Documents - STS-74 Biographies

STS-74 Biographies

Kenneth D. Cameron, Commander

NAME: Kenneth D. Cameron (Colonel, USMC) NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born November 29, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio. Married Michele Renee Fulford of Pensacola, Florida, in November 1973. They have two sons. He enjoys flying (CFI-SEL), athletics, camping, fishing, woodworking, reading, amateur radio, and volunteering as a youth soccer coach and Boy Scout leader. Former board member for church day school, and for community association.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Rocky River High School, Rocky River, Ohio, in 1967, and entered Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT in 1978, and a Master of Science degree in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT in 1979. Graduated from U.S. Navy Test Pilot School in 1983. Completed numerous courses in Russian language and Russian space systems at MIT, JSC, and at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Moscow, Russia. Presently enrolled, evenings, at University of Houston, Clear Lake, in the Master of Business Administration degree program.

SPECIAL HONORS: Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V", NASA Leadership Medals (2), NASA Exceptional Achievement Medals (2), NASA Space Flight Medals (3), Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnamese Meritorious Unit Citation, the Admiral Louis de Flores Award (MIT), C.S. Draper Laboratory Fellowship, Marine Corps Association Leadership Sword.

EXPERIENCE: Cameron was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970 at Officer's Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. After graduating from the Officer's Basic Infantry Course and Vietnamese Language School, he was assigned to the Republic of Vietnam for a one-year tour of duty as an infantry platoon commander with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and, later, with the Marine Security Guards at the U.S. Embassy, Saigon.

Upon his return to the United States he served as Executive Officer, "I" Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He reported to Pensacola, Florida, in 1972 for flight training, receiving his naval aviator wings in 1973. He was then assigned to Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, as pilot, flying A-4M Skyhawks, and aircraft maintenance officer, in charge of 200 Marines and 16 aircraft.

In 1976, Cameron was reassigned to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he participated in the Marine College Degree and Advanced Degree Programs. Upon graduation, he was assigned to flying duty for one year with Marine Aircraft Group 12 in Iwakuni, Japan. He was subsequently assigned to the Pacific Missile Test Center in 1980, and, in 1982, to the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland.

Following graduation in 1983, he was assigned as project officer and test pilot in the F/A-18, A-4, and OV-10 airplanes with the Systems Engineering Test Directorate at the Naval Air Test Center.

He has logged over 4,000 hours flying time in 48 different types of aircraft.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in May 1984, Cameron became an astronaut in June 1985. His technical assignments have included work on Tethered Satellite Payload, flight software testing in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL), launch support activities at Kennedy Space Center, and spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in Mission Control for STS-28, 29,30, 33 & 34.

Management assignments include: Section Chief, for astronaut software testing in SAIL, and astronaut launch support activities; and Operations Assistant to the Hubble Repair Mission Director. Cameron served as the first NASA Director of Operations in Star City, Moscow, where he worked with the Cosmonaut Training Center staff to set up a support system for astronaut operations and training in Star City, and received Russian training in Soyuz and Mir spacecraft systems, and flight training in Russian L-39 aircraft.

A veteran of three space flights, Cameron has logged over 561 hours in space. He served as pilot on STS-37 (April 5-11, 1991), and was the spacecraft commander on STS-56 (April 9-17, 1993) and STS-74 (November 12-20, 1995).

Cameron flew his first mission as pilot on STS-37. This mission was launched on April 5, 1991, and featured the deployment of the Gamma Ray Observatory for the purpose of exploring gamma ray sources throughout the universe. Atlantis landed on April 11, 1991.

On his second mission he was spacecraft commander on STS-56, carrying ATLAS-2. During this nine-day mission the crew of Discovery conducted atmospheric and solar studies in order to better understand the effect of solar activity on the Earth's climate and environment, and deployed and retrieved the autonomous observatory Spartan. STS-56 launched on April 8, 1993, and landed at Kennedy Space Center on April 17, 1993.

Most recently, Cameron commanded STS-74, NASA's second Space Shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir, and the first mission to use the Shuttle to assemble a module and attach it to a Space Station. STS-74 launched on November 12, 1995, and landed at Kennedy Space Center on November 20, 1995.

Cameron left NASA on August 5, 1996 to join Hughes Training, Inc., as Executive Director, Houston Operations.

_______________________________________________________________

James D. Halsell, Jr., Pilot

NAME: James Donald Halsell, Jr., (Colonel, USAF) NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born September 29, 1956, in West Monroe, Louisiana, where his parents, Don and Jean Halsell, reside. Married to the former Kathy D. Spooner of Merritt Island, Florida, where her parents, Charles and Lynn Spooner, reside. They have one son. He enjoys snow skiing, water skiing, light aircraft flying and racquetball.

EDUCATION: Graduated from West Monroe High School, West Monroe, Louisiana, in 1974; received a bachelor of science degree in engineering from the United States Air Force (USAF) Academy in 1978, a master of science degree in management from Troy University in 1983, and a master of science degree in space operations from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1985.

ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

SPECIAL HONORS: Graduated first in test pilot school class and awarded the Liethen/Tittle Trophy for the Best Overall Record for Flying and Academic Performance (1986). Recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1995), the Defense Superior Service Medal (1996), the Distinguished Flying Cross (1998), and the NASA Space Flight Medal (1994, 1995, 1997, 2000).

EXPERIENCE: Halsell graduated from the USAF Academy in 1978, and from Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, in 1979. An F-4 pilot qualified in conventional and nuclear weapons deliveries, he served at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada, from 1980-1981, and Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta, Georgia, from 1982-1984. In 1984-1985, he was a graduate student at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. He then attended the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and during the next four years he performed test flights in the F-4, the F-16, and the SR-71 aircraft.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in January 1990, Halsell became an astronaut in July 1991. A five flight veteran, Halsell has logged over 1,250 hours in space. He was the pilot on STS-65 (July 8-23, 1994) and STS-74 (November 12-20, 1995), and was mission commander on STS-83 (Apr 4-8, 1997), STS-94 (July 1-17, 1997) and STS-101 (May 19-29, 2000).

From February-August 1998, he served as NASA Director of Operations at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Star City, Russia. Halsells current assignment is Manager, Shuttle Launch Integration, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

STS-65 flew the second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2). During the 15-day flight the crew conducted more than 80 experiments focusing on materials and life sciences research in microgravity. The mission was accomplished in 236 orbits of the Earth, traveling 6.1 million miles in 353 hours and 55 minutes.

STS-74 was NASA's second Space Shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the 8-day flight the Atlantis crew successfully attached a permanent docking module to Mir and transferred over 2,000 pounds of food, water and scientific supplies for use by the cosmonauts. The STS-74 mission was accomplished in 129 orbits of the Earth, traveling 3.4 million miles in 196 hours, 30 minutes, 44 seconds.

STS-83, the Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1) Spacelab mission, was cut short because of problems with one of the Shuttle's three fuel cell power generation units. Mission duration was 95 hours and 12 minutes, traveling 1.5 million miles in 63 orbits of the Earth.

STS-94, a re-flight of the Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1) Spacelab mission, focused on materials and combustion science research in microgravity. Mission duration was 376 hours and 45 minutes, traveling 6.3 million miles in 251 orbits of the Earth.

STS-101 was the third Shuttle mission devoted to International Space Station (ISS) construction. Objectives included transporting and installing over 5,000 pounds of equipment and supplies, and conducting a space walk. The mission was accomplished in 155 orbits of the Earth, traveling 4.1 million miles in 236 hours and 9 minutes.

_______________________________________________________________

Jerry L. Ross, Mission Specialist

NAME: Jerry L. Ross (Colonel, USAF, Ret.) NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born January 20, 1948, in Crown Point, Indiana. Married to the former Karen S. Pearson of Sheridan, Indiana. They have two children. He enjoys genealogy, stained glass, racquetball, woodworking, photography, model rocketry, and flying. His mother, Mrs. Phyllis E. Ross, resides in Crown Point. His father, Donald J. Ross, is deceased. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Morris D. Pearson, reside in Sheridan, Indiana.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Crown Point High School, Crown Point, Indiana, in 1966; received bachelor of science and master of science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1970 and 1972, respectively.

ORGANIZATIONS: Lifetime Member of the Association of Space Explorers, and the Purdue Alumni Association.

SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal with one Oak Leaf, the Air Force Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf. Named a Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School and recipient of the Outstanding Flight Test Engineer Award, Class 75B. Recipient of 13 NASA Medals. Awarded the American Astronautical Society, Victor A. Prather Award (1985, 1990, 1999), and Flight Achievement Award (1992, 1996, 1999). Honorary Doctor of Science, Purdue University.

EXPERIENCE: Ross, an Air Force ROTC student at Purdue University, received his commission upon graduation in 1970. After receiving his masters degree from Purdue in 1972, he entered active duty with the Air Force and was assigned to the Ramjet Engine Division of Air Force Aero-Propulsion Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He conducted computer-aided design studies on ramjet propulsion systems, served as the project engineer for captive tests of a supersonic ramjet missile using a rocket sled track, and as the project manager for preliminary configuration development of the ASALM strategic air-launched missile. From June 1974 to July 1975, he was the Laboratory Executive Officer and Chief of the Management Operations Office.

Ross graduated from the USAF Test Pilot Schools Flight Test Engineer Course in 1976 and was subsequently assigned to the 6510th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. While on assignment to the 6510ths Flight Test Engineering Directorate, he was project engineer on a limited flying qualities evaluation of the RC-135S aircraft and, as lead B-1 flying qualities flight test engineer, was responsible for the stability and control and flight control system testing performed on the B-1 aircraft. He was also responsible, as chief B-1 flight test engineer, for training and supervising all Air Force B-1 flight test engineer crew members and for performing the mission planning for the B-1 offensive avionics test aircraft.

Ross has flown in 21 different types of aircraft, holds a private pilots license, and has logged over 3,400 flying hours, the majority in military aircraft. He retired from the Air Force on March 31, 2000.

NASA EXPERIENCE: In February 1979, Ross was assigned to the Payload Operations Division at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center as a payload officer/flight controller. In this capacity, he was responsible for the flight operations integration of payloads into the Space Shuttle. Ross was selected as an astronaut in May 1980. His technical assignments since then have included: EVA, RMS, and chase team; support crewman for STS 41-B, 41-C and 51-A; spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) during STS 41-B, 41-C, 41-D, 51-A and 51-D; Chief of the Mission Support Branch; member of the 1990 Astronaut Selectionboard; Acting Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office, and Chief of the Astronaut Office EVA and Robotics Branch.

Ross flew as a mission specialist on STS 61-B (1985), STS-27 (1988) and STS-37 (1991), was the Payload Commander on STS-55/Spacelab-D2 (1993), and again served as a mission specialist on the second Space Shuttle to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir, STS-74 (1995) and the first International Space Station assembly mission, STS-88 (1998).

A veteran of six space flights, Ross has over 1,133 hours in space, including 44 hours, 9 minutes on seven spacewalks. He is currently the Astronaut Office Branch Chief for Kennedy Space Center Operations Support.

STS 61-B was launched at night from Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida, on November 26, 1985. During the mission the crew deployed the MORELOS-B, AUSSAT II, and SATCOM Ku-2 communications satellites, and operated numerous other experiments. Ross conducted two 6-hour space walks to demonstrate Space Station construction techniques with the EASE/ACCESS experiments. After completing 108 orbits of the Earth in 165 hours, 4 minutes, 49 seconds STS 61-B Atlantis landed on Runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on December 3, 1985.

STS-27 Atlantis, launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on December 2, 1988. The mission carried a Department of Defense payload, as well as a number of secondary payloads. After 68 orbits of the Earth in 105 hours, 6 minutes, 19 seconds, the mission concluded with a dry lakebed landing on Runway 17 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on December 6, 1988.

STS-37 Atlantis, launched from KSC on April 5, 1991, and deployed the 35,000 pound Gamma Ray Observatory. Ross performed two space walks totaling 10 hours and 49 minutes to manually deploy the stuck Gamma Ray Observatory antenna and to test prototype Space Station Freedom hardware. After 93 orbits of the Earth in 143 hours, 32 minutes, 44 seconds, the mission concluded with a landing on Runway 33, at Edwards Air Force Base, on April 11, 1991.

From April 26, 1993 through May 6, 1993, Ross served as Payload Commander/Mission Specialist on STS-55 aboard the Orbiter Columbia. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, Runway 22, after 160 orbits of the Earth in 239 hours and 45 minutes. Nearly 90 experiments were conducted during the German-sponsored Spacelab D-2 mission to investigate life sciences, material sciences, physics, robotics, astronomy, and the Earth and its atmosphere.

STS-74 Atlantis, was NASAs second Space Shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. STS-74 launched on November 12, 1995, and landed at Kennedy Space Center on November 20, 1995. During the 8 day flight the crew aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis attached a permanent docking module to Mir, conducted a number of secondary experiments, and transferred 1-1/2 tons of supplies and experiment equipment between Atlantis and the Mir station. The STS-74 mission was accomplished in 129 orbits of the Earth, traveling 3.4 million miles in 196 hours, 30 minutes, 44 seconds.

STS-88 Endeavour (December 4-15, 1998) was the first International Space Station assembly mission. During the 12-day mission the U.S.-built Unity module was mated with the Russian Zarya module. Ross performed three spacewalks totaling 21 hours 22 minutes to connect umbilicals and attach tools/hardware. The crew also deployed two satellites, Mighty Sat 1 and SAC-A. The mission was accomplished in 185 orbits of the Earth in 283 hours and 18 minutes.

_______________________________________________________________

William S. McArthur, Jr., Mission Specialist

NAME: William Surles "Bill" McArthur, Jr., (Colonel, USA) NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born July 26, 1951, in Laurinburg, North Carolina. His hometown is Wakulla, North Carolina. Married to the former Cynthia Kathryn Lovin of Red Springs, North Carolina. They have two daughters. He enjoys basketball, running, and working with personal computers. Bills stepfather, Mr. Weldon C. Avant, resides in Red Springs. His parents, Brigadier General William S. McArthur and Mrs. Edith P. Avant, are deceased. Cynthias mother, Mrs. A.K. Lovin, resides in Red Springs, North Carolina.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Red Springs High School, Red Springs, North Carolina, in 1969; received a bachelor of science degree in applied science and engineering from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, in 1973, and a master of science degree in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1983.

ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA), the Army Aviation Association of America, the Association of the United States Army, the United States Military Academy Association of Graduates, the West Point Society of Greater Houston, MENSA, Phi Kappa Phi, and the Association of Space Explorers.

SPECIAL HONORS: Recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Commendation Medal, the NASA Space Flight Medal, and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Army Aviation School. Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolinas highest civilian award. Member of the Georgia Tech Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni. 1996 American Astronautical Society Flight Achievement Award. Recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

EXPERIENCE: McArthur graduated from West Point in June 1973 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Following a tour with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he entered the U.S. Army Aviation School in 1975. He was the top graduate of his flight class and was designated an Army aviator in June 1976. He subsequently served as an aeroscout team leader and brigade aviation section commander with the 2nd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea.

In 1978 he was assigned to the 24th Combat Aviation Battalion in Savannah, Georgia, where he served as a company commander, platoon leader, and operations officer. After completing studies at Georgia Tech, he was assigned to the Department of Mechanics at West Point as an assistant professor.

In June 1987, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and was designated an experimental test pilot. Other military schools completed include the Army Parachutist Course, the Jumpmaster Course, and the Command and General Staff Officers Course.

A Master Army Aviator, he has logged over 4000 flight hours in 37 different aircraft.

NASA EXPERIENCE: McArthur was assigned to NASA at the Johnson Space Center in August 1987 as a Space Shuttle vehicle integration test engineer. Duties involved engineering liaison for launch and landing operations of the Space Shuttle. He was actively involved in the integrated test of the flight control system for each Orbiter for its return to flight and was a member of the Emergency Escape and Rescue Working Group.

Selected by NASA in January 1990, McArthur became an astronaut in July 1991. Since then, McArthur has held various assignments within the Astronaut Office including: working issues relating to the solid rocket booster, redesigned solid rocket motor, and the advanced solid rocket motor. Most recently, he served as Chief of the Astronaut Office Flight Support Branch, supervising astronaut support of the Mission Control Center, prelaunch Space Shuttle processing, and launch and landing operations.

A veteran of three space flights, McArthur has logged 35 days, 2 hours, 25 minutes and 10 seconds in space, including 13 hours and 16 minutes of EVA time in two space walks.

STS-58 Columbia (October 18 - November 1, 1993) was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During the mission the crew performed neurovestibular, cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and musculoskeletal medical experiments on themselves and 48 rats, expanding our knowledge of human and animal physiology both on Earth and in space flight.

In addition, the crew performed 16 engineering tests aboard the Orbiter Columbia and 20 Extended Duration Orbiter Medical Project experiments. Additionally, the crew made extensive contacts with school children and amateur radio operators around the world through the Shuttle Amateur Radio experiment. The STS-58 mission was accomplished in 225 orbits of the Earth in 336 hours, 13 minutes, 01 second.

STS-74 Atlantis (November 12-20, 1995) was NASAs second Space Shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. STS-74 was launched from and returned to land at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During the 8-day flight the crew successfully attached a permanent docking module to Mir, conducted experiments on a number of secondary payloads, and transferred one and a half tons of supplies between Atlantis and Mir. The STS-74 mission was accomplished in 129 orbits of the Earth, traveling 3.4 million miles in 196 hours, 30 minutes, 44 seconds.

STS-92 Discovery (October 11-24, 2000) was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During the 13-day flight, the seven member crew attached the Z1 Truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 to the International Space Station using Discoverys robotic arm and performed four space walks to configure these elements. This expansion of the ISS opened the door for future assembly missions and prepared the station for its first resident crew. McArthurs EVA time totaled 13 hours and 16 minutes. The STS-92 mission was accomplished in 202 orbits, traveling 5.3 million miles in 12 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes and 25 seconds.

_______________________________________________________________

Chris A. Hadfield, Mission Specialist

NAME: Chris A. Hadfield (Colonel, CAF) CSA Astronau

PERSONAL DATA: Born August 29, 1959, in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in Milton, Ontario. Married to Helene Hadfield (née Walter). They have three children. He enjoys skiing, volleyball, guitar, singing, riding, writing, soccer. His parents, Roger and Eleanor Hadfield, reside near Milton. Her mother, Gwendoline Walter, resides in Victoria, B.C. Her father, Erhard Walter, is deceased.

EDUCATION: Received a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering (honours), Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, in 1982; post-graduate research at University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, in 1982; and a master of science degree in aviation systems, University of Tennessee, in 1992.

ORGANIZATIONS: Royal Military College Club; Society of Experimental Test Pilots; Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute; Mensa.

SPECIAL HONORS: Recipient of the 1988 Liethen-Tittle Award (given to the top pilot graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School, Hadfield is the third foreign student to win the award in the history of the school); U.S. Navy Test Pilot of the Year (1991) - (for overall achievement at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, and for work done on National Aerospace Plane propulsion, and F/A-18 out-of-control testing); awarded an honourary doctorate of engineering from the Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario, Canada (1996); member of the Order of Ontario (1996); Honourary Doctorate of Laws from Trent University (1999).

EXPERIENCE: Hadfield was raised on a corn farm in southern Ontario. He taught skiing and ski racing part- and full-time for 10 years. He was an Air Cadet, and won a glider pilot scholarship at age 15, and a powered pilot scholarship at age 16. He graduated as an Ontario scholar from Milton District High School in 1977, and joined the Canadian Armed Forces in May 1978. He spent the next two years at Royal Roads Military College, Victoria, B.C., followed by two years at Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario, from where he graduated with honors in mechanical engineering.

He was top pilot at basic flying training, Portage La Prarie, Manitoba, in 1980, and was overall top graduate at Basic Jet Training, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in 1982-1983. Fighter and CF-18 training was done in Cold Lake, Alberta, in 1984-1985. For the next three years he was with 425 Squadron, flying CF-18s for NORAD.

In June 1985 Hadfield flew the first CF-18 intercept of Soviet "Bear" aircraft. He attended the USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, California, Course 88A. Upon graduation he served as an exchange officer with the U. S. Navy at Strike Test Directorate, Patuxent River Naval Air Station. His accomplishments during 1989-1992 included: testing the F/A-18 and A-7 aircraft; performing research work with NASA on pitch control margin simulation and flight; the first military flight of F/A-18 enhanced performance engines; the first flight test of the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) external burning hydrogen propulsion; developing a new handling qualities rating scale for high angle-of-attack test; and the F/A-18 out-of-control recovery test program.

Hadfield was selected as one of four Canadian astronauts from a field of 5,330 in June 1992.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Hadfield reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1992. His technical assignments have included technical and safety issues for the Astronaut Office Operations Development Branch, Shuttle glass cockpit development, and launch support at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

In November 1995 Hadfield served as a mission specialist on STS-74, NASA's second Space Shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. During the 8-day flight the crew aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis successfully attached a permanent docking module to Mir and transferred over 2,000 pounds of food, water and scientific supplies for use by the cosmonauts.

Hadfield flew as the first Canadian mission specialist, the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in orbit, and the only Canadian to ever visit Mir.

The STS-74 mission was accomplished in 129 orbits of the Earth, traveling 3.4 million miles in 196 hours, 30 minutes, 44 seconds. Hadfield currently works as NASA's Chief CAPCOM, the voice of mission control to Shuttles in orbit, and is the Chief Astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency.

In 2001 Hadfield will fly on STS-100, International Space Station assembly Flight 6A. The primary purpose of the flight is to deliver and install the new Canadian Robot Arm (Space Station Remote Manipulator System), as well as an Italian-made resupply Logistics Module. During the flight two spacewalks are planned, which will make Hadfield the first Canadian to ever leave a spacecraft, and float free in space.