John M. Grunsfeld
- STS -67 ( 1995)
- STS -81 (1997)
- STS- 103 (1999)
- STS- 109 (2002)
- STS- 125 (2009)
John Mace Grunsfeld ( born October 10, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois, USA) is an American astronaut.
Start of career
Grunsfeld graduated in on the Highland Park High School in Illinois. He then studied physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated in 1980 with a bachelor's degree. From the University of Chicago in 1984, he earned a master's degree in 1988 and a doctorate in physics.
NASA
He was elected to the 14th astronaut group of NASA in 1992 and a year designed as a mission specialist. He specializes in the portable computer for work in space.
STS -67
On his first space mission Grunsfeld flew on 2 March 1995 with the latest space shuttle Endeavour into space. It was the second flight of the Astro observatory with three Ultra-Violet telescopes on board. The flight lasted 16 days and ended with a landing on 18 March 1995 at the Edwards Air Force Base in California.
After this space flight, he became head of a group of scientists who developed the control system and the computers of the ISS.
STS -81
On his second space flight Grunsfeld flew from 12 to 22 August 1997 with the Atlantis to the Russian space station Mir. It was the fifth flight of Atlantis to the Mir and the second, exchanged at the astronauts of the long-term occupation. The most important test was a fitness treadmill that is also used on the ISS now, its oscillations are damped, so that the movements of the astronauts will not transfer to the space station. Landed was directly at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
After this flight, he became chief of the department of computer development for the ISS and the Space Shuttle.
STS -103
The third flight led him to the discovery of 20 to 28 December 1999 on the Hubble Space Telescope. Here special maintenance were carried out and just put the computer hardware up to date. Landed in turn was directly at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
After this flight, Grunsfeld became the Head of Training for vehicular activities (EVA ) s During the flight, he led a Mars flag with it, which was for the first time in space.
STS -109
He received his fourth flight from 1 to 12 March 2002 with the Columbia turn to the Hubble Space Telescope. Also this time were carried out maintenance work, including the control system and the solar panels has been replaced. Again, landed in Florida.
After this flight, he was appointed chief scientist of NASA.
STS -125
This flight took off place on 11 May 2009 and was the 30th flight of Atlantis, who had meanwhile planned even as the last space shuttle flight this. He led Grunsfeld for the third time to the Hubble Space Telescope, which is waiting for the last time. Grunsfeld was selected for this mission because he has the most experience with outboard activities related to the telescope.
According to the NASA
Beginning of January 2010, NASA announced that Grunsfeld will leave NASA and go as deputy director of the Space Telescope Science Institute.
Summary
Private
Grunsfeld is married and has two children. His hobbies include mountain climbing, flying, sailing, cycling and music.