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NASA Astronaut Biographies- W


NAME: David M. Walker (Captain, USN)
NASA Astronaut

BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born May 20, 1944, in Columbus, Georgia, but considers
Eustis, Florida, to be his hometown. His mother, Mrs. Walter Rundle, resides
there.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Red hair; blue eyes; height: 5 feet 10 inches; weight:
165 pounds.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Eustis High School, Eustis, Florida, in 1962;
received a bachelor of science degree from the United States Naval Academy in
1966.

MARITAL STATUS: Single.

CHILDREN: Michael, March 11, 1969; Matt, September 15, 1971.

RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys reading, music and a variety of sports.

SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Distinguished
Flying Cross, six Navy Air Medals, the Battle Efficiency Ribbon, the Armed
Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the NASA Space
Flight Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Vietnam Service Medal, and
the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

ORGANIZATIONS: Associate Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots,
Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Naval
Institute, the Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Museum of Naval
Aviation Foundation.

EXPERIENCE: Walker was graduated from Annapolis and subsequently received
flight training from the Naval Aviation Training Command at bases in Florida,
Mississippi, and Texas. He was designated a naval aviator in December 1967 and
proceeded to Naval Air Station Miramar, California, for assignment F-4 Phantoms
aboard the carriers USS ENTERPRISE and USS AMERICA. From December 1970 to
1971, he attended the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force
Base, California, and was subsequently assigned in January 1972 as an
experimental and engineering test pilot in the flight test division at the
Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland. While there, he participated
in the Navy's preliminary evaluation and Board of Inspection and Survey trials
of the F-14 Tomcat and tested a leading edge slat modification to the F-4
Phantom. He then attended the U.S. Navy Safety Officer School at Monterey,
California, and completed replacement pilot training in the F-14 Tomcat at
Naval Air Station Miramar, California. In 1975, Walker was assigned to Fighter
Squadron 142, stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, as a fighter
pilot and was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea twice aboard the USS AMERICA.

He has logged more than 5,500 hours flying time -- 5,000 hours in jet aircraft.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in January 1978, Walker became an astronaut
in August 1979, qualified for assignment as a pilot on future Space Shuttle
flight crews. His technical assignments since then include: Astronaut Office
Safety Officer; Deputy Chief of Aircraft Operations ; STS-1 chase pilot;
software verification at the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL);
mission support group leader for STS-5 and 6, Assistant to the Director, Flight
Crew Operations; leader of the astronaut support crew at Kennedy Space Center;
and Branch Chief, Space Station Design and Development; and Special Manager for
Assembly, Space Station Project Office.

Walker was pilot on the crew of STS-51A which launched from Kennedy Space
Center, Florida, on November 8, 1984. This was the second flight of the
Orbiter Discovery. During the mission the crew deployed two satellites,
Canada's Anik D-2 (Telesat H) and Hughes' LEASAT-1 (Syncom IV-1), and operated
the Radiation Monitoring Equipment (RME) device, and the 3M Company's Diffusive
Mixing of Organic Solutions (DMOS) experiment. In the first space salvage
mission in history the crew also retrieved for return to earth the Palapa B-2
and Westar VI satellites. STS-51A completed 127 orbits of the Earth before
landing at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on November 16, 1984.

As commander of STS-30, Walker and his crew launched from Kennedy Space Center,
Florida, on May 4, 1989, aboard the Orbiter Atlantis. During the four day
mission, crew members successfully deployed the Magellan Venus-exploration
spacecraft, the first U.S. planetary science mission launched since 1978, and
the first planetary probe to be deployed from the Shuttle. Magellan arrived at
Venus on August 10, 1990, and will map the entire surface of Venus, for the
first time, using specialized radar instruments. In addition, crew members
also worked on secondary payloads involving fluid research in general,
chemistry and electrical storm studies. Following 64 orbits of the earth, the
STS-30 mission concluded with the first cross-wind landing test of the Shuttle
Orbiter at Edwards Air Force Base, California on May 8, 1989.

With the completion of his first flight Walker has logged a total of 289 hours
in space.

CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Captain Walker is currently the Special Manager for
Assembly in the Space Station Project Office, JSC.

NOVEMBER 1990



NAME: Paul J. Weitz (pronounced WHITES) (Mr.)
NASA Astronaut

BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 1932. His
mother, Mrs. Violet Futrell, now resides in Norfolk, Virginia.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Blond hair; blue eyes; height: 5 feet 10 inches; weight:
180 pounds.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Harborcreek High School in Harborcreek,
Pennsylvania; received a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering
from Pennsylvania State University in 1954 and a master's degree in
Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey,
California, in 1964.

MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Suzanne M. Berry of Harborcreek,
Pennsylvania; her father is Mr. John H. Berry.

CHILDREN: Matthew J., September 23, 1958; Cynthia A., September 25, 1961.

RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: Hunting and fishing are among his hobbies.

ORGANIZATIONS: Fellow, American Astronautical Association.

SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy
Distinguished Service Medal, Astronaut Wings, Air Medal (5 awards), and
Commendation Medal (for combat flights in Vietnam); the Los Angeles Chamber of
Commerce Kitty Hawk Award (1973), the Robert J. Collier Trophy for 1973 (1974),
the Pennsylvania State University Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni
Award; named a Pennsylvania State University Alumni Fellow (1974), the AIAA
Haley Astronautics Award for 1974, the Federation Aeronautique Internationale's
V. M. Komarov Diploma for 1973 (1974), the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial
Trophy for 1975, the 1974 Harmon International Aviation Trophy for Astronaut
(1975); NASA Space Flight Medal (1983), the 1984 Harmon International Award
(1989).

EXPERIENCE: Weitz received his commission as an Ensign through the NROTC
program at Pennsylvania State University. He served for one year at sea aboard
a destroyer before going to flight training and was awarded his wings in
September 1956. He served in various naval squadrons until he was selected as
an astronaut in 1966. He has logged more than 7,700 hours flying time -- 6,400
hours in jet aircraft.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Mr. Weitz is one of the 19 astronauts selected by NASA in
April 1966. Weitz served as pilot on Skylab 2 (SL-2), which launched on May 25
and ended on June 22, 1973. SL-2 was the first manned Skylab mission, and
activated a 28-day flight. In logging 672 hours and 49 minutes aboard the
orbital workshop, the crew established what was then a new world record for a
single mission. Mr. Weitz also logged 2 hours and 11 minutes in extravehicular
activities.

Mr. Weitz was spacecraft commander of STS-6, which launched from Kennedy Space
Center, Florida, on April 4, 1983. This was the maiden voyage of the Orbiter
Challenger. During the mission, the crew conducted numerous experiments in
materials processing; recorded lightning activities; deployed IUS/TDRS-A; and
conducted spectacular extravehicular activity while testing a variety of
support systems and equipment in preparation for future EVA's, and also carried
three Getaway Specials. Mission duration was 120 hours before landing
Challenger on a concrete runway at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on April
9, 1983. With the completion of this flight Paul Weitz logged a total of 793
hours in space.

CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Mr. Weitz currently serves as the Deputy Director of the
Johnson Space Center.

APRIL 1990



NAME: James D. Wetherbee (Commander, USN)
NASA Astronaut

BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born November 27, 1952, in Flushing, New York. His
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dana A. Wetherbee, reside in Huntington Station, New
York.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown hair; grey eyes; height: 6 feet 4 inches; weight:
190 pounds.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Holy Family Diocesan High School, South Huntington,
New York, in 1970; received a bachelor of science degree in Aerospace
Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1974.

MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Robin DeVore Platt of Jacksonville,
Florida. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry T. Platt, Jr., reside in
Jacksonville, Florida.

CHILDREN: Kelly DeVore, March 28, 1986; Jennifer Marie, September 30, 1987.

RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys tennis, skiing, softball, racquetball,
basketball, running, and music.

ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, and two Meritorious Unit
Commendations.

EXPERIENCE: Wetherbee received his commission in the United States Navy in
1975 and was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1976. After training in
the A-7E, he was assigned to Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72) from August 1977 to
November 1980 aboard the USS John F. Kennedy and logged 125 night carrier
landings. He was then selected to attend the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School,
Patuxent River, Maryland. Following training in 1981, he was assigned to the
Systems Engineering Test Directorate where he was a project officer and test
pilot for the weapons delivery system and avionics integration for the F/A-18
aircraft. Subsequently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 132 (VFA-132),
Wetherbee flew operationally in the F/A-18 from January 1984 until his
selection for the astronaut candidate program.

He has logged over 3,500 hours flying time and 345 carrier landings in 20
different types of aircraft.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in May 1984, Wetherbee became an astronaut
in June 1985, qualifying him for assignment as a pilot on future Space Shuttle
flight crews. Some of his assignments since then include having served as
Technical Assistant to the Director of Flight Crew Operations, and tasks within
the Mission Support Branch of the Astronaut Office.

Wetherbee was the pilot on the crew of STS-32 which launched from the Kennedy
Space Center, Florida, on January 9, 1990. In the longest Shuttle mission to
date, crew members on board the Orbiter Columbia successfully deployed the
Syncom IV-F5 satellite, and retrieved the 21,400 lb Long Duration Exposure
Facility (LDEF) using the Remote Manipulator System (RMS). They also operated
a variety of middeck experiments including the Microgravity Disturbance
Experiment (MDE) using the Fluids Experiment Apparatus (FEA), Protein Crystal
Growth (PCG), American Flight Echocardiograph (AFE), Latitude/Longitude Locator
(L3), Mesoscale Lightning Experiment (MLE), Characterization of Neurospora
Circadian Rhythms (CNCR), and the IMAX Camera. Additionally, numerous medical
test objectives, including inflight Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP),
inflight aerobic exercise and muscle performance were conducted to evaluate
human adaptation to extended duration missions. Following 173 orbits of the
earth in 261 hours, Columbia returned with a night landing at Edwards Air Force
Base, California, on January 20, 1990. With the completion of his first
flight, Wetherbee has logged a total of 261 hours in space.

CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Commander Wetherbee will serve as pilot on the crew of
STS-46. Scheduled for launch in early 1992, this seven day mission will
feature the deployment of the European Retrievable Carrier (EURECA), an
ESA-sponsored free-flying science platform, and will also demonstrate the
Tethered Satellite System (TSS), a joint project between NASA and the Italian
Agency.

JANUARY 1991



NAME: Terrence W. Wilcutt (Major, USMC)
Astronaut Candidate (Pilot)

BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born October 31, 1949, in Russellville,
Kentucky. His parents, George & Inez Wilcutt, reside in Russellville.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown hair; blue eyes; height: 5 feet 10
inches; weight: 160 pounds.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Southern High School, Louisville, Kentucky
in 1967; received a bachelor of arts degree in Math from Western
Kentucky University in 1974.

MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Robin Jo Moyers of Louisville,
Kentucky. Her parents, Robert & Emma Moyers, reside in Louisville.

CHILDREN: Andrew Brian, March 28, 1984; Aaron Michael, September 14,
1988.

RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: Flying, running, weight lifting, woodworking.

ORGANIZATIONS: Member of Society of Experimental Tests Pilots (SETP).

SPECIAL HONORS: Recipient of Navy Commendation Medal, and Sea Service
Deployment Ribbon. Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval
Test Pilot School.

EXPERIENCE: After graduation from college in 1974, Wilcutt taught
high school math for two years prior to entering the Marine Corps. He
was commissioned in 1976 and earned his wings in 1978. Following
initial F-4 Phantom training in VMFAT-101, he reported to VMFA-235,
Kaneohe, Hawaii. While assigned to VMFA-235, Wilcutt attended the
Naval Fighter Weapons and Air Combat Maneuvering instructor in
VFA-125, Lemoore, California. In 1986, Wilcutt was selected to
attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School, where he earned
the title "Distinguished Graduate". Following graduation from USNTPS
he was assigned as a test pilot/project officer for Strike Aircraft
Test Directorate (SATD) at the Naval Aircraft Test Center, Patuxent
River, Maryland. While assigned to SATD, Wilcutt flew the F/A-18
Hornet, the A-7 Corsair ll, the F-4 Phantom, and various other
aircraft to test a wide variety of projects and classified programs.
He has over 2,000 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft.

Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1990, Wilcutt
commenced a one year training and evaluation program in July 1990,
completion of which will qualify him for subsequent assignment as a
pilot on future Space Shuttle flight crews.

SEPTEMBER 1990



NAME: Donald E. Williams (Captain, USN)
NASA Astronaut

BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Born February 13, 1942, in Lafayette, Indiana. His
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Williams, reside in Houston, Texas.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown hair; brown eyes; height: 5 feet 11 inches;
weight: 155 pounds.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Otterbein High School, Otterbein, Indiana, in 1960;
received a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue
University in 1964.

MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Linda Jo Grubaugh of Sturgis, Michigan.
Her mother, Mrs. Herbert E. Grubaugh, resides in Howe, Indiana.

CHILDREN: Jonathan Edward, September 17, 1974; Barbara Jane, July 10, 1976.

RECREATIONAL INTERESTS: He enjoys all sports activities, and his interests
also include running, and photography.

ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded 31 Air Medals, 2 Navy Commendation Medals with Combat
V, 2 Navy Unit Commendations, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National
Defense Medal, an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the NASA Space Flight
Medal, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (with 4
stars), a Vietnamese Gallantry Cross (with gold star), and the Vietnam Campaign
Medal.

EXPERIENCE: Williams received his commission through the NROTC program at
Purdue University. He completed flight training at Pensacola, Florida;
Meridian, Mississippi; and Kingsville, Texas, receiving his wings in May 1966.

After A-4 training, he made two Vietnam deployments aboard the USS ENTERPRISE
with Attack Squadron 113. He served as a flight instructor in Attack Squadron
125 at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, for 2 years and transitioned to
A-7 aircraft. He made two additional Vietnam deployments aboard the USS
ENTERPRISE with CVW-14 staff and Attack Squadron 97. Williams completed a
total of 330 combat missions.

In 1973, Williams attended the Armed Forces Staff College. He graduated from
the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland, in June 1974, and
was assigned to the Naval Air Test Center's Carrier Suitability Branch of
Flight Test Division. From August 1976 to June 1977, following reorganization
of the Naval Air Test Center, he was head of the Carrier Systems Branch, Strike
Aircraft Test Directorate. He reported next for A-7 refresher training and was
assigned to Attack Squadron 94 when selected by NASA.

He has logged more than 6,000 hours flying time, which includes 5,700 hours in
jets and 745 carrier landings.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in January 1978, Williams became an
astronaut in August 1979, qualified for assignment as a pilot on future Space
Shuttle flight crews. Since then he has had various support assignments,
including working at the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory as a test
pilot, and at the Kennedy Space Center participating in Orbiter test, checkout,
launch, and landing operations. From September 1982 through July 1983, he was
assigned as the Deputy Manager, Operations Integration, National Space
Transportation System Program Office at the Johnson Space Center.

Williams was pilot for STS-51D, the fourth flight of Discovery and the
sixteenth Shuttle mission. Launch was from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on
April 12, 1985. The crew deployed ANIK-C for Telesat of Canada, and Syncom
IV-3 for the U.S. Navy. A malfunction in the Syncom spacecraft resulted in the
first unscheduled EVA, rendezvous and proximity operations for the Space
Shuttle in an attempt to activate the satellite. Additionally the 51D crew
conducted several medical experiments, two student experiments, activated two
Getaway Specials and filmed experiments with toys in space. After 168 hours of
orbital operations, and 109 orbits of the earth, Discovery landed on Runway 33
at the Kennedy Space Center on April 19, 1985.

From July 1985 through August 1986, Williams was the Deputy Chief of the
Aircraft Operations Division at the Johnson Space Center. Williams also served
as Chief of the Mission Support Branch within the Astronaut Office.

On his second space flight, Williams commanded STS-34. Atlantis launched from
Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on October 18, 1989, and landed at Edwards Air
Force Base, California, on October 23, 1989. During the mission the crew
successfully deployed the Galileo spacecraft, starting its journey to explore
Jupiter, operated the Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Instrument (SSBUV)
to map atmospheric ozone, and performed numerous secondary experiments
involving radiation measurements, polymer morphology, lightning research,
microgravity effects on plants, and a student experiment on ice crystal growth
in space. Mission duration was 79 orbits of the earth, and logged Captain
Williams an additional 119 hours and 41 minutes in space.

OCTOBER 1989


 
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