Space Shuttle Program
NASA's Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States government's current manned launch vehicle. The winged Space Shuttle orbiter is launched vertically, usually carrying five to seven astronauts (eight have been carried) and up to 50,000 lb (22 700 kg) of payload into low earth orbit. When its mission is complete, the shuttle can independently move itself out of orbit and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. U.S. Marines who have been astronauts in the Space Shuttle Program are:
- Fred W. Haise, Jr. (Commander Space Shuttle Enterprise, three flights)
- Vance D. Brand (Space Shuttle Columbia and Space Shuttle Challenger)
- Robert F. Overmyer (Columbia and Challenger)
- David C. Hilmers (Space Shuttle Atlantis and Space Shuttle Discovery)
- James F. Buchli (Atlantis, Challenger, and Discovery)
- Bryan D. O'Connor (Atlantis and Columbia)
- Charles F. Bolden, Jr. (Columbia, Discovery, and Atlantis)
- Robert D. Cabana (Discovery and Columbia)
- Robert C. Springer (Atlantis)
- Kenneth D. Cameron (Atlantis and Discovery)
- Andrew M. Allen (Atlantis and Columbia)
- Terrence W. Wilcutt (Space Shuttle Endeavour)
- Carlos I. Noriega (Atlantis and Endeavour)
- Frederick W. Sturckow (Endeavour, Discovery (twice), and Atlantis)
- Charles O. Hobaugh (Atlantis and Endeavour)
- Joseph M. Acaba, USMC Reserve, Sergeant (Discovery)
- George D. Zamka (Pilot aboard Space Shuttle Discovery {STS 120} and Commander aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour {STS-130})
- Douglas G. Hurley (Endeavour)
- Randolph J. Bresnik (Atlantis)
Read more about this topic: List Of United States Marine Corps Astronauts
Famous quotes containing the words space, shuttle and/or program:
“There is commonly sufficient space about us. Our horizon is never quite at our elbows.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“And the shuttle never falters, but to draw an encouraging conclusion
From this would be considerable, too odd. Why not just
Breathe in with the courage of each day, recognizing yourself as one
Who must with difficulty get down from high places?”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)
“The first man to discover Chinook salmon in the Columbia, caught 264 in a day and carried them across the river by walking on the backs of other fish. His greatest feat, however, was learning the Chinook jargon in 15 minutes from listening to salmon talk.”
—State of Oregon, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)