Michigan

NASA Astronauts with Michigan Connections

By NASA, scanned by Kipp Teague - Apollo Lunar Surface Journal, NASA Image and Video Library, Public Domain, Link

• James Irwin was born March 17, 1930 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Science from the United States Naval Academy.
• He received a Master of Science degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Instrumentation Engineering from the University of Michigan.
• He was awarded an Honorary Doctorates from the University of Michigan, William Jewell College and Samford University.
• During Irwin's military career he accumulated more than 7,015 hours flying time, 5,300 hour sin jet aircraft.
• He was selected by NASA as an astronaut in 1966.
• He was crew commander of lunar module (LTA-8), a member of the astronaut support crew for Apollo 10, and as backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 12.
• He was lunar module pilot for Apollo 15.
• Irwin logged 295 hours and 11 minutes in space.
• Colonel Irwin retired from NASA and the Air Force in 1972 to form a religious organization, High Flight Foundation.
• He passed away on August 8, 1991.

Image credit: Smith, Yvette. “Remembering Apollo 15 Astronaut Al Worden.” NASA, 19 Mar. 2020, www.nasa.gov/image-feature/remembering-apollo-15-astronaut-al-worden. Accessed 29 Apr. 2020.

• Alfred Merrill Worden was born on February 7, 1932 in Jackson, Michigan.
• He received a bachelor of military science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Pointe.
• He received a Master of Science degrees in Astronautical/Aeronautical Engineering and Instrumentation Engineering from the University of Michigan.
• He received an honorary doctorate of Science in Astronautical Engineering from University of Michigan.
• He has logged more than 4,000 hours flying time, including 2,500 hours in jets.
• He was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1966.
• He served as a member of the astronaut support crew for the Apollo 9 flight and as backup command module pilot for the Apollo 12 flight.
• He served as command module pilot for Apollo 15.
• Worden retired from active duty in 1975, and served as executive in Aerospace companies.
• He died on March 18, 2020.

Image credit: NASA

• David R. Scott was born June 6, 1932, in San Antonio, Texas.
• He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and the Degrees of Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineer in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Astronautical Science from the University of Michigan.
• He graduated 5th in a class of 633 at West Point and chose an Air Force career.
• He retired from the Air Force in March 1975 with the rank of Colonel and over 5600 hours of flying time.
• He was part of the Gemini 8 mission, served as command module pilot for Apollo 9, commander of Apollo 15.
• He logged 546 hours in space, 20 hours and 46 minutes were Extravehicular Activity.

Image credit: NASA

• Edward H. White, II was born in San Antonio, Texas, on November 14, 1930.
• He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan.
• In his service with the United States Air Force he logged more than 3,000 hours flying time, including more than 2,200 hours in jet aircraft.
• He was named a member of the astronaut team selected by NASA in September 1962.
• He was pilot for Gemini 4, in which he carried out the first extra vehicular activity in the United States manned space flight program.
• Lieutenant Colonel White died in the Apollo spacecraft flash fire during a launch pad test at Kennedy Space Center, Florida on January 27, 1967.

By NASA - This image or video was catalogued by Johnson Space Center of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Adminis4 missions. He was mission specialist for the ASSESS-2 space labtration (NASA) under Photo ID: S81-29031., Public Domain, Link

• Karl G. Henize was born on October 17, 1926, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• He earned a B.A. in Mathematics and a Master of Arts degree in Astronomy from the University of Virginia. He was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy from University of Michigan.
• He authored 70 scientific publications dealing with astronomy research.
• Dr. Henize was selected as a scientist-astronaut by NASA  in 1967.
• He was a member of the astronaut support crew for the Apollo 15 mission and for the Skylab 2, 3, and  4.
• He was a  misson specialist for the ASSESS-2 spacelab simulation mission in 1977.
• He was a mission specialist on the Spacelab-2 mission in 1985.
• He has logged 2,300 hours flying time in jet aircraft and 188 hours in space.
• Dr. Henize died of High Altitude Pulumonary Edema on Mt. Everest after reaching an altitude of 21,000 feet on October 5, 1993.

Large Magellanic Cloud, optical photography by Karl Henize.

Image credit: Loff, Sarah. “Portrait of Astronaut Jim McDivitt.” NASA, 28 Dec. 2017, www.nasa.gov/image-feature/portrait-of-astronaut-jim-mcdivitt. Accessed 29 Apr. 2020.

• James Alton "Jim" McDivitt was born on June 10, 1929 in Chicago, IL.
• He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1959.
• He has also received Honorary Doctorates from University of Michigan, Seton Hall University,  Miami University (Ohio), and  Eastern Michigan University.
• Before NASA, McDivitt served in the Air Force starting in 1951 and retired with the rank of Brig. General. He flew 145 combat missions during the Korean War in F-80s and F-86s.
• General McDivitt was selected as an astronaut by NASA in September 1962.
• He was command pilot for Gemini 4.
• He was commander of Apollo 9.
• In 1969 he became Manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program and was the program manager of Apollo 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.
• His career with NASA ended in 1972, and he then worked for various companies as an executive.

By NASA - NASA Johnson Flickr, NASA Image and Video Library, Public Domain, Link

• Jack Robert Lousma was born February 29, 1936, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
• He received a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan.
• He received a master of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.
• He was presented honorary doctorates from University of Michigan, Hope College and Cleary College.
• Lousma is one of the 19 astronauts selected by NASA in April 1966.
• He served as a member of the astronaut support crews for Apollo 9, 10, and 13 missions.
• He was the pilot for Skylab-3 and was spacecraft commander on STS-3.
• He logged over 1,619 hours in space.

By NASA -  NASA images, Public Domain, Link

• Anthony W. England was born May 15, 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana. His hometown is West Fargo, North Dakota.
• He earned a Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences, a Masters of Science in Geology and Geophysics, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• He was selected as a scientist-astronaut by NASA in August 1967.
• He served as a support crewman for the Apollo 13 and 16 flights.
• He left NASA from 1972 to 1979 to work at the U.S. Geological Survey, returning to NASA and the Johnson Space Center as a senior scientist-astronaut in 1979.
• He has logged over 3,000 hours of flying time.
• He retired from NASA in 1988.
• He is currently Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Professor of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Science, and Director of the Center for Spatial Analysis at the University of Michigan.

By NASA - http://airportjournals.com/wp-content/uploads/0604018_4.jpg, Public Domain, Link

• Brewster H. Shaw was born on May 16, 1945 in Cass City, Michigan.
• He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics and Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Wisconsin Madison
• Shaw joined the Air Force in 1969, earned his pilot's wings in 1970 and went on to serve as an instructor, and eventually becoming a test pilot.
• He was selected to join NASA as an astronaut in 1978.
• Shaw is a veteran of three space shuttle missions; as pilot aboard STS-9 Columbia, and as commander aboard both STS-61B Atlantis and STS-28 Columbia. 
• He has logged 533 hours of space flight.
• Shaw served in multiple leadership roles during his tenure at NASA, including a role as Director, Space Shuttle Operations. 
• He left the Air Force and NASA in 1996 to work in the aerospace industry.

By NASA - https://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-51l/html/s85-25624.html, Public Domain, Link

• Gregory S. Jarvis was born August 24, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan. 
• He received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from teh State University of New York, Buffalo and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University. 
• Jarvis entered the U.S. Air Force in 1969, as a second lieutenant for the space division, leaving active service in 1973.
• He joined Aircraft Space and Communications group serving in multiple roles. 
• Jarvis was selected from over 600 candidates to serve as a payload specialist 2 on the STS 51-L , space shuttle Challenger mission. 
• Jarvis and the entire STS-51-L crew died on January 28, 1986, when Challenger broke up during launch

By NASA - http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-90/html/98_00611.html, Public Domain, Link

• Richard A. Searfoss was born June 5, 1956 in Mt. Clemens, Michigan but his family moved to New Hampshire when he was a child. 
• He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Science in Aeronautics from California Institute of Technology
• In the Air Force, he attended Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College and logged over 6,000 hours flying time in 77 different types of aircraft
• Searfoss was selected by NASA in 1990 and became an astronaut in 1991.
• As an astronaut, he piloted two space shuttle flights (STS-58 Columbia and STS-76 Atlantis), and commanded a third, STS-90 on space shuttle Columbia. spending a total more than 39 days in space
• Searfoss retired from the Air Force and left NASA in 1998
• He passed away in 2018. 

By NASA/Bill Stafford - https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/48189504956/, Public Domain, Link

• Christina Hammock Koch was born January 29, 1979 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 
• She earned Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Physics and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University 
• She began her career as an electrical engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics
• Her career has included many remote research positions, including  time at NOAA as a research associate for the  United States Antarctic Program, spending a year at Admunsen-Scott South Pole Station and a season at Palmer Station
• Koch was selected in 2013 as a member of the 21st NASA astronaut class and was assigned to her first space flight, a long duration mission on the International Space Station, in 2018
• She served as Flight Engineer on Expedition 59, 60 and 61 from March 14, 2019 to February 6, 2020. 
• Koch has spent 328 days in space and clocked 42 hours and 15 minutes on 6 space walks, including participation on the first all woman, 3 person space walk crew. 

By NASA - http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo1/html/s64-31447.html (direct link) (JSC reference/original upload image), Public Domain, Link

• Roger B. Chaffee was born February 15, 1935 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 
• He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University in 1957.
• Chaffee joined the United States Navy in 1957 as a Lieutenant Commander and earned a US Navy Air Medal for his service,
• entered the U.S, Air Force Institute of Technology in 1963, logging over 2000 flight hours.  
• He was selected as a member of the third group of astronauts selected by NASA and worked on Apollo flight communication systems among other projects.
• Chaffee served as AS-204 mission, the first 3-man Apollo flight.
• Lieutenant Commander Chaffee died on January 27, 1967, in the Apollo spacecraft flash fire during a launch pad test at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

By NASA - http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/bloomfie.html, Public Domain, Link

• Michael J. Bloomfield was born on March 16, 1959 in Flint, Michigan and considers Lake Fenton, Michigan his home town. 
• He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1981, and a Masters in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University in 1993. 
• Bloomfield completed pilot training in 1983 and was selected to fly the F-15. Her served as a combat ready and instructor pilot until earning his credentials to become a test pilot, assigned to the F-16.
• He began his career at NASA in 1994, served as a deputy director of flight crew operations and is a veteran of 3 space missions; STS-86 Atlantis; STS-97 Endeavour; STS-110 Atlantis and has logged over 753 hours in space.
• Bloomfield left NASA in 2007 to pursue a career with Oceaneering Space Systems.

By NASA - https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/former

• McMonagle was born May 14, 1952 in Flint, Michigan
• He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in 1974, Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Fresno in 1985, and a Master of Business Administration from University of Michigan Ross School of Business in 2003. 
• McMonagle completed pilot training with the U.S. Air Force in 1975 and has since clocked over 5,000 hours of flying experience in a variety of aircraft 
• He was selected to join NASA in 1987 and has worked on projects to develop new generation space suits. 
• McMonagle is a veteran of three space missions; as mission specialist on STS-39 Discovery; STS-54 Endeavour; and STS-66 Atlantis.
• He has spent more than 605 hours in space. 

Public Domain, Link

• Brett W. Jett, Jr. was born on October 5, 1958 in Pontiac, Michigan, but his family moved to Florida when he was a child
• He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1981 and a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1989
• He served in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Aviator for many years, logged over 5,000 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft and has over 450 carrier landings
• Jett began his career at NASA in 1992, and served in many leadership roles throughout his career.
• He was selected to serve as pilot on STS-72 Endeavour and SRS-81 Atlantis missions.
• He was selected as commander for STS-97 Endeavour and STS-115 Atlantis missions.
• Jett has traveled over 12.1 million miles, and logged a total of 41 days, 18 hours, and 1 minute in space
• He retired from the Navy in 2007 and from NASA in 2013.