 |
James HalsellAstronaut
Date of Birth: 29.09.1956
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Military Career
- Advanced Education
- NASA Career
- Space Flights
- STS-74 (1995)
- STS-83 and STS-94 (1997)
- STS-101 (2000)
- Awards and Honors
- Spacewalk Experience
- Personal Life
Early Life and Education
Bruce E. Melnickwas born on September 29, 1956, in West Monroe, Louisiana. After graduating from West Monroe High School in 1974, he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science at the United States Air Force Academy, graduating in 1978.
Military Career
From 1980 to 1981, Melnick served at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. He then served at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia from 1982 to 1984. His final military assignment was at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where he served from 1985 to 1989.
Advanced Education
In addition to his military career, Melnick continued his education. He earned a Master of Science in Management from Troy University in 1983 and a Master of Science in Aeronautics from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1985.
NASA Career
Selection and TrainingIn January 1990, Melnick was selected to join the NASA astronaut corps. He underwent comprehensive astronaut training at NASA Johnson Space Center from March 1990 to July 1991.
Space Flights
STS-65 (1994)Melnick's first spaceflight was as the pilot of Columbia on mission STS-65. The 14-day mission involved experiments on microgravity in the International Microgravity Laboratory.
STS-74 (1995)
During his second flight, Melnick piloted Atlantis on mission STS-74. This mission included docking with the Russian space station Mir.
STS-83 and STS-94 (1997)
Melnick commanded Columbia on two missions in 1997: STS-83, which conducted microgravity experiments using the Spacehab module, and STS-94, which continued those experiments.
STS-101 (2000)
His final spaceflight was as the commander of Atlantis on mission STS-101. This mission focused on servicing the International Space Station.
Awards and Honors
Melnick has been awarded numerous medals, including the NASA Space Flight Medals for each of his five space missions and the Air Force Achievement Medal.
Spacewalk Experience
Melnick has conducted one spacewalk, lasting 7 hours 2 minutes, during his STS-101 mission.
Personal Life
Melnick is married to Kathy D. Spooner. His hobbies include skiing, waterskiing, and aviation.
