then attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was a research assistant in the Human-Machine Systems Lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His research interests included telerobotics, aviation psychology, decision theory, optimization, and econometrics. Upon completion of his doctorate, Dr. Patrick joined Boeing’s Commercial Airplane Group in Seattle, Washington, where he worked in Flight Deck Engineering as a systems and human-factors engineer on many of Boeing’s commercial aircraft models. Dr. Patrick learned to fly as a member of the Royal Air Force’s Volunteer Reserve while attending Cambridge University. After moving to the United States, Dr. Patrick continued flying, eventually becoming an instrument and multi-engine flight instructor. He has logged over 2,000 hours as a pilot in more than 20 types of airplane and helicopter, including over 800 hours as a flight instructor. NASA EXPERIENCE: Dr. Patrick reported to NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) for astronaut training in August 1998. His initial training included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, and T-38 flight training. When not training for spaceflight, Dr. Patrick has worked in the Astronaut Office on space shuttle’s Cockpit Avionics Upgrade program, to define the human-systems integration requirements for the Orion capsule, on the design of the Orion cockpit, and as a CAPCOM in Mission Control for STS-123 and -124. Dr. Patrick has logged over 308 hours in space, having completed his first space mission on the crew of STS-116 – a construction and logistics mission to the International Space Station. He is currently assigned to the crew of STS-130, targeted for launch in February 2010. SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-116 Discovery (December 9-22, 2006). The seven-member crew on this 12-day mission continued construction of the ISS outpost by adding the P5 truss segment and performing four spacewalks, one of which was added to allow the crew to coax and retract a stubborn solar panel to fold up like an accordion into its box. Discovery also delivered a new crew-member and more than two tons of equipment and supplies to the station. Almost two tons of items no longer needed on the station returned to Earth with STS-116. Mission duration was 12 days, 20 hours and 45 minutes. JANUARY 2010
The STS-130 astronauts will fly to Kennedy tonight in Shuttle Training Aircraft, which are modified Gulfstream II jets. Landing at the Shuttle Landing Facility is expected around 10:30 p.m. EST. NASA TV will air the crew's arrival live on the Web at www.nasa.gov/ntv . Liftoff of Endeavour to the
International Space Station is set for 4:39 a.m. Feb. 7. The countdown to
launch begins 2 a.m. Thursday. "We reviewed all the aspects of the shuttle and space station… the processing in Florida has gone exceptionally well ," said Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations, during a post-FRR news conference Wednesday. "This is really a complicated mission … if you take a look through the press kits you'll gain an appreciation of what will be going on at the station." International Space Station Program Manager Mike Suffredini agreed, "This is the primary objective of this mission -- the installation and activation of this module." Suffredini addressed the issues with the ammonia hoses and how the spares had been rebuilt and tested, keeping the launch date on target. "The team deserves an enormous amount of credit for coming up with that solution and implementing it as quickly as they were able to do." Mike Moses, space shuttle launch integration manager, said it was a clean vehicle and clean flow. "We're real proud of the work everyone has done." Mike Leinbach, space shuttle launch
director, said, "We're in outstanding shape." He also said Endeavour's aft
doors will be closed eight to nine days ahead of schedule and the teams
are looking at a standard flow ahead. "There are no problems and we're in
great shape," said Leinbach. Pad maintenance and checks will be conducted until launch day, which is targeted for Feb. 7 at 4:39 a.m. EST. The six STS-130 mission astronauts will review flight data and practice in-flight maintenance procedures today at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. At the conclusion of the
executive-level Flight Readiness Review that will be held at Kennedy on
Jan. 27, the official launch date will be announced during a press
briefing. The astronauts will complete their prelaunch training at Kennedy this afternoon with a bench review of flight crew equipment and are scheduled to fly back to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston tomorrow. Launch teams at the pad conducted a walkdown of the shuttle to ensure there was no damage from the unusually icy weather conditions experienced last week. They also will continue testing and maintenance until liftoff. Endeavour is targeted to launch at 4:39 a.m. EST Feb. 7 to deliver the Italian-built Tranquility with its attached cupola to the International Space Station. On Jan. 27, an executive-level Flight Readiness Review meeting will be held at Kennedy to assess the readiness of the shuttle, flight crew and payloads to proceed with the countdown. The official launch date will be set
at the review and announced during a press briefing following the
meeting. The six astronauts for the STS-130
mission fly to Kennedy to start their The six astronauts for the STS-130
mission fly to Kennedy this evening to start their Terminal Countdown
Demonstration Test and related training. They're scheduled to arrive in
T-38 jets at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility at about 6 p.m. The
arrival will be carried live on NASA Television. Leak checks will be performed today on the ground umbilical carrier plate quick disconnect, or GUCP. The GUCP is the overboard vent to the pad and the flame stack where the vented hydrogen is burned off. During the weekend, launch pad teams will open the rotating service structure that protects the shuttle from inclement weather and the environment in anticipation of the STS-130 mission payload delivery scheduled for early Monday morning. At NASA's Johnson Space Center in
Houston, Endeavour's six astronauts are preparing for their Terminal
Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. The crew is scheduled to arrive at
Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility in their T-38 jets on Monday at 6 p.m.
EST. Thursday, January 14, 2010 Preps Continue Toward a Targeted Feb. 7 Launch At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers at Launch Pad 39A began loading fuel into space shuttle Endeavour's orbital maneuvering system and auxiliary power units. The process is expected to be completed today. Payload for the STS-130 mission, consisting of the Italian-built Tranquility node and its attached cupola, will be transported to the pad beginning at 4 a.m. EST Saturday. Once there, it will be lifted and stored in the payload changeout room. Near NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Mission Specialists Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken will be immersed in the massive pool in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab to practice techniques for their first spacewalk. Meanwhile, Commander George Zamka and Pilot Terry Virts will practice shuttle landings at White Sands Space Harbor in Las Cruces, N.M., in the Shuttle Training Aircraft.
The payload for the STS-130 mission, including the Italian-built Tranquility node and the cupola, which is attached to one end of the node, is scheduled to be transported to the pad Friday. Engineers have made significant progress toward a solution to a problem with one of the four high-pressure ammonia jumper hoses that failed during a prelaunch test Jan 7.? The four hoses will be used to connect Tranquility to the International Space Station's cooling system after installation by Endeavour's crew members. NASA managers and Boeing, the station's prime contractor, are working simultaneously on three options, one of which may support a target launch of Endeavour on Feb. 7. The options include modifying the hose design that failed during testing, creating a second set from ground spares for hoses currently on the station, executing a minimal activation of Tranquility with no active cooling that would require the hoses be flown on a later flight, or delayed full activation. NASA managers will review these options and make decisions later this week.? Meanwhile, at NASA's Johnson Space Center in
Houston, the STS-130 astronauts practice spacewalking techniques in the
pool at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab. Throughout the weekend, technicians will prepare space shuttle Endeavour for prelaunch propellant servicing at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The shuttle continues to be sheltered from the space coast's uncharacteristically cold temperatures with heaters and warm air purges. This process will keep the spacecraft's systems at an appropriate temperature. At NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, the STS-130 crew will spend the day reviewing flight crew equipment. Endeavour's six astronauts will participate in the prelaunch dress rehearsal known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT, Jan. 19-21 at Kennedy. This training will include simulated countdown activities, equipment familiarization and emergency egress procedures. Endeavour Stays Warm in Chilly Florida Thursday, January 07, 2010 10:00:16 AM - On Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour is being protected from unusually cold weather with heaters and warm air purges. This process will keep the spacecraft's systems at an appropriate temperature. Overnight, technicians installed the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate, or GUCP, on the shuttle's external fuel tank and testing on the connections will be performed today. The GUCP is the vent to the pad and the flame stack where vented hydrogen is burned off. Meanwhile at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Endeavour's six astronauts will be practicing an integrated re-entry simulation. On Jan. 19-21, the STS-130 crew will be at Kennedy to participate in the prelaunch dress rehearsal known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT. Endeavour's crew members will have an opportunity to participate in simulated countdown activities, equipment familiarization and emergency training procedures. Endeavour on the Move to Pad Wednesday, January 06, 2010 NASA SHUTTLE AT LAUNCH PAD FOR FINAL SCHEDULED NIGHT LAUNCH; CREW SET TO ARRIVE FOR PRACTICE LIFTOFF CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After reaching its launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida Wednesday, space shuttle Endeavour now awaits its next major milestone for the upcoming STS-130 mission. Endeavour arrived at Launch Pad 39A at 8:45 a.m. EST Wednesday on top of a giant crawler-transporter. The crawler-transporter left Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at 4:13 a.m., traveling less than 1 mph during the 3.4-mile journey. The shuttle was secured on the pad at 10:37 a.m. With Endeavour on the pad, the STS-130 astronauts and ground crews can participate in the practice countdown and related training starting Jan. 19. The rehearsal provides each shuttle crew with an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. The six astronauts for Endeavour's STS-130 mission will deliver a third connecting module, the Tranquility node, to the International Space Station. Endeavour's Feb. 7 target liftoff is at 4:39 a.m., making it the final scheduled space shuttle night launch.
At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Endeavour, atop the mobile launcher platform, began its move from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at 4:13 a.m. EST Wednesday morning. The 3.4-mile journey is expected to take about six hours. Rollout to Pad on the HorizonTuesday, January 05, 2010 8:46:13 AM At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, teams are conducting a launch countdown simulation today from Firing Room 4 in the Launch Control Center for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 mission to the International Space Station. Technicians continue to prepare the shuttle for its move, or rollout, from Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A scheduled for Wednesday with first motion planned at 4 a.m. EST. Endeavour's six astronauts will spend the day practicing an integrated simulation rendezvous with the space station at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. 12/21/2009 -Endeavour Ready for Holidays Space shuttle Endeavour's hatch has been closed and purging systems are set up to blow warm air into the shuttle and critical systems during the holiday break. Standing inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Endeavour has been bolted onto its external tank and twin solid rocket boosters. The temperature inside the shuttle will be kept at about 70 degrees with about 50 percent humidity. Warm air is circulated around the main engines and orbital maneuvering system thrusters to protect them from the colder temperatures. They will come on when the forecast calls for temperatures of 45 degrees or lower for four hours. Endeavour's next major milestone is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2010, when it is rolled out to Launch Pad 39A. Liftoff of the spacecraft on the STS-130 mission is targeted for Feb. 7 at 4:39 a.m. EST. Friday, December 18, 2009 Cold Weather Preps Made for Endeavour Shuttle Endeavour has been prepared for its move from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 6, 2010. Technicians have placed heaters in the VAB to protect the shuttle stack's systems in case there is cold weather during the holiday break. The astronauts for the STS-130 mission will conduct proximity operations today during their training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Endeavour is targeted to launch Feb. 7 at 4:39 a.m. EST on a construction flight to the International Space Station. Endeavour will carry the Tranquility module and Cupola to the orbiting laboratory. STS-130 Targets Feb. 7, Astronauts Polish Skills Space shuttle Endeavour's mission to the International Space Station is targeted to begin Feb. 7, 2010, with a 4:39 a.m. EST liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians working in Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building completed preparing Endeavour for its rollout to Launch Pad 39A. Following a holiday break, rollout is scheduled to begin Jan. 6, 2010, at 4 a.m. In Houston, the crew of Endeavour is taking part in an integrated simulation with the Flight Dynamics Officer and Booster Systems Engineer at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Thursday, December 16, 2009 Endeavour, Crew Prep for STS-130 At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians are completing the shuttle interface and hydraulic leak tests in the Vehicle Assembly Building today. Space shuttle Endeavour and its solid rocket boosters will be powered down and prepared for their move, or rollout, to Launch Pad 39A scheduled for early January 2010.
The six STS-130 mission astronauts will carry out a variety of administrative duties this morning at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Commander George Zamka and Pilot Terry Virts also will practice shuttle landing techniques in T-38 jets and NASA's Shuttle Training Aircraft.
Endeavour's Rollover Completed Monday, December 14, 2009 STS 130 Mission Updates Today at 10:17 AM Space shuttle Endeavour has completed the move from Orbiter Processing Facility-2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. First motion was at 12:53 p.m. EST and the shuttle, perched on the Orbiter Transport System, completed its journey to the VABs transfer aisle at 2:08 p.m. Technicians now will attach the lifting sling to the shuttle for rotation and hoisting and attach it to the external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters waiting on the mobile launcher platform. Space shuttle Endeavour has completed the move from Orbiter Processing Facility-2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. First motion was at 12:53 p.m. EST and the shuttle, perched on the Orbiter Transport System, completed its journey to the VABs transfer aisle at 2:08 p.m. Friday, December 11, 2009 2:25:49 PM Space shuttle Endeavour has completed the move from Orbiter Processing Facility-2 to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. First motion was at 12:53 p.m. EST and the shuttle, perched on the Orbiter Transport System, completed its journey to the VABs transfer aisle at 2:08 p.m. Technicians now will attach the lifting sling to the shuttle for rotation and hoisting and attach it to the external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters waiting on the mobile launcher platform. 12/8/2009 New Date for Endeavour's Rollover Space shuttle Endeavour will be moved from its hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida a day earlier than planned. First motion from Orbiter Processing Facility-2 to the VAB, is targeted for 1 p.m. EST on Dec. 11, pending good weather and approval from a review meeting scheduled for Friday morning. Managers moved up the rollover after evaluating Endeavour's processing progress and confirming the change wouldn't adversely affect the team. Forecasters are calling for possible bad weather on Saturday, so targeting rollover for Friday gives the team additional flexibility to make the move this week. Once in the VAB, Endeavour will be attached to the waiting solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank for its STS-130 mission to the International Space Station, currently targeted to launch in early February. Wheel Balance for Endeavour Wednesday, December 09, 2009 8:37:09 AM Technicians at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida will lower space shuttle Endeavour onto its wheels, weigh it and balance it today for its upcoming move into the Vehicle Assembly Building. Tomorrow, Endeavour will be hooked up to the vehicle that will tow it from Orbiter Processing Facility-2 to the VAB. The move, or rollover, is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. EST on Saturday. At NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, the six STS-130 astronauts are conducting an integrated simulation to practice techniques for the second of three scheduled spacewalks. Shuttle Endeavour, with its payload of the Tranquility node and the seven-windowed Cupola module, is targeted to launch Feb. 4, 2010. Earth's Moon
Endeavour on Track for Saturday's Move to the VABTechnicians in Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are working to get space shuttle Endeavour ready to be lowered onto its wheels in preparation for its move into the Vehicle Assembly Building. Yesterday, the shuttle was powered down, the tires pressurized and the side hatch closed for its upcoming move, known as rollover, scheduled to start at 7 a.m. EST Saturday. Once in the VAB, the shuttle will be lifted and attached to the waiting external tank and twin solid rocket boosters. The six STS-130 mission astronauts are conducting an integrated entry simulation in the motion base simulator today at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. 12/4/2009 Endeavour Testing Continues, Crew Practice on Mock-up Cupola At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, technicians in Orbiter Processing Facility-2 are completing three days of leak testing on Endeavour's environmental control and life support system. They'll also finish structural leak tests today and begin orbiter positive pressure tests that will continue throughout the weekend. The pressure tests confirm the crew compartment holds pressure before a shuttle is moved from its hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building. The six STS-130 astronauts wrap up the week rehearsing Cupola relocation techniques today at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Endeavour, Crew Prepare for Next Mission Technicians in Orbiter Processing Facility-2 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida are preparing space shuttle Endeavour for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building on Dec. 12. They're taking samples and filling the nitrogen gas system of the environmental control and life support system for the shuttle. Techs also are conducting tests of the space shuttle main engine and aerosurface hydraulics today. The team finished the brake, anti-skid and nose wheel steering checks yesterday. Endeavour's STS-130 mission astronauts ?are conducting a variety of systems training exercises today at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Spotlight on STS 130 Crew National Aeronautics and Space Administration George D. Zamka (Colonel, USMC)
NASA AstronautPERSONAL DATA Born in 1962 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Raised in New York City; Irvington, New York; Medellin, Colombia and Rochester Hills, Michigan. Married to the former Elisa P. Walker of Mississippi. They have two children. He enjoys weight lifting, running, bicycling, scuba and boating. His mother, Sofia Zamka and brother Conrad P. Zamka both live in Florida. His father, Conrad Zamka resides in Indiana. EDUCATION Graduated from Rochester Adams High School, Rochester Hills Michigan, in 1980; received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the United States Naval Academy in 1984; received a Masters of Science degree in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1997. ORGANIZATIONS United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, Marine Corps Association, and Marine Corps Aviation Association. SPECIAL HONORS Navy Strike Air Medal (6), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, and various other military service and campaign awards. Distinguished Graduate, United States Naval Academy. Commodore’s list and Academic Achievement Award, Training Air Wing Five. Recipient of four NASA Superior Accomplishment Awards and a GEM Award. EXPERIENCE Zamka was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from the United States Naval Academy in May 1984. After basic flight training, he was trained as an A-6E pilot at Whidbey Island, Washington in 1987-88. He then flew with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron VMA(AW)-242 in El Toro, California. He served in administration and flight safety roles and also as Squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor. In 1990, he trained to be an F/A-18 pilot and was assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA(AW)-121, also in El Toro. He flew the F/A-18D Night Attack Hornet during overseas deployments to Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Southwest Asia. Zamka flew 66 combat missions over occupied Kuwait and Iraq during Desert Storm. In 1993 he served with First Battalion, Fifth Marines in Camp Pendleton, California and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Western Pacific. He was selected to attend the United States Air Force Test Pilot School class 94A and graduated in December 1994. Zamka was then assigned as an F/A-18 test pilot/project officer and the F/A-18 Operations Officer for the Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron (NSATS). While assigned to NSATS, Zamka flew a wide variety of tests in the F/A-18 Hornet to include high angle of attack, loads, flutter, crew equipment, and weapon system programs. Zamka returned to VMFA(AW)-121 in 1998 and was serving as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer, deployed to Iwakuni, Japan, when selected for the astronaut program. He has over 4000 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft. NASA EXPERIENCE Selected as a pilot by NASA in June 1998, he reported for astronaut candidate training in August 1998. He has served in various technical and leadership roles in the astronaut office, to include space rendezvous and proximity operations, landing and rollout instructor, and lead for shuttle systems within the Shuttle Operations Branch. Zamka served as lead for the shuttle training and procedures division and as supervisor for the astronaut candidate class of 2004. In 2007 he completed his first space flight as pilot on STS-120. Zamka will command the crew of STS-130, targeted for launch in February 2010. SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE STS-120 Discovery (October 23-November 7, 2007) launched from and returned to land at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. During the mission, the Node 2 element named “Harmony” was delivered to the International Space Station. This element opened up the capability for future international laboratories to be added to the station. In addition, the P6 Solar Array was re-located from the Z1 Truss to the end of the port side of the Integrated Truss Structure. During the re-deploy of the array, the array panels snagged and were damaged. An unplanned spacewalk was successfully performed to repair the array. The mission was accomplished in 238 orbits, traveling 6.2 million miles in 15 days, 2 hours, and 23 minutes. STS 130 Crew Spotlight KATHRYN P. (KAY) Hire (CAPTAIN, U.S. Navy Reserve)
NASA ASTRONAUTPERSONAL DATA: Born in Mobile, Alabama, Hire enjoys competitive sailing, snow skiing, scuba diving, and fishing. EDUCATION: Murphy High School, Mobile, Alabama, 1977. Bachelor of Science degree in engineering resources management from the U.S. Naval Academy, 1981. Master of Science degree in space technology from Florida Institute of Technology, 1991. ORGANIZATIONS: Association of Space Explorers, Naval Aviation Foundation, U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, U.S. Sailing Association. SPECIAL HONORS: Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NASA Space Flight Medal. EXPERIENCE: Commissioned as a Naval Officer in 1981, Hire earned her Naval Flight Officer Wings in 1982. She flew worldwide oceanographic research missions aboard specially configured P-3 Orion aircraft with Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight (VXN-8), then served as an instructor for student naval flight officers at the Naval Air Training Unit. In 1989, Hire left full time naval ranks and joined the Navy Reserve at Jacksonville, Florida. Her subsequent tours of duty included Squadron Augment Unit VP-0545 and Anti-submarine Warfare Operations Center 0574 and 0374. On May 13, 1993, Hire, became the first female in the U. S. military to be assigned to a combat aircrew, when she reported to Patrol Squadron Sixty-Two (VP-62). Flying aboard the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, she participated in Atlantic and Caribbean operations. Hire continued her Navy Reserve duty with USS Kitty Hawk 0482, Tactical Support Center 0682, Seventh Fleet 111, and U. S. Naval Central Command 108. Recalled to active naval duty, she supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of U .S. Naval Central Command staff. Hire later returned to reserve status and served as Commanding Officer of Navy Reserve Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) 1010 in Austin, Texas. Her current Navy Reserve assignment with SPAWAR supports Integration and Interoperability Programs. NASA EXPERIENCE: Hire began work at the Kennedy Space Center in 1989, first as an Orbiter Processing Facility 3 Activation Engineer and later as a Space Shuttle Orbiter Mechanical Systems Engineer for Lockheed Space Operations Company. In 1991, she certified as a Space Shuttle Test Project Engineer (TPE) and headed the checkout of the Extravehicular Mobility Units (spacesuits) and Russian Orbiter Docking System. In 1994, she was assigned Supervisor of Space Shuttle Orbiter Mechanical Systems and Launch Pad Access Swing Arms. Selected by NASA for astronaut training in December 1994, Hire reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. After a year of training, she initially worked in mission control as a spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM). Since then she has served as the Astronaut Office Lead for Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL), Shuttle Payloads, Flight Crew Equipment, the Astronaut Office Shuttle Branch, and the Astronaut Support Personnel (ASP) team, traveling to Florida in support of crew operations conducted at the Kennedy Space Center. Hire flew as Mission Specialist-2 on STS-90 Neurolab (1998) and logged over 381 hours in space. She is assigned to the crew of STS-130, targeted for launch in February 2010. SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-90 Neurolab (April 17 – May 3, 1998). During the 16-day Spacelab flight, the seven-member crew aboard Space Shuttle Columbia served as both experiment subjects and operators for 26 life science experiments focusing on the effects of microgravity on the brain and nervous system. The STS-90 flight orbited the Earth 256 times, and covered 6.3 million miles. Spotlight on STS 130 Crew
Terry Virts (Colonel, USAF)
STS 130 PilotPERSONAL DATA: Born in December 1967 in Baltimore, Maryland, but considers Columbia, Maryland, to be his hometown. Married to the former Stacy Hill of Columbia, Maryland. They have two children. Terry enjoys running, baseball, astronomy, photography, and church activities. His parents reside in Maryland. EDUCATION: Oakland Mills High School, Columbia, Maryland, 1985. B.S., Mathematics (French minor), U.S. Air Force Academy, 1989. M.A.S., Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1997. SPECIAL HONORS/AWARDS: Graduated with Academic Distinction from the United States Air Force Academy and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Distinguished Graduate of Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, and F-16 training at Macdill Air Force Base, Florida. Military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, et al. EXPERIENCE: Virts attended the Ecole de l’Air (French Air Force Academy) in 1988 on an exchange program from the United States Air Force Academy. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989. He earned his pilot wings from Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, in 1990. From there he completed basic fighter and F-16 training and was assigned to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, as an operational F-16 pilot in the 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron. After Hurricane Andrew struck Homestead in 1992, his squadron was moved to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. From 1993 to 1994 he was assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, where he flew low altitude night attack missions in the F-16. Following his tour in Korea, he was reassigned to the 22nd Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, from 1995 to 1998. There he flew the suppression of enemy air defenses missions, logging 45 combat missions in the F-16. Virts was selected for Test Pilot School in 1997 and was a member of the USAF Test Pilot School class 98B at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Following graduation, he was an Experimental Test Pilot at theF-16 Combined Test Force at Edwards from 1999 until his selection as a member of the 18th group of astronaut candidates in 2000. He has logged over 3,800 flight hours in more than 40 different aircraft. NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected as a pilot by NASA in July 2000, Virts reported for training in August 2000. His technical assignments to date have included lead astronaut for the T-38 program, Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) test crewmember, Expedition 9 crew support astronaut, and lead astronaut for appearances. He has worked as a CAPCOM from Expedition 8 through 19 as well as STS-115 through STS-126, communicating with station and shuttle crews from mission control in Houston. Most recently he served as the lead Ascent and Entry CAPCOM. Virts is assigned as pilot on the crew of STS-130, targeted for launch in February 2010.
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Make National Voice Your Home Page Missing Children
Code Amber News Service (CANS) issued this Missing Endangered person Alert after the girl disappeared from her bedroom some time after 3 AM Tuesday morning in Satsuma. Satsuma is approximately 75 miles east of Gainsville. Haleigh Cummings a white female, 3 feet tall, weighs 39 pounds and has blond hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink shirt and underwear. There are no suspects in this case at this time. However, due to the circumstances of the child's disappearance an abduction is strongly suspected. There is no suspect vehicle at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Putnam County Sheriff's office at (386) 329-0808 or dial 911. Download free video of missing Florida child Haleigh Cummings Email this alert to a friend in the area.
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