Robert Laurel Crippen

USAF/NASA Astronaut
Nationality	American
Status	Retired
Born	September 11, 1937 (1937-09-11) (age 70) Beaumont, Texas
Other occupation	Test Pilot
Rank	Captain, USN
Space time	23d 13h 46m
Selection	1966 USAF MOL Group, 1969 NASA Group 7
Missions	STS-1, STS-7, STS-41-C, STS-41-G
Mission insignia

Robert Laurel Crippen (born September 11, 1937 in Beaumont, Texas) (Captain, USN, retired) is a former USAF and NASA astronaut, and flew on four Space Shuttle missions [1], including three as commander. Crippen is a recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. Cropped from [http://images. ... Seal of the Air Force. ... This article is about the American space agency. ... is the 254th day of the year (255th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Jefferson County Government  - Mayor Guy Goodson Area  - City 222. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Test pilots are aviators who fly new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated. ... Captain is a rank or title with various meanings. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... 1958 1959 1960 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1976 1978 1979 1980 1982 1984 1985 1987 1990 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 2000 2003 2004 1958 June 25 - Man In Space Soonest - USA The first group of American astronaut candidates were selected... 1958 1959 1960 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1976 1978 1979 1980 1982 1984 1985 1987 1990 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 2000 2003 2004 1958 June 25 - Man In Space Soonest - USA The first group of American astronaut candidates were selected... The first Space Shuttle mission, STS-1, was launched April 12, 1981, and returned April 14. ... STS-7 was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Challenger, launched June 18, 1983. ... STS-41-C was the 11th Space Shuttle mission and the fifth for Challenger. ... STS 41-G marked the thirteenth flight of a Space Shuttle and the sixth flight of the Challenger. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (647x656, 779 KB)Picture of Space Shuttle Mission STS-7 Patch File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 583 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2333 × 2397 pixel, file size: 9. ... Image File history File links STS-41-G_patch. ... is the 254th day of the year (255th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Jefferson County Government  - Mayor Guy Goodson Area  - City 222. ... Captain is a rank or title with various meanings. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... This article is about the American space agency. ... Astronaut Bruce McCandless II using a manned maneuvering unit outside the U.S. Space Shuttle Challenger in 1984. ... NASAs Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States governments current manned launch vehicle. ... Congressional Space Medal of Honor The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was authorized by the United States Congress in 1969 to recognize any astronaut who in the performance of his duties has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and mankind. ...

He was previously president of Thiokol Propulsion where he served from December, 1996 to April, 2001. Thiokol produces the Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motors and other defense and commercial solid rocket motors. A Trident C-4 FBM launches and fires its Thiokol solid rocket first stage Thiokol (variously Thiokol Chemical Company, Morton-Thiokol Inc. ... The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) is the rocket that provides 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle. ... The Space Shuttle is initially launched with the help of solid-fuel boosters A Solid rocket or a solid fuel rocket is a rocket with a motor that uses solid propellants (fuel/oxidizer). ...

Prior to joining Thiokol, he served as a Vice President with Lockheed Martin Information Systems in Orlando, Florida from April, 1995 to November, 1996. Nickname: Location in Orange County and the state of Florida. ...

Crippen served as the director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center from January 1992 to January 1995. During his tenure, the center processed, safely launched, and recovered 22 Space Shuttle missions. He provided leadership for over thirteen thousand civil service and contractor personnel. This included oversight of multiple contracts supporting center operations for both manned and unmanned spaceflight. He also implemented cost savings of greater than 25% by establishing and developing new quality management techniques while ensuring the highest safety standards in an extremely hazardous environment. This article is about the American space agency. ... Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center (shown in white). ... NASAs Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States governments current manned launch vehicle. ...

From January 1990 to January 1992 he served as Director, Space Shuttle, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In this headquarters post he was responsible for the overall Shuttle program requirements, performance, and total program control, including budget, schedule and program content. He was stationed at KSC from July 1987 to December 1989, serving as Deputy Director, Shuttle Operations for NASA Headquarters. He was responsible for final Shuttle preparation, mission execution and return of the orbiter to KSC following landings at Edwards Air Force Base, California. For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ... Edwards Air Force Base (IATA: EDW, ICAO: KEDW) is a United States Air Force airbase located on the border of Kern County and Los Angeles County, California in the Antelope Valley, 7 miles (11 km) due east of Rosamond. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ...

Born September 11, 1937, in Beaumont, Texas, Crippen received a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1960. There he was selected as a member of the Texas Alpha chapter of Sigma Gamma Tau. He was commissioned through the U.S. Navy's Aviation Officer Program. As a Navy pilot from June 1962 to November 1964, he completed a tour of duty aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence flying A-4s in VA-72. He later attended the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Upon graduation he remained at Edwards as an instructor until his selection for the USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) Program in October 1966. is the 254th day of the year (255th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Jefferson County Government  - Mayor Guy Goodson Area  - City 222. ... Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering that concerns aircraft, spacecraft, and related topics. ... University of Texas redirects here. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... The fifth USS Independence (CVA-62), a Forrestal-class aircraft carrier, was launched by New York Navy Yard 6 June 1958; sponsored by Mrs. ... The A-4 Skyhawk was an attack aircraft originally designed to operate from United States Navy aircraft carriers. ... Seal of the Air Force. ... Edwards Air Force Base (IATA: EDW, ICAO: KEDW) is a United States Air Force airbase located on the border of Kern County and Los Angeles County, California in the Antelope Valley, 7 miles (11 km) due east of Rosamond. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Manned Orbiting Laboratory early 1960 conceptual drawing that did not use the Gemini spacecraft. ...

Crippen became a NASA astronaut in September 1969. He was a member of the astronaut support crew for the Skylab 2, 3, and 4 missions and for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission. He was the pilot of the first orbital test flight of the Shuttle program (STS-1, April 12–14, 1981) and was the commander of three additional shuttle flights: STS-7, June 18–24, 1983; STS-41C, April 6–13, 1984; and STS-41G, October 6–13, 1984. In addition to participating in the first Shuttle flight, he also presided over the first five-person crew (STS-7, which had the first American woman in space), the first satellite repair operation (STS-41-C, which repaired the Solar Maximum Mission satellite), and the first seven-person crew (STS-41-G). He was named commander of the STS-62A mission in which the new SLC-6 facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base would have been used. That mission was cancelled after the Challenger Disaster, which forced the closure of SLC-6 when the Air Force went back to launching satellites on the Titan III and Titan IV rockets. Astronaut Bruce McCandless II using a manned maneuvering unit outside the U.S. Space Shuttle Challenger in 1984. ... Skylab 2 or SL-2 was the first human spaceflight mission to Skylab, the first U.S. orbital space station. ... Skylab 3 or SL-3 was the second manned mission to Skylab. ... Skylab 4 or SL-4 was the fourth Skylab mission and placed the third crew on board. ... The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project was the first joint flight of the U.S. and Soviet space programs. ... The first Space Shuttle mission, STS-1, was launched April 12, 1981, and returned April 14. ... is the 102nd day of the year (103rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... April 14 is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 261 days remaining. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... STS-7 was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Challenger, launched June 18, 1983. ... is the 169th day of the year (170th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... STS-41-C was the 11th Space Shuttle mission and the fifth for Challenger. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... STS 41-G marked the thirteenth flight of a Space Shuttle and the sixth flight of the Challenger. ... is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Sally Kristen Ride (born May 26, 1951) is an American former astronaut who in 1983 became the first American woman to reach outer space. ... The Solar Maximum Mission satellite (or SolarMax) was designed to investigate solar phenomenon, particularly solar flares. ... This was a Space Shuttle mission to deliver a reconnaissance payload (Teal Ruby) into polar orbit. ... Space Launch Complex-6 (SLC-6, nicknamed Slick Six) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was a launch pad and support area designed for the launching of the Titan III in support of the cancelled Manned Orbiting Laboratory and later for the Space Shuttle. ... Boeing Delta 4 Medium+ (4,2) lifts off from Space Launch Complex Six (SLC-6) at Vandenberg AFB, California (Official photo by Thom Baur for the Boeing Company) Vandenberg Air Force Base (IATA: VBG, ICAO: KVBG) is a United States military installation with a spaceport, in Santa Barbara County, California... STS-51-L was the 25th launch of a Space Shuttle and the tenth launch of the Challenger. ... The Titan IIIC is a space booster used by the United States Air Force. ... The Titan IV family (including the IVA and IVB) of space boosters are used by the US Air Force. ...

His accomplishments have earned him many notable awards: the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 1972; five awards in 1981, including the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Award, The American Astronautical Society of Flight Achievement Award, The National Geographic Society's Gardiner Greene Hubbard Medal, and induction into the Aviation Hall of Fame. In 1982 he won the Federal Aviation Administration's Award for Distinguished Service, the Goddard Memorial Trophy and the Harmon Trophy. In 1984 he received the U.S. Navy Distinguished Flying Cross and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He also received NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal in 1988 and three Distinguished Service Medals in 1985, 1988, and 1993. On April 6th, 2006, he received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the highest award for spaceflight achievement. He is also a fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Astronautical Society and Society of Experimental Test Pilots. He served as President of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1999–2000. The National Geographic Society, headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the worlds largest not-for-profit educational and scientific organizations. ... “FAA” redirects here. ... The Harmon Aviator Trophy The Harmon Aviatrix Trophy The Harmon Trophy is a set of three international trophies, to be awarded annually to the worlds outstanding aviator, aviatrix (female aviator), and aeronaut (balloon or dirigible). ... The Distinguished Flying Cross. ... Congressional Space Medal of Honor The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was authorized by the United States Congress in 1969 to recognize any astronaut who in the performance of his duties has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and mankind. ... The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the scholarly society for the field of aerospace engineering. ...

Although Crippen was born in Beaumont, Texas, he actually grew up in Porter, Texas [2] where there is an elementary school named after him [3] [4]. Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Jefferson County Government  - Mayor Guy Goodson Area  - City 222. ... ROSS PORTER President and Chief Executive Officer of JAZZ.FM91 since July of 2004, Ross Porter is acknowledged internationally as Canadas preeminent jazz broadcaster. ... Primary or elementary education is the first years of formal, structured education that occurs during childhood. ...

Crippen is married to the former Pandora Lee Puckett of Miami, Florida. He has three daughters: Ellen, Susan, and Linda.

External links

• Spacefacts biography of Robert Crippen