posted July 24, 2007 02:29 PM               

Missing from the 2007 Astronauts poster that appeared on the 2006-2007 earlier edition: Michael Bloomfield, Robert Curbeam, Brent Jett, Ed Lu, Steven MacLean, Bill McArthur, Lisa Nowak, Bill Oefelein, Don Thomas and Terry Wilcutt.

posted July 25, 2007 01:36 AM               

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
The names I listed were only those who were included on the previous version of the same poster but have since been removed. Some of the 10 astronauts (e.g. Bloomfield) had corresponding press releases announcing their departure, while others, such as Jett and Curbeam, are still listed as active on NASA's website. It is not clear what changed that now merited their exclusion from the poster.

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Some of these people, like McArthur, Thomas and Curbeam, are now in management positions.

posted July 25, 2007 01:53 AM               

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Originally posted by eurospace:
Some of these people, like McArthur, Thomas and Curbeam, are now in management positions.

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posted July 30, 2007 01:26 PM               

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Dr. Thomas retired from NASA in July 2007 in order to pursue private interests.

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posted July 30, 2007 06:38 PM               

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In August 2007, Dr. Lu retired from NASA in order to pursue private interests.

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posted August 10, 2007 03:43 PM               

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Astronaut Ed Lu Leaves NASA

Veteran International Space Station astronaut and space shuttle flyer Ed Lu has left NASA to accept a position in the private sector. Lu flew on two shuttle missions and lived six months aboard the station as a member of the orbiting laboratory's seventh crew.

"Ed has done an exceptional job as an astronaut during his twelve years of service," said Chief of the Astronaut Office Steve Lindsey. "He contributed greatly to the construction and operations on the International Space Station, particularly in the very difficult period after the Columbia tragedy. Additionally, his involvement in development of the Crew Exploration Vehicle will help NASA tremendously as we look forward to exploring our solar system. He will be missed by the Astronaut Office and NASA. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors."

Lu's experience includes more than six hours spacewalking. He was the first American to launch as flight engineer of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft as well as the first American to both launch and land on a Soyuz. He has visited two space stations on his missions.

Selected as an astronaut in 1994, Lu first flew in May 1997 aboard Atlantis for the STS-84 mission, the sixth shuttle mission to visit the Russian space station Mir. He next flew in 2000 on mission STS-106, also aboard Atlantis, performing a spacewalk during that flight to help outfit the Zvezda module of the International Space Station, the outpost's living quarters. Launching on the Soyuz, Lu returned to the International Space Station in 2003 as flight engineer and NASA science officer of Expedition 7, the first two-person resident crew.

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posted August 27, 2007 07:15 PM               

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Ed Lu, who flew on two Shuttle flights and spent 6 months on the International Space Station after the Columbia disaster, will be moving to balmy California to start his next mission at Google.

Google, who has brought exploration to our everyday lives, signed an agreement to build their GooglePlex at NASA Ames, and recently released GoogleSky (with high-res GoogleMoon and Mars to follow), now has its own in-house astronaut.

Lu, who has a doctorate in astrophysics from Stanford University and a strong background in the academic research environment, will have a lot to offer to GoogleSky as well as to GoogleScholar and GoogleBooks. He may also play a role in the NASA-Google Space Act Agreement projects, announced in December 2006.

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posted August 28, 2007 08:09 AM               

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Ed Lu, who flew on two Shuttle flights and spent 6 months on the International Space Station after the Columbia disaster, will be moving to balmy California to start his next mission at Google.

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posted August 28, 2007 10:18 PM            

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Originally posted by Tegwilym:
Just wait, next Microsoft will try to get their own astronaut too!

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And if they do, as usual, it will already have been done with a Mac... (Macleay, MacLean, McArthur, McBride, McCandless...)

posted September 24, 2007 10:24 AM               

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Thomas retired from NASA in July 2007 in order to pursue private interests.

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After traveling in space and orbiting the Earth, Donald Thomas decided to encourage young students to become math and science majors in the Baltimore area.

Thomas started as director of the Willard Hackerman Academy of Mathematics and Science in the Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics Aug. 1.

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Academy of Mathematics and Science lifts off with astronaut director

Towson University President Robert L. Caret announced the appointment of Donald A. Thomas as Director of the Willard Hackerman Academy of Mathematics and Science at Towson University. Thomas currently serves as a NASA International Space Station program scientist at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

As a veteran astronaut he flew on four Space Shuttle flights, logging nearly 45 days in space. Thomas received his B.S. in physics from Case Western Reserve University and his M.S. and Doctorate in materials science and engineering from Cornell University. He has extensive leadership experience in scientific operations, training and teaching and is uniquely qualified to lead the Willard Hackerman Academy. The academy’s mission is to attract and retain more students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines through professional development and mentoring for science and math teachers.

“I am proud that Towson University is able to attract a strong leader and spokesperson like Don Thomas. His accomplishments are inspiring, and his leadership will bring much-needed attention to STEM education. Universities must take an active role to ensure that America remains competitive in science and technology. I am very pleased that Don Thomas will be on board to help Towson University enhance our role,” said Dr. Caret.

The Hackerman Academy was established in 2006 through a generous gift from Willard Hackerman, president and CEO of Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. The academy is housed within the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics on the campus of Towson University.

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posted December 07, 2007 11:56 AM               

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Veteran Astronaut and Spacewalker Robert Curbeam Leaves NASA

NASA astronaut Robert Curbeam, Jr., has left NASA to take a job in the private sector.

"Bob has served his country with distinction for more than 23 years, both as an astronaut and naval officer," said Brent Jett, director of the Flight Crew Operations Directorate at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "His accomplishments and talents are truly extraordinary. We are grateful for his service at NASA and wish him well in his new career."

Curbeam most recently served as deputy director of the Flight Crew Operations Directorate. He has flown on three space shuttle missions. On his last flight, STS-116 in December 2006, Curbeam became the first shuttle astronaut ever to conduct four spacewalks in a single mission. During the spacewalks, he assisted in clearing problems that had prevented the folding of a solar array wing on the International Space Station and completed other assembly tasks.

Curbeam also flew on STS-85 in August 1997 and STS-98 in February 2001. During the STS-98 mission, he performed three spacewalks to help install the space station's Destiny laboratory. He has accumulated 45 hours and 34 minutes of spacewalking time and more than 900 hours in space.

NASA selected Curbeam as an astronaut in December 1994. He has served in a variety of technical and management positions within the Astronaut Office in Houston. He also served as deputy associate administrator for safety and mission assurance at NASA Headquarters in Washington and as director of safety, reliability and quality assurance for the Constellation Program.

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posted December 20, 2007 08:47 PM               

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Curbeam has reportedly accepted a position at the Ares Corporation.

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Capt. Robert Curbeam (USN Ret.) Appointed Vice President and Manager of Houston Operations

ARES Corporation announced today that Robert Curbeam (USN Ret.) joined ARES as Vice President and Manager of Houston Operations, effective December 3.

Curbeam, formerly Deputy Director of Flight Crew Operations at Johnson Space Center, has 23 years of military experience, 13 of which were spent as an astronaut at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The veteran of three spaceflights and seven spacewalks, Capt. Curbeam was the first astronaut to perform four spacewalks in a single Shuttle mission. In addition to his spaceflight experience, he has extensive aerospace experience, having served as Payloads Group Lead, Astronaut Office Safety Branch Chief, Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA Headquarters, and Director of Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance for the Constellation Program.

"Bob's proven ability to manage complex aerospace systems and teams will strengthen our ability to support the Vision for Space Exploration," said William Vantine, President of the Risk and Technology Solutions Division.

ARES Corporation provides risk management, project management, software and information technology, systems engineering and engineering products and services to government agencies (DoE, DOD, NASA), government contractors, Aerospace, and Fortune 1000 companies. ARES Corporation has numerous offices across the United States, Canada and South America.

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