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Robinson, Stephen Kern

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Robinson Credit: www.spacefacts.de

Status: Inactive; Active 1994-2012. Born: 1955-10-26. Spaceflights: 4 . Total time in space: 48.41 days. Birth Place: Sacramento, California.

Educated UCD; Stanford.

Official NASA Biography as of June 2016:Stephen K. Robinson (Ph.D.)
NASA Astronaut (FORMER)

PERSONAL DATA: Born October 26, 1955, in Sacramento, California. Enjoys flying, antique aircraft, kayaking, hiking, drawing, painting and stereo photography. Plays lead guitar in Max Q, the all-astronaut rock-n-roll band; also plays stand-up bass, banjo, mandolin, pedal-steel guitar and cello.

EDUCATION:

• Campolindo High School, Moraga, California (1973)
• Dual Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, University of California at Davis (1978)
• Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University (1985)
• Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford University (1990)

ORGANIZATIONS: Experimental Aircraft Association.

SPECIAL HONORS: NASA Ames Honor Award for Scientist (1989); American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Outstanding Technical Paper Award for Applied Aerodynamics (co-author) (1992); NASA/Space Club Low Memorial Engineering Fellowship (1993); NASA Spaceflight Medal (1997, 1998, 2005, 2010); NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal (2000); UC Davis Medal (2005); NASA Thorne Safety Award (2007); NASA Distinguished Service Medal (2011).

EXPERIENCE: Dr. Robinson started working for NASA in 1975 as a student co-op at NASA's Ames Research Center in California. After working as a graphic artist, surveyor, musician and radio disc jockey, he joined NASA Ames in 1979 as a research scientist in the fields of fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, experimental instrumentation and computational scientific visualization. While at NASA Ames, Robinson earned Master's and Doctorate degrees from Stanford University, with research emphasis in turbulence physics and additional research in human-eye dynamics. Robinson also founded and operated a computer graphics software firm in Silicon Valley from 1982 to 1986. In 1990, Robinson was selected as Chief of the Experimental Flow Physics Branch at NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia, where he led a group of 35 engineers and scientists engaged in aerodynamics and fluid physics research. In 1993, Robinson was awarded the NASA/Space Club Low Memorial Engineering Fellowship and was assigned for 15 months to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as Visiting Engineer in the Man Vehicle Laboratory (MVL). As an MVL team member, he conducted neurovestibular research on astronauts on the Spacelab Life Sciences 2 shuttle mission (STS-58). Additional MIT research included spacewalk dynamics for satellite capture and space construction. While at MIT, Robinson was also a visiting scientist at the U.S. Department of Transportation's Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, doing research on environmental modeling for flight simulation, cockpit human factors for Global Positioning System (GPS)-guided instrument approach procedures and moving-map displays. Robinson returned to NASA Langley in September 1994, where he accepted a dual assignment as research scientist in the Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Branch and as leader of the Aerodynamics and Acoustics element of NASA's General Aviation Technology program. Robinson has been flying since age 14 and has logged more than 3,500 hours in flight vehicles ranging from antique tail-draggers to NASA space shuttles.

ASTRONAUT EXPERIENCE: Dr. Robinson was selected as an astronaut in December 1994 and reported to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, in March 1995. He held a wide variety of technical assignments within the Astronaut Office, including testing space shuttle flight control software, developing onboard computer and flight crew equipment, helping to develop the International Space Station robot arm and leading an astronaut team to specify window requirements for the Orion spacecraft. He has also served as Spacecraft Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) in the Mission Control Center for 17 shuttle missions, including lead CAPCOM for the final shuttle mission, STS-135. The CAPCOM functions as the voice link between space shuttle crews and Mission Control. More recently, Robinson served for two years as Chief of Safety for the Astronaut Office. Beginning in January 2012, Robinson served as Director of the NASA Johnson Space Center Virtual Reality Laboratory as well as Chief of Aviation Safety for the Astronaut Office.

Stephen Robinson retired from NASA on June 30, 2012, after 17 years as an Astronaut and 36 years of NASA service. He is now Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California, Davis.

Dr. Stephen Robinson has flown on four space shuttle missions and has served as a backup crew member for the fourth crew of the International Space Station:

Shuttle Mission STS-85 Discovery (August 7 to August 19, 1997) was a 12-day mission, during which the crew deployed and retrieved the Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers & Telescopes for the Atmosphere - Shuttle Palette Satellite (CRISTA-SPAS) satellite, operated the Japanese Manipulator Flight Demonstration (MFD) robot arm, studied changes in the Earth's atmosphere and tested technology destined for use on the International Space Station. Robinson's responsibilities on STS-85 included flying both the shuttle robot arm and the experimental Japanese robot arm and serving as a contingency spacewalker. The mission was accomplished in 189 Earth orbits, traveling 4.7 million miles in 284 hours and 27 minutes.

Shuttle Mission STS-95 Discovery (October 29 to November 7, 1998) was a nine-day science mission, during which the crew supported more than 80 payloads, including deployment of the Spartan solar-observing spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope Orbital Systems Test Platform and investigations on spaceflight and the aging process with crew member John Glenn. As Payload Commander, Robinson was responsible for the accomplishment of all scientific objectives by the crew. As Prime Operator of the shuttle's robot arm, Robinson deployed and retrieved the Spartan satellite. The mission was accomplished in 134 Earth orbits, traveling 3.6 million miles in 213 hours and 44 minutes.

International Space Station Expedition 4 Backup (July 1999 to December 2001) Robinson served as backup crew member for the station Expedition 4 crew, which included cosmonaut training and certification in Star City, Russia.

Shuttle Mission STS-114 Discovery (July 26 to August 9, 2005) was the "Return to Flight" mission; the first shuttle flight in the two and-a-half years after the loss of space shuttle Columbia. The objective of the mission was to resupply the International Space Station and evaluate new procedures for flight safety and shuttle inspection and repair techniques. Robinson served as Flight Engineer and also performed three spacewalks, totaling 20 hours and 5 minutes, including an unplanned and unprecedented repair of space shuttle Discovery's heat shield. After a two-week, 5.8 million mile journey in space, Discovery and her crew returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Mission duration was 333 hours, 32 minutes and 48 seconds in 219 Earth orbits.

Shuttle Mission STS-130 Endeavour (February 8 to February 21, 2010) launched at night, carrying the International Space Station's final permanent modules: Tranquility (Node 3) and the seven-windowed Cupola viewing station. Tranquility is now the life support hub of the ISS, containing exercise, water recycling and environmental control systems. Robinson served as Flight Engineer, as Spacewalk Operations Officer to direct the three spacewalks from inside Endeavour and as chief mechanic for outfitting the new Node 3. During the two-week mission, Endeavour and her crew traveled more than 5.7 million miles and completed 217 orbits of the Earth, touching down at night at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

In total, flying on STS-85 in 1997, STS-95 in 1998, STS-114 in 2005 and STS-130 in 2010, Robinson has logged more than 1,156 hours (48 days) and 19.8 million miles in space, including more than 20 hours of spacewalking.

JULY 2012

This is the only version available from NASA. Updates must be sought directly from Stephen Robinson.

NAME: Stephen K. Robinson (Ph.D.)

NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA:

Born October 26, 1955, in Sacramento, California. Unmarried. Enjoys flying, antique aircraft, swimming, canoeing, hiking, music, art, computer graphics and stereo photography. His parents, William and Joyce Robinson, reside in Moraga, California.

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EDUCATION:

Graduated from Campolindo High School, Moraga, California, 1973; Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical/aeronautical engineering from University of California at Davis, 1978; Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, 1985; Doctorate in mechanical engineering, with a minor in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University, 1990.

ORGANIZATIONS:

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Aerospace Medical Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association.

SPECIAL HONORS:

NASA Ames Honor Award for Scientist (1989); American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Outstanding Technical Paper Award for Applied Aerodynamics (co-author) (1992); NASA/Space Club G.M. Low Memorial Engineering Fellowship (1993).

EXPERIENCE:

Robinson started work for NASA in 1975 as a student co-op at NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. After graduation from University of California at Davis, he joined NASA Ames as a research scientist in the fields of fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, experimental instrumentation, and computational scientific visualization. While at Ames, Robinson earned masters and doctorate degrees in mechanical engineering at Stanford University, with research emphasis in turbulence physics, and additional research in human eye dynamics. In 1990, Robinson was selected as Chief of the Experimental Flow Physics Branch at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, with responsibility for 8 wind tunnels and an engineering staff engaged in aerodynamics and fluids research. In 1993, Robinson was awarded the NASA/Space Club G.M. Low Memorial Engineering Fellowship, and was assigned for 15-months to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as Visiting Engineer in the Man Vehicle Laboratory (MVL). As an MVL team-member, he conducted neurovestibular research on astronauts on the Spacelab Life Sciences 2 Shuttle mission (STS-58). Other MIT research included EVA dynamics for satellite capture and space construction. While in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Robinson was also a visiting scientist at the U.S. Department of Transportation's Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, doing research on environmental modeling for flight simulation, cockpit human factors for GPS-guided instrument approach procedures, and moving-map displays. Robinson returned to NASA Langley in September 1994, where he accepted a dual assignment as research scientist in the Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Branch, and as leader of the Aerodynamics and Acoustics element of NASA's General Aviation Technology program. Robinson has over 1000 hours in aircraft ranging from antique taildraggers to NASA jets.

NASA EXPERIENCE:

Selected by NASA in December 1994, Dr. Robinson reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. He completed a year of training and evaluation and was assigned to the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) for the Astronaut Office Computer Support Branch.

CURRENT ASSIGNMENT:

Dr. Robinson will serve as a mission specialist on the crew of STS-85 during Discovery's 11-day mission to study changes in the Earth's atmosphere. STS-85 is targeted for a July 1997 launch.

• Birth of Dr Stephen Kern Robinson - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Robinson. American engineer mission specialist astronaut 1994-2012. 4 spaceflights, 48.4 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-85 (1997), STS-95, STS-114, STS-130..

• NASA Astronaut Training Group 15 selected. - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Altman, Anderson, Ashby, Bloomfield, Chawla, Curbeam, Edwards, Joe, Gorie, Hire, Husband, Kavandi, Kilrain, Lindsey, Lu, Melroy, Noriega, Reilly, Robinson, Sturckow.

  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.. 10 pilots and 9 mission specialists, 6 civilians and 13 military officers, chosen from 2,962 applicants, of which 122 screened in June-August 1994. 4 additional international astronauts.

• STS-85 - . Call Sign: Discovery. Crew: Brown, Curbeam, Davis, Robinson, Rominger, Tryggvason. Payload: Discovery F23 / CRISTA-SPAS-2. Mass: 116,884 kg (257,685 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Curbeam, Davis, Robinson, Rominger, Tryggvason. Agency: NASA Houston. Manufacturer: North American. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-85. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Discovery. Duration: 11.85 days. Decay Date: 1997-08-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 24889 . COSPAR: 1997-039A. Apogee: 261 km (162 mi). Perigee: 249 km (154 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. Period: 89.60 min.

  Deployed and retrieved the CRISTA-SPAS-2 (the Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere-Shuttle Pallet Satellite-2) designed to study Earth's middle atmosphere. The CRISTA-SPAS-2 was making its second flight on the Space Shuttle and represented the fourth mission in a cooperative venture between the German Space Agency (DARA) and NASA.

  CRISTA-SPAS was deployed by the RMS arm at 22:27 GMT on August 7 and was recaptured by Discovery's RMS arm at 15:14 GMT on August 16. Because of unfavorable weather conditions at the primary shuttle landing site at the Kennedy Space Center, Discovery was waved off for its scheduled August 18 landing. STS-85 landed the next day, at Kennedy Space Center at 11:08 GMT.

• Landing of STS-85 - . Return Crew: Brown, Curbeam, Davis, Robinson, Rominger, Tryggvason. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Curbeam, Davis, Robinson, Rominger, Tryggvason. Flight: STS-85. STS-85 landed at 11:08 GMT. .

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 01 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95.

  The Shuttle Discovery blasted off into a cloudless sky today at 1:19 p.m. Central time from the Kennedy Space Center to kick off a planned nine-day scientific research mission and to return John Glenn to space, 36 years, 8 months and nine days after he became the first American to orbit the Earth. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 02 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Curbeam, Glenn, Mukai, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95. The crew of Discovery sailed through an opening day in orbit this afternoon, staying ahead of schedule for the most part as they prepared the spacecraft and a slate of more than 80 experiments for nine days in orbit.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 - . Call Sign: Discovery. Crew: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Payload: Discovery F25. Mass: 116,884 kg (257,685 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Agency: NASA Houston. Manufacturer: Douglas. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-95. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Discovery. Duration: 8.91 days. Decay Date: 1998-11-07 . USAF Sat Cat: 25519 . COSPAR: 1998-064A. Apogee: 557 km (346 mi). Perigee: 536 km (333 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 95.60 min.

  The flight of STS-95 provoked more publicity for NASA than any other flight in years, due to the presence of ex-astronaut Senator John Glenn on the crew, which also included the first Spanish astronaut, Pedro Duque. The US Navy PANSAT student satellite was deployed on Oct 30 into a 550 km x 561 x 28.5 degree orbit. The Spartan 201 satellite was deployed from Discovery on November 1 and retrieved on November 3. Spartan 201 was on its fifth mission to observe the solar corona. The data on this mission would be used to recalibrate the SOHO satellite which recently resumed observation of the Sun following loss of control. Discovery landed at 17:03:31 GMT November 7 on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center.

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 03 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95. Discovery's astronauts will spend their first full day in space supporting wide-ranging activities, from releasing a small communications satellite to studying the behavior of materials at an atomic level.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 04 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Glenn, Lindsey, Parazynski, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95. Discovery's crew moved through a steady pace of experiments during the Shuttle's first full day in orbit, releasing a miniature telecommunications satellite and conducting a variety of medical and material research.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 06 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Glenn, Parazynski, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95. Discovery's crew spent much of the last half of today in preparation for tomorrow's planned release of the Spartan solar science satellite, checking out the tools and equipment that will be used during the release and separation from the satellite.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 07 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Glenn, Lindsey, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95.

  Chris Rice's "Hallelujahs" awakened Discovery's seven astronauts at 6:35 a.m. Central time today to begin their fourth day of science activities. The song was requested by pilot Steve Lindsey's wife, Diane. Today's primary activity will be deployment at 1:03 p.m. CST this afternoon of the Spartan solar physics satellite, which will fly free of Discovery for two days studying the outer layers of the sun's atmosphere. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Glenn, Mukai, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95.

  Discovery's crew released a second satellite today, a telescope package that will fly free of the Shuttle for two days to study the sun and the solar wind, research that may help scientists better understand a phenomenon that sometimes can cause widespread disruptions of communications and power supplies on Earth. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 09 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Husband, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95.

  Discovery's astronauts were awakened at 6 a.m. Central time this morning by Andy Williams' rendition of the 1962 Academy Award winning song, "Moon River." Annie Glenn requested the song as a tribute to the longstanding friendship between Williams and her husband, Payload Specialist John Glenn. The seven crew members are looking forward to some free time today, following yesterday's successful deployment of the Spartan solar physics satellite, which will study the outer layers of the sun's atmosphere until it is retrieved by Discovery tomorrow. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 12 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95.

  The SPARTAN satellite was captured and returned to its berth this afternoon, successfully completing its two-day solar science mission. SPARTAN Mission Manager Craig Toohey congratulated the crew and flight control team on their performance in executing the mission exactly as planned. Toohey said that 30 percent of the science data already had been linked to the ground and the remainder would be off-loaded at landing. SPARTAN Scientist Dr. Richard Fisher noted that investigators were pleased to have the satellite in orbit near a solar maximum cycle and that its instruments had captured sought-after data on a solar mass ejection event. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 11 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95.

  Discovery's astronauts began the second half of their flight at 5:25 a.m. Central time this morning to the sounds of Stevie Ray Vaughn's "If the House is A-Rockin," in honor of Mission Specialist Steve Robinson. Robinson is known as "Stevie Ray Robinson" by the other members of the astronaut band known as "Max Q". After enjoying a break in their schedule yesterday, the crew is focusing its attention on this afternoon's retrieval of the Spartan solar physics satellite, which has spent the past two days studying the outer layers of the sun's atmosphere. Retrieval is set for 2:45 p.m. Central time. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 13 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95.

  Music from Japan awakened Discovery's astronauts at 4:50 a.m. Central time this morning. "Wakaki Chi," a cheering song from Keio University where Payload Specialist Chiaki Mukai received her medical degree, was played in recognition of the phone call she will receive at 2:55 p.m. from Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and Minister of State for Science and Technology, Yutaka Takeyama. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 14 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95.

  The seventh day in orbit for Space Shuttle Discovery and its seven-member astronaut crew was packed with ongoing science operations. Early in the day, Mission Specialist Steve Robinson, assisted by Mission Specialist Scott Parazynski, tested the Orbiter Space Vision System. OSVS uses special markings on Spartan and the shuttle cargo bay to provide an alignment aid for the arm's operator using shuttle television images. This was its final on-orbit test before going into operational use on the next Space Shuttle flight in December as an aid in using the arm to join together the first two modules of the International Space Station. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 16 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95. Some of the 80-plus experiments aboard Discovery were being wrapped up today as the end of the STS-95 mission approaches. Others will continue through Friday afternoon, the final full day on orbit.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 15 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95. The Moody Blues awakened Discovery's seven astronauts at 4:15 a.m. Central time this morning for their eighth day of on-orbit science activities. The song, "I Know You're Out There Somewhere," was chosen by Commander Curt Brown's family.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-95 Mission Status Report # 20 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95.

  Discovery's astronauts glided to a smooth landing at the Kennedy Space Center today to wrap up a nine-day, 3.6 million mile mission which marked the return of John Glenn to orbit and saw the crew members successfully conduct more than 80 scientific experiments. Additional Details: here....

• Landing of STS-95 - . Return Crew: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, Duque, Glenn, Lindsey, Mukai, Parazynski, Robinson. Program: STS. Flight: STS-95. STS-95 landed at 17:03 GMT. .

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #01 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery launched into a clear Florida sky this morning, returning the Shuttle fleet to space and beginning a journey of exploration to the Moon, Mars and beyond.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 - . Call Sign: Discovery. Crew: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Lawrence, Noguchi, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Payload: Discovery F31 / Raffaello. Mass: 116,884 kg (257,685 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Lawrence, Noguchi, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Agency: NASA. Manufacturer: Boeing. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Discovery. Duration: 13.90 days. Decay Date: 2005-08-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 28775 . COSPAR: 2005-026A. Apogee: 350 km (210 mi). Perigee: 313 km (194 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.20 min.

  Return to flight after loss of Columbia. Delayed extensively as NASA attempted to fix the external tank foam-shedding problem that resulted in the loss of Columbia (first planned for September 12, 2004, the launch slipped to March; May 14, 15 and 22; July 13, 2005). Discovery safely reached orbit at a total mass of 121,485 kg, but extensive video coverage detected external tank foam shedding during ascent. Discovery docked at the Pirs module of the ISS on 28 July 28 at 11:18 GMT. Following replenishment of the station (using the Raffaello MPLM-6 module with 8240 kg of supplies), a series of spacewalks verified the integrity of the shuttle's heat shield and tested repair techniques, Discovery undocked from the ISS at 07:24 GMT on 6 August and landed safely on Runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base at 12:11 GMT on 9 August. However the shuttle fleet was immediately grounded again while NASA attempted to find a permanent fix to the external tank foam woes.

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #03 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Discovery crewmembers completed a camera survey of the heat shields of the leading edges of the orbiter's wings and its nose cone Wednesday. They also began preparations for Thursday's docking with the International Space Station and the mission's spacewalks. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #04 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Visitors on a Space Shuttle will arrive at the International Space Station for the first time in over two years today. The Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to catch up and dock to the Station at 6:18 a.m. CDT Thursday.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #02 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  The crew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery has awakened to its first full day in space. Today it will focus on thermal protection system inspections, preparing for docking to the International Space Station and getting spacesuits ready for three spacewalks. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #05 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. The Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station smoothly and right on time Thursday morning, after doing a planned back flip so Station crewmembers could photograph its thermal protection system.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #06 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. The first full day of joint Space Shuttle and International Space Station operations will be highlighted by installation of a cargo transportation module, additional orbiter heat shield inspections and spacewalk preparations.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Astronauts Soichi Noguchi and Steve Robinson will step outside for their first spacewalk, and the first of this mission, early Saturday. The six and a half hour spacewalk is scheduled to begin from Discovery's airlock at 3:44 a.m. CDT.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #07 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Space Shuttle and International Space Station crewmembers installed the Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module and began unloading the pressurized cargo carrier Friday. They also carried out a survey of selected areas of Discovery's thermal protection system and continued preparations for Saturday's spacewalk. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #09 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Space Shuttle Discovery's heat protective tiles and thermal blankets have been pronounced fit for entry after engineers reviewed the imagery and other data to judge their health. Analysis remains on the reinforced carbon-carbon wing leading edges and the protruding gap fillers identified earlier. Aerodynamics experts are evaluating the effect on surface heating that the gap fillers may cause to decide whether any work is necessary to reduce their size. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #10 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Transfers of additional water and supplies to the International Space Station will continue Sunday as the crew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery begins Flight Day 6. The STS-114 mission was formally extended by one day as mission managers Saturday decided to spend one more day docked to the ISS. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-114-1 - . Crew: Noguchi, Robinson. EVA Duration: 0.28 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Noguchi, Robinson. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-114.

  Robinson and Noguchi demonstrated Shuttle thermal protection repair techniques in the Shuttle bay. They also installed a stowage platform and rerouted power to ISS Control Moment Gyroscope-2 (CMG-2). They also brought into the station two materials exposure experiments.

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #12 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Now spacewalk veterans, Astronauts Soichi Noguchi and Steve Robinson will step outside for the second of three planned spacewalks today at 3:14 a.m. CDT. The sole objective of the 6 ½-hour excursion is to replace a failed International Space Station attitude control gyroscope. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #11 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. The transfer of equipment and supplies from Discovery to the International Space Station and preparations for Monday's planned spacewalk by Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi and Steve Robinson were the focus of today's activities in space.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #14 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. The Space Shuttle Discovery and International Space Station crews will continue transferring equipment and supplies between the two vehicles today. They will also review updated tasks for the third planned spacewalk of the mission.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #13 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  STS-114 mission managers Monday gave the go-ahead for astronauts to remove two protruding gap fillers in Discovery's heat shield during a Wednesday space walk. Soichi Noguchi and Steve Robinson will attempt to simply pull the thin fabric fillers from between tiles in the forward area of the orbiter's underside. If the pull method is unsuccessful, the two will have tools to cut the material flush with the surface. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-114-2 - . Crew: Noguchi, Robinson. EVA Duration: 0.30 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Noguchi, Robinson. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-114. Robinson and Noguchi replaced ISS Control Moment Gyroscope-1, leaving the Station with four functioning CMG's..

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #16 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  The Space Shuttle Discovery crew begins their ninth day in space with preparations for the third spacewalk of the mission. This extravehicular activity (EVA) was a preplanned activity for the mission, but now includes a new task -- repair of two protruding gap fillers between tiles on the bottom the Shuttle. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #15 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Space Shuttle mission managers Tuesday cleared Discovery's wing leading edge heat shield for re-entry as they methodically deal with concerns over the protruding tile gap fillers. The mission management team also discussed a "puffed out" insulating blanket outside the commander's cockpit window and has decided it poses no risk of overheating during entry. Engineers will continue to analyze whether it could pose a debris problem if it came loose during aerodynamic flight. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #18 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. After an eventful day supporting the third spacewalk of the mission, a light duty day of transfer activities, special events and time off lies ahead for the Space Shuttle Discovery crew as they begin their tenth day in space.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #17 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Despite days of anticipation and intense planning, space-walking astronaut Steve Robinson made it look easy as he gently pulled two protruding gap fillers from between thermal protection tiles on Discovery's underside Wednesday morning.. Additional Details: here....

• EVA STS-114-3 - . Crew: Noguchi, Robinson. EVA Duration: 0.25 days. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Noguchi, Robinson. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-114. Robinson pulled two protruding gap fillers from between thermal protection tiles on Discovery's underside. Robinson and Noguchi also installed an external spare parts stowage platform outside the station and a materials exposure experiment..

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #19 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Space Shuttle Discovery's heat shield is cleared for the return to Earth early Monday after mission managers decided today that a fourth spacewalk to deal with a puffed out thermal blanket is unnecessary. Wind tunnel tests overnight at NASA's Ames Research Center in California showed little chance of any significant debris coming from the blanket at supersonic speeds. Further engineering analysis showed any debris released from the blanket was unlikely to hit structures on Discovery. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #20 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114.

  Now in their eleventh day of the mission and with three successful spacewalks behind them, the STS-114 crew of Space Shuttle Discovery is slated to begin preparations for undocking and the final day with their International Space Station counterparts. Their activities for the day include final equipment transfers, stowage and return of the robotic arm, boom and cargo container to the Shuttle payload bay. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #21 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery astronauts and their hosts on the International Space Station undocked the Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module from the Station's Unity Node Friday and reberthed it in the Shuttle's cargo bay.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #22 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. After more than a week of working together in space, the Space Shuttle Discovery and International Space Station crews bid each other farewell tonight.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #23 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery is flying solo today, following its early morning departure from the International Space Station, concluding nine days of cooperative work between the two crews.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #24 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery's astronauts will begin turning their attention toward coming back to Earth Monday by stowing equipment and verifying operation of the orbiter's flight control surfaces and system.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #25 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery's crew is spending what should be its last night in space, with an early morning landing planned Monday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, concluding a voyage of 5.35 million miles.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #26 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery's Return to Flight mission is scheduled to conclude with a landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center early Monday morning.. Additional Details: here....

• STS-114 MCC Status Report #28 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Krikalyov, Lawrence, Noguchi, Phillips, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: Soyuz TMA-6, STS-114. Discovery glided to a pre-dawn landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California this morning concluding a journey of 5.8 million miles, touching down at 7:11 a.m. CDT.. Additional Details: here....

• Landing of STS-114 - . Return Crew: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Lawrence, Noguchi, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Camarda, Collins, Eileen, Kelly, James, Lawrence, Noguchi, Robinson, Thomas, Andrew. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-114.

• STS-130 - . Call Sign: Endeavour. Crew: Behnken, Hire, Patrick, Robinson, Virts, Zamka. Payload: Endeavour F24 / Tranquility / Cupola. Mass: 121,320 kg (267,460 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Behnken, Hire, Patrick, Robinson, Virts, Zamka. Agency: NASA. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TMA-16, Soyuz TMA-17, STS-130. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Duration: 13.75 days. Decay Date: 2010-02-22 03:20:00 . USAF Sat Cat: 36394 . COSPAR: 2010-004A. Apogee: 348 km (216 mi). Perigee: 334 km (207 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.40 min. Docked with the ISS at 05:06 GMT on 10 February. Primary payloads were the Tranquility module and the Cupola, a robotic control station with six windows around its sides and another in the center, providing a 360-degree view around the station..