ORBITAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE:
Selected by NASA in January 1990. Helms has flown on three space flights and has logged over 800 hours in space. She flew on STS 54 in 1993, STS 64 in 1994 and STS 78 1996:
STS 54 (January 13-19, 1993). There were numerous mission objectives for this crew including testing X-ray radiation from dispersed sources in deep space, life sciences research, study of chromosome and plant-cell division in a space environment, examination of the skeletal system and bone adaptation during spaceflight. Finally, a five hour spacewalk was conducted inside the open cargo bay in order to determine how to better understand how to move and operate freely, while carrying large objects in the microgravity environment.
STS 64 (September 9-20, 1994). The six-person crew of the orbiter Discovery performed atmospheric research, and also deployed and retrieved a free flying astronomical observer. In addition, an untethered spacewalk by astronauts was also performed, the first in over 10 years.
STS 78 (June 20- July 7, 1996). The Life and Microgravity Spacelab mission was to assist studies for the International Space Station by studying the long-term effects of spaceflight on the human body. When the shuttle achieved orbit, the crew began working in the pressurized Spacelab module, where they conducted experiments and studied human physiology in a microgravity environment.
PERSONAL DATA:
Born: February 26, 1958. Grew up in Portland, Oregon. Spouse: None. Children: None. Parents: Lt. Col. (Ret., USAF) Pat and Dori Helms.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Graduated from Parkrose Senior High School, Portland, Oregon in 1976; received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1980 and a Master of Science degree in aeronautics/astronautics from Stanford University in 1985.
Graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1980. She received her commission and was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida as an F 16 weapons separation engineer with the Air Force Armament Laboratory. In 1982 she became the lead engineer for F 15 weapons separation. She attended graduate school at Stanford University where she received her degree in 1985 and was assigned as an assistant professor of aeronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. After completing one year of training as a flight test engineer at Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Helms was assigned as a USAF Exchange Officer to the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment in Alberta, Canada. There she worked as a flight test engineer and project officer on the CF 18 aircraft. While managing the development of a CF 18 Flight Control System Simulation for the Canadian Forces, she was selected for the astronaut program. Helms has flown in 30 different types of U.S. and Canadian military aircraft.
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