posted 12-19-2012 04:49 PM               

NASA Astronaut David Wolf Leaves Agency

NASA astronaut David Wolf has left the space agency to return to private industry. Wolf is a veteran of five space shuttle flights and a long-duration mission on the Russian Space Station Mir.

"I had the pleasure of working with Dave for years," Bob Behnken, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, said. "His leadership and expertise within our spacewalking community was critical to the success of many shuttle and station missions. We wish him the best in this new phase of his career, and we will miss him greatly."

Wolf earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Purdue and a doctor of medicine from Indiana University. He joined NASA in 1983, and was selected to the astronaut corps in 1990. Before flying in space, he served in multiple technical roles supporting Johnson Space Center’s Medical Services Division.

In 2011, Wolf was inducted into the Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame for his work in developing the bioreactor, a device that enables the growth of tissue, cancer tumors and virus cultures outside the body in space and on Earth.

Wolf flew on five separate shuttle flights and spent 128 days aboard Mir during NASA-MIR 6 in 1996. During NASA-MIR 6, he conducted one spacewalk, using the Russian Orlan spacesuit.

He ends his NASA career after completing seven spacewalks, using both the American and Russian spacesuits, and having logged 47 hours, 5 minutes of extravehicular activity.

posted 03-22-2013 10:50 AM               

Famed Astronaut Lands at the World's Largest Children's Museum

The world's largest children's museum is over the moon about its first Extraordinary Scientist-in-Residence — former astronaut Dr. David Wolf. Adding to the excitement is an additional announcement of a new partnership with Purdue University and future programs and exhibits that will be developed, which will focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) principles as well as space exploration, the International Space Station, the Shuttle program and experiments in zero gravity featuring the work of Indiana astronauts and Purdue University, Dr. Wolf's alma mater.

The new Extraordinary Scientist-in-Residence at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis will bring the real-world experience of space and innovative science to millions of children and their families. "While Dr. Wolf is clearly a brilliant scientist who has logged 168 days in space over four separate missions, he has a charming way of communicating basic science principles in a down-to-earth manner that is fun and compelling," said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. "That blend of intelligence and charisma is a rare combination that can be invaluable in helping to capture the interest of a child in science, medicine and technology. Where else can ordinary families go to have such an extraordinary experience?"

In addition to exploring space, Wolf is also a medical doctor, electrical engineer, and inventor who has received 17 U.S. Patents, published over 40 technical publications and received over 20 NASA Space Act Awards. His rich and versatile expertise will complement that of the museum staff and partners as they develop a range of new museum programs designed to stimulate youth to discover their passions, and have fun in the process.

Already home to the nation's only biotechnology laboratory created especially for children and families, The Children's Museum will capture the intrigue of space and STEM-based learning first-hand. Families and children will be able to conduct hands-on science experiments and develop critical problem-solving skills modeled after experiments completed on the International Space Station. New programs dealing with cell growth, electronics, the impact of zero gravity and how GPS navigation works will be relevant to our changing world while piquing fascination in the naturally curious minds of the children and families who visit the museum.

"I am thrilled when I see young people light up as they wrap their mind around space flight, the cosmos and zero gravity," said Wolf. "This will be an incredible opportunity to help them think in different ways that are applicable to all problem-solving. When I look back, many of the skills I needed to be good as an astronaut were learned as a young person. I can't wait to help these young people realize what they do now will affect them for the rest of their lives."

The astronaut has big plans for reaching out directly to children and families at the museum through public events. It will be a rare opportunity for young people to meet face-to-face with a real astronaut as he ignites their interest in science, technology, engineering and math. "Curious young minds love to discover how gravity profoundly affects our bodies, changes how machines work, and enables research that is not possible on Earth," said Wolf, "We can take advantage of the instinctual attraction for space — its beauty, dangers, the marvel of accomplishments — to energize our young scientific minds right here on Earth. Yes, we are excited about the new programs and exhibits, but the powerful impact on our young visitors is what really sends us into orbit."

The museum is also pleased to announce a partnership with Purdue University to explore new opportunities in the space and engineering areas and collaborate on future programs and exhibits in conjunction with Purdue University Libraries and its Barron Hilton Flight and Space Exploration Archives, part of the Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for children to be inspired at the world's largest children's museum," said Purdue President Mitch Daniels. "Young people can share the same dreams that touched astronauts and scientists like David Wolf and learn how to launch those dreams in the classroom, much as he did during his time at Purdue."

The Children's Museum would like to extend a special thank you to the Irwin Rose family for the lead gift, which made it possible for Extraordinary Scientist-in-Residence David Wolf to join our team.

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary family learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families.

posted 10-26-2017 12:31 PM               

Astronaut David Wolf Joins Link Institute

Indiana native David Wolf- electrical engineer, medical doctor, and astronaut - joins the Link Observatory Space Science Institute staff as Chief Science Officer effective January 1, 2018.

"We are thrilled to have Indiana's own Astronaut Dr. David Wolf join our team," said Greg McCauley, Executive Director of Link Observatory Space Science Institute. "His experience, talent, knowledge, and guidance will help propel Link Observatory Space Science Institute and Indiana students to the forefront of STEM education in the country, and catapult us towards our goal of Indiana becoming the epicenter of the burgeoning space industry."

Dr. Wolf graduated from North Central High School in Indianapolis and earned a degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University. He later earned a medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. At the same time, Dr. Wolf became a flight surgeon with the United States Air Force. He later investigated the physiological effects of microgravity while on staff at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

He has traveled to space four times, including three Space Shuttle missions and a mission aboard the Russian space station Mir. Dr. Wolf has logged more than 4,040 hours in space and has completed seven spacewalks in both Russian and American spacesuits. He helped draft and was also present at the signing of the Executive Order reestablishing the National Space Council this summer. This Council will bring both military and civilian government space programs closer together. Vice President Mike Pence is its chairperson and is the president's chief adviser on national space policy.

"David's awards and honors are almost too numerous to mention," said McCauley. "But to name a few, NASA awarded him the Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal in 1990 and Inventor of the Year in 1992. He has received 15 U.S. patents and over 20 Space Act Awards primarily for three-dimensional tissue engineering technologies. David has also published over 40 technical papers."

"I am thrilled to be joining Link Observatory Space Science Institute," said Dr. Wolf. "The core of 'Innovation' lies near a passion to see beyond 'The Box' and the 'Inspiration' to go further, discover, and prove we are truly without limits. Our view of the heavens reveals 'No Box' and the 'Return on Inspiration' is similarly limitless. Our 'Viewport to The Universe' will ignite the imaginations of our youth, unleashing the power of the heavens through their imaginations."

Dr. Wolf works with the Institute on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) educational programming, public engagement and fundraising. He will officially start in his position on January 1, 2018.