Author
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Topic: Astronaut Alan "Dex" Poindexter (1961-2012)
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-02-2012 12:23 AM
collectSPACE Former NASA astronaut Alan Poindexter, 50, dies in jet ski accidentFormer astronaut Alan "Dex" Poindexter, 50, a space shuttle commander who flew twice into space, died Sunday (July 1) after being injured in a water sports accident in Florida, NASA confirmed. "The NASA family was sad to learn of the passing of our former friend, and colleague Alan Poindexter who was killed today during a jet ski accident in Florida," the space agency wrote on Facebook late on Sunday evening. "Our thought and hearts are with his family." According to local media reports citing the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), Poindexter was jet skiing with his sons on Little Sabine Bay near Pensacola Beach, Fla., when the accident occurred. NASA release NASA Extends Sympathy to Poindexter Family on Death of Former AstronautFormer NASA astronaut and space shuttle commander Alan "Dex" Poindexter died while on vacation with his family July 1 in Pensacola, Fla. A veteran of two spaceflights, Poindexter spent a total of 28 days in space. Poindexter, a U.S. Navy captain, commanded the STS-131 space shuttle Discovery mission to the International Space Station in 2010, delivering more than 13,000 pounds of hardware and equipment. He was the pilot for shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission that delivered and installed the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory on the station in 2008. "Alan and I joined the astronaut corps in 1998 and flew together on STS-122, which was truly an incredible experience," said NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former astronaut Leland Melvin. "He was a passionate, caring and selfless individual who will be missed by all." "We in the astronaut family have lost not only a dear friend, but also a patriot of the United States," said Peggy Whitson, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "He proudly served his country for 26 years as a fighter pilot, test pilot, astronaut and commander of a space shuttle. I am proud to have both flown in space and worked with him for so many years. Dex will be deeply missed by those of us at Johnson and the entire NASA family." Poindexter earned an undergraduate degree with highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and a graduate degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. He was selected as an astronaut candidate in June 1998 and served in the Astronaut Office, Shuttle Operations Branch at Johnson as the lead support astronaut for NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He also served as a spacecraft communicator, or CAPCOM, for multiple missions. "Dex was a wonderful human being and a pleasure to have in the astronaut office," Janet Kavandi, fellow astronaut and Director of Flight Crew Operations said. "His good-natured demeanor made him approachable to his crews and the many people at Johnson and Kennedy who enabled his missions." Poindexter retired from NASA and the astronaut corps in 2010 and returned to serve in the United States Navy as Dean of Students at the Naval Postgraduate School. A moment of silence can be signified by a reply with no words and only a period. |
Delta7 Member Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 07-02-2012 01:13 AM
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Mike Dixon Member Posts: 1397 From: Kew, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2003
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posted 07-02-2012 01:14 AM
Tragic... deepest sympathies.
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ringo67 Member Posts: 179 From: Seekonk, Mass., USA Registered: May 2003
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posted 07-02-2012 01:14 AM
STS-131 was the first and only shuttle launch I saw in person. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends..
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SPACEFACTS Member Posts: 301 From: Germany Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 07-02-2012 01:20 AM
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Jay Chladek Member Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 07-02-2012 02:33 AM
STS-131 was one of the three launches I got to see (and it was my only night launch). I never met "Dex" in person as I only ever saw him at a distance. I got an inkling as to what kind of a person he was by interviewing and interacting with those who knew him (including one 131 crewmember). Granted he left NASA two years ago, but he is going to be missed by a lot of people there (and around the world). . |
eurospace Member Posts: 2610 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 07-02-2012 03:29 AM
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APG85 Member Posts: 306 From: Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 07-02-2012 03:36 AM
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Gilbert Member Posts: 1328 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 07-02-2012 05:57 AM
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NavySpaceFan Member Posts: 655 From: Norfolk, VA Registered: May 2007
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posted 07-02-2012 06:23 AM
I had the pleasure of interviewing CAPT Poindexter for my first book. We had alot of fun discussing his achievement of the Command at Sea milestone, and what his "black shoe" Surface Warrior dad thought of his "brown shoe" Aviator son and his unique command tour. RIP sir. |
MSS Member Posts: 633 From: Poland Registered: May 2003
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posted 07-02-2012 06:26 AM
RIP Dex |
Jerry Brouillette Member Posts: 147 From: Louviers, CO Registered: Jul 2006
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history in miniature Member Posts: 600 From: Slatington, PA Registered: Mar 2009
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hlbjr Member Posts: 475 From: Delray Beach Florida USA Registered: Mar 2006
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413 is in Member Posts: 628 From: Alexandria, VA USA Registered: May 2006
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GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2476 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
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gliderpilotuk Member Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
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gliderpilotuk Member Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
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