NAME: Tracy E.
Caldwell (Ph.D.)
NASA Astronaut
PERSONAL
DATA: Born
August 14, 1969 in Arcadia, California. Recreational interests include running,
weight training, hiking, softball, basketball, and auto repair/maintenance. As
an undergraduate, she competed in intercollegiate athletics on CSUF’s track
team as both a sprinter and long jumper.
EDUCATION: Received a Bachelor of Science
degree in Chemistry from the California State University at Fullerton in 1993
and a Doctorate in Physical Chemistry from the University of California at
Davis in 1997.
ORGANIZATIONS: Sigma Xi Research Society and the
American Chemical Society.
SPECIAL
HONORS: NASA
Performance Award (2002 & 2001), NASA Go the Extra Mile (GEM) Award (2001),
NASA Superior Accomplishment Award (2000), NASA Group Achievement Award -
Russian Crusader Team (2000), Camille and Henry Dreyfus Postdoctoral Fellowship
in Environmental Science (1997). Outstanding Doctoral Student Award in
Chemistry from the University of California Davis (1997). American Vacuum Society
- Nellie Yeoh Whetten Award (1996). American Vacuum Society Graduate Research
Award (1996). Pro Femina Research Consortium Graduate Research Award (1996).
Pro Femina Research Consortium Graduate Award for Scientific Travel (1996).
University
of California, Davis Graduate Research Award (1996). University of California,
Davis Graduate Student Award for Scientific Travel (1994). Patricia Roberts
Harris Graduate Fellowship in Chemistry (1993-1997). Lyle Wallace Award for
Service to the Department of Chemistry, California State University Fullerton
(1993). National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates
Award, (1992). Council of Building & Construction Trades Scholarship (1991
and 1992). Big West Scholar Athlete (1989-1991).
EXPERIENCE: As an undergraduate researcher at
the California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), Dr. Caldwell designed,
constructed and implemented electronics and hardware associated with a
laser-ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometer for studying atmospherically-relevant
gas-phase chemistry. Also at CSUF, she worked for the Research and
Instructional Safety Office as a lab assistant performing environmental
monitoring of laboratories using hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials,
as well as calibrating survey instruments and helping to process chemical and
radioactive waste.
During that
time (and for many years prior) she also worked as an electrician/inside
wireman for her father’s electrical contracting company doing commercial and
light industrial type construction. At the University of California, Davis, Dr.
Caldwell taught general chemistry laboratory and began her graduate research.
Her dissertation work focused on investigating molecular-level surface
reactivity and kinetics of metal surfaces using electron spectroscopy, laser
desorption, and Fourier transform mass spectrometry techniques. She also
designed and built peripheral components for a variable temperature, ultra-high
vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy system.
In 1997, Dr.
Caldwell received the Camille and Henry Drefus Postdoctoral Fellowship in
Environmental Science to study atmospheric chemistry at the University of
California, Irvine. There she investigated reactivity and kinetics of
atmospherically relevant systems using atmospheric pressure ionization mass
spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet absorption
spectroscopies. In addition, she developed methods of chemical ionization for
spectral interpretation of trace compounds. Dr. Caldwell has published and
presented her work in numerous papers at technical conferences and in
scientific journals.
Dr. Caldwell
is a private pilot and conversational in American Sign Language (ASL) and
Russian.
NASA
EXPERIENCE:
Selected by NASA in June 1998, Dr.
Caldwell 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 (ISS) systems, physiological training, ground school to
prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness
survival techniques. Completion of this training and evaluation qualified her
for flight assignment as a mission specialist.
In 1999, Dr.
Caldwell was first assigned to the Astronaut Office ISS Operations Branch as a
Russian Crusader, participating in the testing and integration of Russian
hardware and software products developed for ISS. In 2000, she was assigned
prime Crew Support Astronaut for the 5th ISS
Expedition crew, serving as their representative on technical and
operational issues throughout the training and on-orbit phase of their mission.
During ISS Increments
4-6, Dr. Caldwell also served as an ISS spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) inside
Mission Control. In 2003, she transitioned to the Astronaut Shuttle Operations
Branch and was assigned to flight software verification in the Shuttle Avionics
Integration Laboratory (SAIL) and also worked supporting launch and landing
operations at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. She served as Lead CAPCOM for Increment
11. Dr. Caldwell is assigned to the crew
of STS-118 targeted for launch in 2007. STS-118 will deliver to the station
the third starboard truss segment, an external stowage platform, and logistics
and supplies in a SPACEHAB single cargo module.
Last
Updated: May 2006
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