STS 101 Mission Specialist: James Voss


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	STS 101 Mission Specialist: James Voss posted: 07:00 am ET 24 April 2000

james_voss_bio
ORBITAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE:

Selected by NASA in June 1987. Voss completed a one-year training and evaluation program in August 1988, which qualified him for assignment as a mission specialist on space shuttle flights. A veteran of three spaceflights, he was a mission specialist on STS 44 in 1991 and STS 53 in 1992, as well as a payload commander on STS 69 in 1995: STS 44 (November 24 to December 1, 1991) - This particular shuttle flight was dedicated to initiatives from the Department of the Defense. During the mission, the Defense Support System was deployed -- a satellite system that identifies nuclear explosions, missile launches, and observes space launches from a geosynchronous orbit.

STS 53 (December 2-9, 1992) - This mission was another Department of Defense (DoD) dedicated mission, the primary payload and the details of which remain classified. Studies concerning radiation levels, which build up the in the cabin, were conducted. Further medical studies were conducted concerning bone, tissue and muscles in the microgravity environment.

STS 69 (September 7-18, 1995) - During this mission the crew performed a spacewalk to test construction methods that would be employed for the International Space Station (ISS). New spacesuits were also tested during the spacewalk, along with numerous medical experiments. The crew also deployed and retrieved a SPARTAN satellite and the Wake Shield Facility.

PERSONAL DATA:

Born: March 3, 1949. Grew up in Opelika, Alabama. Spouse: the former Suzan Curry of Birmingham, Alabama. Children: one daughter.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Graduated from Opelika High School, Opelika, Alabama; received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University in 1972, and a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado in 1974.

After attending the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and the Armed Forces Staff College, Voss was assigned to the U.S. Army Aviation Engineering Flight Activity as a Flight Test Engineer/Research and Development Coordinator. After being assigned to Johnson Space Center in 1984, he participated in the accident investigation of STS 51-L. Since being selected as an astronaut in 1987, Voss has worked for shuttle safety and as a communicator between ground controllers and flight crews. He has also served as an officer of Astronaut Training. He flew as a mission specialist on STS 44 and STS 53, as well as a payload commander on STS 69.