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Caldwell-Dyson, Tracy Ellen

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Caldwell Credit: www.spacefacts.de

Status: Active 1998-on. Born: 1969-08-14. Spaceflights: 2 . Total time in space: 188.80 days. Birth Place: Arcadia, California.

Educated Cal State-Fullerton; UCD.

Official NASA Biography as of June 2016:Tracy Caldwell Dyson (Ph.D.)
NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born in Arcadia, California. Married to George Dyson IV. Caldwell Dyson enjoys sports, hiking, and auto repair/maintenance. She competed in intercollegiate track and field at California State University, Fullerton (CSU Fullerton), as both a sprinter and long jumper.

EDUCATION: Received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from CSU Fullerton, 1993 and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California at Davis, (UC Davis) 1997.

SPECIAL HONORS: NASA Space Flight Medal, 2007, 2010; NASA Distinguished Service Medal, 2010; NASA Go the Extra Mile (GEM) Award, 2001; NASA Superior Accomplishment Award, 2000; Outstanding Doctoral Student Award in Chemistry from UC Davis, 1997; Patricia Roberts Harris Graduate Fellowship in Chemistry, 1993-1997; Lyle Wallace Award for Service to the Department of Chemistry, CSU Fullerton, 1993; National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Award, 1992. Council of Building & Construction Trades Scholarship, 1991-1992; Big West Scholar Athlete, 1989-1991.

EXPERIENCE: As an undergraduate researcher at CSU Fullerton, Caldwell Dyson designed, constructed and implemented electronics and hardware associated with a laser-ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometer for studying atmospherically relevant gas phase chemistry. During that time she also worked as an electrician/inside wireman for her father's electrical contracting company doing commercial and light industrial construction. At UC Davis, Caldwell Dyson taught general chemistry laboratory and began her graduate research. Her dissertation work focused on investigating molecular level surface reactivity and kinetics of metal surfaces using electron spectroscopy, laser desorption, and Fourier transform mass spectrometry techniques. She also designed and built peripheral components for a variable temperature, ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy system. In 1997, she received the Camille and Henry Drefus Postdoctoral Fellowship in environmental science to study atmospheric chemistry at the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine). There, she investigated reactivity and kinetics of atmospherically relevant systems using atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopies. In addition, she developed methods of chemical ionization for spectral interpretation of trace compounds. Caldwell Dyson has published and presented her work in numerous papers at technical conferences and in scientific journals. She is a private pilot and conversational in American Sign Language (ASL) and Russian.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected as an astronaut by NASA in June 1998, Caldwell Dyson reported for training in August. In 1999, she was first assigned to the Astronaut Office International Space Station Operations branch as a Russian crusader, participating in the testing and integration of Russian hardware and software products developed for the International Space Station (ISS). In 2000, she was assigned prime crew support astronaut for Expedition 5 to the ISS, serving as their representative on technical and operational issues throughout the training and in-orbit phase of their mission. Caldwell Dyson has worked inside the Mission Control Center as spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for both space shuttle and space station operations, serving also as the lead CAPCOM for ISS Increment 11. Other technical assignments included flight software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) and supporting shuttle launch and landing operations at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Upon returning from her station mission, Caldwell Dyson established and led a large, multidisciplinary troubleshooting team focused on improving stowage and cargo transfer processes aboard the ISS. During her two flights, Caldwell Dyson logged over 188 days in space, including more than 22 hours in three spacewalks.

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-118 (August 8, 2007 through 21, 2007) was the 119th space shuttle flight, the 22nd flight to the space station, and the 20th flight for Endeavour. During the mission, the crew successfully added truss segment S5 and a new gyroscope. As a mission specialist, Caldwell Dyson assisted in flight deck operations on ascent and also aided in rendezvous/docking operations with the ISS. Caldwell Dyson operated Endeavour's robotic arm to maneuver the Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) and handover the S5 truss segment to the space station, and served as the intravehicular (IV) crew member, directing the four spacewalks. Traveling 5.3 million miles in space, the STS-118 mission was completed in 12 days, 17 hours, 55 minutes and 34 seconds.

Caldwell Dyson launched aboard a Soyuz TMA 18 crew capsule on April 2, 2010, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, docking with the space station two days later to join the Expedition 23 crew. For the next 174 days, Caldwell Dyson lived and worked aboard the ISS as a flight engineer on Expeditions 23/24. Caldwell Dyson performed three successful contingency spacewalks to remove and replace the failed pump module on the station, logging 22 hours and 49 minutes of spacewalk time. The Expedition 24 crew returned to a safe landing in central Kazakhstan on September 25, 2010. In completing this long duration mission, Caldwell Dyson logged a total of 176 days in space.

JULY 2014

NAME: Tracy E. Caldwell (Ph.D.)

NASA Astronaut Candidate (Mission Specialist)

PERSONAL DATA:

Born August 14, 1969 in Arcadia, California. Recreational interests include running, weight training, hiking, softball, basketball, and auto repair/maintenance. She also enjoys spending time with family and her dog Alyx. As an undergraduate, she competed in intercollegiate athletics on CSUF's track team as both a sprinter and long jumper. Her parents, James H. and Mary Ellen Caldwell, reside in Cherry Valley, California. Her sister, Stacy H. Caldwell-Tockerman, and nephew, James F. Tockerman, reside in Beaumont, California.

EDUCATION:

Graduated from Beaumont High School, Beaumont, California in 1987; received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the California State University at Fullerton in 1993 and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of California at Davis in 1997.

ORGANIZATIONS:

Sigma Xi Research Society, American Chemical Society, American Vacuum Society, American Institute of Physics, American Association of University Women.

SPECIAL HONORS:

Camille and Henry Dreyfus Postdoctoral Fellowship in Environmental Science (1997). National Research Council Associateship Award, NIST (1997, declined). Outstanding Doctoral Student Award in Chemistry from the University of California Davis (1997). American Vacuum Society - Nellie Yeoh Whetten Award (1996). American Vacuum Society Graduate Research Award (1996). Pro Femina Research Consortium Graduate Research Award (1996). Pro Femina Research Consortium Graduate Award for Scientific Travel (1996). University of California, Davis Graduate Research Award (1996). University of California, Davis Graduate Student Award for Scientific Travel (1994). Patricia Roberts Harris Graduate Fellowship in Chemistry (1993-1997). Lyle Wallace Award for Service to the Department of Chemistry, California State University Fullerton (1993). National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Award, (1992). Council of Building & Construction Trades Scholarship (1991 and 1992). Parents' Association Scholarship (1990 and 1991). Big West Scholar Athlete (1989-1991).

EXPERIENCE:

As an undergraduate researcher at the California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), Dr. Caldwell designed, constructed and implemented electronics and hardware associated with a laser-ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometer for studying atmospherically-relevant gas-phase chemistry. Also at CSUF, she worked for the Research and Instructional Safety Office as a lab assistant performing environmental monitoring of laboratories using hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials, as well as calibrating survey instruments and helping to process chemical and radioactive waste. During that time (and for many years prior) she also worked as an electrician/inside wireman for her father's electrical contracting company doing commercial and light industrial type construction. At the University of California, Davis, Dr. Caldwell taught general chemistry laboratory and began her graduate research. Her dissertation work focused on investigating molecular-level surface reactivity and kinetics of metal surfaces using electron spectroscopy, laser desorption, and Fourier transform mass spectrometry techniques. She also designed and built peripheral components for a variable temperature, ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy system. In 1997, Dr. Caldwell received the Camille and Henry Drefus Postdoctoral Fellowship in Environmental Science to study atmospheric chemistry at the University of California, Irvine. There she investigated reactivity and kinetics of atmospherically relevant systems using atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopies. In addition, she developed methods of chemical ionization for spectral interpretation of trace compounds. Dr. Caldwell has published and presented her work in numerous papers at technical conferences and in scientific journals.

Dr. Caldwell is a private pilot and also fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) as well as conversational in Russian and Spanish.

NASA EXPERIENCE:

Selected by NASA in June 1998, she reported for training in August 1998. Astronaut Candidate Training includes orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness survival techniques. Following a period of training and evaluation, she will receive technical assignments within the Astronaut Office before being assigned to a space flight.

NOVEMBER 1998

• Birth of Tracy Ellen Caldwell - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Caldwell. American chemist mission specialist astronaut 1998-on. 2 spaceflights, 188.8 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-118 (2007), Soyuz TMA-18..

• NASA Astronaut Training Group 17 selected. - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton, Archambault, Caldwell, Chamitoff, Creamer, Ferguson, Foreman, Fossum, Ham, Hilliard, Johnson, Gregory C, Johnson, Gregory H, Love, Melvin, Morgan, Nespoli, Oefelein, Olivas, Patrick, Poindexter, Pontes, Reisman, Swanson, Vittori.

  The group was selected to provide pilot, engineer, and scientist astronauts for space shuttle flights.. Qualifications: Pilots: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. Advanced degree desirable. At least 1,000 flight-hours of pilot-in-command time. Flight test experience desirable. Excellent health. Vision minimum 20/50 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 vision; maximum sitting blood pressure 140/90. Height between 163 and 193 cm.

  Mission Specialists: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics and minimum three years of related experience or an advanced degree. Vision minimum 20/150 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20. Maximum sitting blood pressure of 140/90. Height between 150 and 193 cm.. Of 25 Americans, eight pilots and 17 mission specialists.

• STS-118 - . Call Sign: Endeavour. Crew: Caldwell, Drew, Hobaugh, Kelly, Scott, Mastracchio, Morgan, Williams, Dave. Payload: Endeavour F20 / S5, Spacehab. Mass: 121,823 kg (268,573 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Caldwell, Drew, Hobaugh, Kelly, Scott, Mastracchio, Morgan, Williams, Dave. Agency: NASA. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TMA-10, STS-117 ISS EO-15, STS-118. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Duration: 12.75 days. Decay Date: 2007-08-21 . USAF Sat Cat: 32008 . COSPAR: 2007-035A. Apogee: 348 km (216 mi). Perigee: 337 km (209 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.40 min.

  Space Shuttle Endeavour was launched on Aug 8 at 2236 UTC. The STS-118 stack comprised Orbiter OV-105, solid rockets RSRM-97 and external tank ET-117. The solid boosters separated 2 min after launch. At 2245 UTC the orbiter main engines cut off and ET-117 separated into an approximately 57 x 225 km x 51.6 deg orbit. The OMS-2 burn at 2313 UTC put Endeavour in a higher 229 x 317 km orbit as the ET fell back to reentry around 2346 UTC.

  During ascent a large chunk of external tank foam was observed to hit the underside of the orbiter. Examination in orbit using the robotic arm showed a hole in a heat shield tile that went down to the felt mounting pad. There was considerable press discussion of the danger, but as the mission drew to a close NASA decided that no lasting damage would be incurred during reentry to the orbiter structure, and called off a potential extra spacewalk to repair the tile.

  Endeavour docked at the PMA-2 adapter on the Station at 18:02 GMT on 10 August; the hatches were opened at 20:04.

  The 14036 kg of cargo broke down as follows:

  • Bay 1-2: Orbiter Docking System, 1800 kg
  • Bay 1-2: EMU 3010, 130 kg
  • Bay 1-2: EMU 3017, 130 kg
  • Bay 3: Tunnel Adapter, 112 kg
  • Bay 5-7: Spacehab-SM Single Module, 5480 kg: Loaded with research experimental equipment and consumables to be left at the station.
  • Bay 8P: SPDU: Station Power Distribution Unit, will be left at the ISS and allow the Orbiter to draw electricity from the station while docked, allowing longer missions
  • Bay 8-10: S5 Truss, 1584 kg: a short spacer truss installed at the end of the ISS S4 truss during the mission, to eliminate interference with the S6 solar panels when they would be added later
  • Bay 11-12: ESP-3, 3400 kg: External Stowage Platform 3, left at the ISS, provided external storage for spare parts, and was delivered with a spare nitrogen tank for the truss cooling system, a spare truss battery charge/discharge unit (BCDU), a spare Canadarm-2 robot arm pitch roll joint, and a replacement Control Moment Gyro for the Z1 truss
  • Bay 11-12: CMG-3R ORU, 540 kg
  • Sill: OBSS, 450 kg
  • Sill: RMS 201, 410 kg
  The shuttle's RMS 201 robotic arm moved the S5 truss from the payload bay at 20:50 on 10 August. It was handed over to the station's Canadarm-2 robotic arm, which then attached it to the S4 truss at 17:30 on 11 August, with astronauts assisting on the first of four spacewalks of the mission. On 14 August, ESP-3 was unberthed from Endeavour's payload bay and attached to the P3 truss on the Station, where its spare parts can be reached if needed.

  Following successful completion of all cargo delivery and station assembly tasks, the crew returned to Endeavour on 18 August, undocking the next day at 11:56 GMT. Landing was moved up a day ahead of schedule because of concern a hurricane might force evacuation of the Houston Control Center on the originally-planned return date. Endeavour began its deorbit burn at 15:25 GMT on August 21 and lowered its orbit from 336 x 347 km to -28 x 342 km. It landed on runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center at 16:32 GMT. Landing mass was 100,878 kg.

• Landing of STS-118 - . Return Crew: Caldwell, Drew, Hobaugh, Kelly, Scott, Mastracchio, Morgan, Williams, Dave. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Caldwell, Drew, Hobaugh, Kelly, Scott, Mastracchio, Morgan, Williams, Dave. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-118.

• Soyuz TMA-18 - . Call Sign: Cliff. Crew: Caldwell, Korniyenko, Skvortsov, Aleksandr. Backup Crew: Borisenko, Andrei, Kelly, Scott, Samokutyayev. Payload: Soyuz 7K-STMA s/n 228. Mass: 7,200 kg (15,800 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RKA. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz TMA-18. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz TMA. Duration: 176.05 days. Decay Date: 2010-04-20 . USAF Sat Cat: 36505 . COSPAR: 2010-011A. Apogee: 361 km (224 mi). Perigee: 350 km (210 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.60 min.

  ISS EO-23. The crew first attempted to depart the ISS on 24 September. However the latches between the Soyuz and the station failed to release. Return to earth the next day was successful, with undocking at 02:03 GMT; deorbit burn at 04:31 GMT; and landing in Kazakhstan at 05:23 GMT.

• EVA ISS EO-24-2 - . Crew: Caldwell, Wheelock. EVA Duration: 0.34 days. Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-18, Soyuz TMA-19. Attempt to replace an ammonia pump module of the station cooling system on the S1 truss failed due to a quick disconnect being stuck..

• EVA ISS EO-24-3 - . Crew: Caldwell, Wheelock. EVA Duration: 0.31 days. Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-18, Soyuz TMA-19. Removed failed ammonia pump on the S1 truss and began installation of replacement..

• EVA ISS EO-24-4 - . Crew: Caldwell, Wheelock. EVA Duration: 0.31 days. Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-18, Soyuz TMA-19. Completed installation of replacement ammonia pump of the station cooling system on the S1 truss..