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Benjamin Alvin DrewNASA astronaut
Date of Birth: 05.11.1962
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Biography of Benjamin Alvin Drew
- Early Life and Education
- Military Career
- Further Education and Professional Experience
- Astronaut Career
- Space Missions
Biography of Benjamin Alvin Drew
Benjamin Alvin Drew, also known as Alvin Drew, is an astronaut from NASA (United States) who has participated in two space missions on the shuttle (STS-118, STS-133).
Early Life and Education
Drew completed high school in Washington in 1980. In May 1984, he graduated from the United States Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs) with a Bachelor's degree in spacecraft design and physics. After that, he underwent additional helicopter pilot training at Fort Rucker Air Base (Alabama) for a year.
Military Career
Drew served as an HH-3E helicopter pilot in the rescue group, and later as an MH-60G helicopter pilot in the Air Force Special Operations Command. He participated in combat flights in Panama (1989-1990), Saudi Arabia (1990-1991), Kuwait (1991), and Iraq (1991). In April 1993, he qualified as an aircraft pilot, and in June 1994, he completed training at the United States Naval Test Pilot School.
Further Education and Professional Experience
Drew continued his education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach, Florida), where he obtained a Master's degree in Aerospace Sciences in 1995. He then commanded two test units and served in the United States Air Force headquarters. He has accumulated over 3000 flying hours on more than 30 types of aircraft and helicopters.
Astronaut Career
Benjamin Alvin Drew was selected as a NASA astronaut in the 18th group, where he began his training. After two years, he qualified as a mission specialist and was assigned to the station management division of the astronaut office. He held several technical positions and underwent training at the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base (Alabama). In April 2007, he was assigned to the STS-118 crew, replacing Clayton Anderson.
Space Missions
On August 8-21, 2007, Drew completed his first space mission on the space shuttle "Endeavour" (STS-118). The main objective of the mission was to continue the construction of the International Space Station (ISS) by delivering materials and equipment. Drew spent 12 days, 17 hours, 55 minutes, and 34 seconds in space as a mission specialist.
After his space mission, Drew was assigned as a communications operator for the STS-123 crew's flight in March 2008. In 2009, he worked at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center as the head of operations, supporting NASA's activities. In September 2009, he was appointed to the STS-133 crew on the "Discovery" shuttle, scheduled for December 2010.