NAME: Leland D. Melvin (Mr.)
NASA Astronaut
PERSONAL
DATA: Born
February 15, 1964 in Lynchburg, Virginia. Unmarried. Recreational interests
include photography, piano, reading, music, cycling, tennis, and snowboarding.
Loves walking his dogs, Jake and Scout. Chosen by the Detroit Lions in the 11th
round of the 1986 NFL college draft. Also participated in the Toronto Argonauts
and Dallas Cowboys football training camps. His parents Deems and Grace Melvin,
reside in Lynchburg, Virginia.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Heritage High
School, Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1982; received a bachelor of science degree in
chemistry from the University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia in 1986; and a
master of science degree in materials science engineering from the University
of Virginia in 1991.
ORGANIZATIONS: National Technical Association
(Hampton Roads Chapter Secretary 1993), American Chemical Society, The Society
for Experimental Mechanics.
SPECIAL
HONORS/AWARDS:
Invention Disclosure Award for Lead Insensitive Fiber Optic Phase Locked Loop
Sensor, NASA Outstanding Performance Awards (8), NASA Superior Accomplishment
Award (2), Key to the City of Lynchburg, Virginia, NCAA Division I Academic All
American, University of Richmond Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee.
NASA
EXPERIENCE:
Mr. Melvin began working in the Fiber Optic Sensors group of the Nondestructive
Evaluation Sciences Branch at NASA Langley Research Center in 1989 where he
conducted research in the area of physical measurements for the development of
advanced instrumentation for Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE).
His
responsibilities included using optical fiber sensors to measure strain,
temperature, and chemical damage in both composite and metallic structures.
Additional projects included developing optical interferometric techniques for
quantitative determination of damage in aerospace structures and materials. In
1994, Mr. Melvin was selected to lead the Vehicle Health Monitoring (VHM) team
for the cooperative Lockheed/NASA X-33 Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) program.
The team
developed distributed fiber optic strain, temperature and hydrogen sensors for
the reduction of vehicle operational costs and to monitor composite liquid
oxygen tank and cryogenic insulation performance. In 1996, Mr. Melvin co-designed
and monitored construction of an optical NDE facility capable of producing
in-line fiber optic Bragg grating strain sensors at rates in excess of 1000 per
hour. This facility will provide a means for performing advanced sensor and
laser research for development of aerospace and civil health monitoring
systems.
Selected by
NASA JSC in June 1998, Mr. Melvin reported for training in August 1998.
Astronaut Candidate Training included orientation briefings and tours, numerous
scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and
International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school
to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness
survival techniques.
Since then
he has been assigned to the Astronaut Office Space Station Operations Branch,
and the Education Department at NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. As
co-manager of NASA's Educator Astronaut Program, Leland Melvin traveled across
the country, engaging thousands of students and teachers in the excitement of
space exploration, and inspiring them to pursue careers in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics. He next served in the Robotics Branch of the
Astronaut Office. Mr. Melvin is assigned
to the STS-122 mission that will deliver the European Space Agency's
Columbus Laboratory to the International Space Station.
Last
Updated: February 2007
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