STS-96 Crew Members

Crew Members

Commander:    Kent V. Rominger
During the flight, the Commander has onboard responsibility for the vehicle, crew, mission success and safety of flight.

Previous Space Flights:
NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in March 1992, Rominger reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1992. He completed one year of training and is qualified for assignment as a pilot on future Space Shuttle flight crews. Rominger was initially assigned to work technical issues for the Astronaut Office Operations Development Branch. A veteran of three space flights, Rominger has logged over 1,090 hours in space. He flew as pilot on STS-73 in 1995, STS-80 in 1996 and STS-85 in 1997. Rominger is assigned to command the crew of Discovery on STS-96, a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for May 1999. SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-73 Columbia (October 20 to November 5, 1995) was the second United States Microgravity Laboratory mission. The mission focused on materials science, biotechnology, combustion science, the physics of fluids, and numerous scientific experiments housed in the pressurized Spacelab module. In completing his first space flight, Rominger orbited the earth 256 times, traveled over 6 million miles, and logged a total of 15 days, 21 hours, 52 minutes and 21 seconds in space. STS-80 Columbia (November 19 to December 7, 1996) was a 17-day mission during which the crew deployed and retrieved the Wake Shield Facility (WSF) and the Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (ORFEUS) satellites. The free-flying WSF created a super vacuum in its wake and grew thin film wafers for use in semiconductors and other high-tech electrical components. The ORFEUS instruments, mounted on the reusable Shuttle Pallet Satellite, studied the origin and makeup of stars. In completing his second space flight, Rominger orbited the earth a record 278 times, traveled over 7 million miles and logged 17 days, 15 hours and 53 minutes in space. STS-85 (August 7-19, 1997) was a 12-day mission during which the crew deployed and retrieved the CRISTA-SPAS satellite, operated the Japanese Manipulator Flight Demonstration (MFD) robotic arm, studied changes in the Earth's atmosphere and tested technology destined for use on the future International Space Station. The mission was accomplished in 189 Earth orbits, traveling 4.7 million miles in 11 days, 20 hours and 27 minutes. AUGUST 1998

Ascent Seating:   Flight Deck - Port Forward
Entry Seating:     Flight Deck - Port Forward

Pilot:    Rick D. Husband
The pilot assists the Mission Commander in controlling and operating the Shuttle. In addition, the pilot may assist in the deployment and retrieval of satellites utilizing the Shuttle's robot arm, and often coordinates the activities of astronauts conducting space walks or Extravehicular Activities.
During STS-96, pilot Rick Husband will be a back-up EVA crew member and also is the back-up robot arm operator during the space walks.

Previous Space Flights:
NASA EXPERIENCE: Husband was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in December 1994. He reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995 to begin a year of training and evaluation. Upon completion of training, Husband was named the Astronaut Office representative for Advanced Projects at Johnson Space Center, working on Space Shuttle Upgrades, the Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) and studies to return to the Moon and travel to Mars. Husband is assigned to pilot Discovery on STS-96, an 11-day logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for May 1999.

Ascent Seating:   Flight Deck - Starboard Forward
Entry Seating:     Flight Deck - Starboard Forward

Mission Specialist 1:    Tamara E. Jernigan
Dr. Jernigan will serve as the prime space walking crew member on STS-96, designated EV 1, because of her striped space suit. She will also be the first crew member to enter the International Space Station the day after she conducts her space walk with Dan Barry. Jernigan will also serve as a backup to Ellen Ochoa for many procedures involving the shuttle's robot arm, or remote manipulator system, except during the space walks when pilot Rick Husband is the back-up arm operator.

Previous Space Flights:
NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in June 1985, Dr. Jernigan became an astronaut in July 1986. Her assignments since then have included: software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL); operations coordination on secondary payloads; spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in Mission Control for STS-30, STS-28, STS-34, STS-33, and STS-32; lead astronaut for flight software development; Chief of the Astronaut Office Mission Development Branch; Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office. A veteran of four space flights, Dr. Jernigan has logged over 1,277 hours in space. She was a mission specialist on STS-40 (June 5-14, 1991) and STS-52 (October 22-November 1, 1992), was the payload commander on STS-67 (March 2-18, 1995), and again served as a mission specialist on STS-80 (November 19 to December 7, 1996). Dr. Jernigan is currently the Assistant for Station to the Chief of the Astronaut Office, directing crew involvement in the development and operation of the Station. SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-40 Spacelab Life Sciences (SLS-1) was a dedicated space and life sciences mission aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. During the nine-day flight crew members performed experiments which explored how humans, animals and cells respond to microgravity and readapt to Earth's gravity on return. Other payloads included experiments designed to investigate materials science, plant biology and cosmic radiation. Mission duration was 218 hours, 14 minutes, 20 seconds. Landing was at Edwards Air Force Base, California. STS-52 was also launched aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. During the ten-day flight, the crew deployed the Italian Laser Geodynamic Satellite (LAGEOS) which will be used to measure movement of the Earth's crust, and operated the U.S. Microgravity Payload 1 (USMP-1). Also, the Space Vision System (SVS), developed by the Canadian Space Agency, was tested by the crew using a small target assembly which was released from the remote manipulator system. The SVS will be used for Space Station construction. In addition, numerous other experiments were performed by the crew encompassing the areas of geophysics, materials science, biological research and applied research for Space Station. Mission duration was 236 hours, 56 minutes 13 seconds. Landing was at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. STS-67 Astro-2 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour was the second flight of the Astro observatory, a unique complement of three telescopes. During this record-setting 16-day mission, the crew conducted observations around the clock to study the far ultraviolet spectra of faint astronomical objects and the polarization of ultraviolet light coming from hot stars and distant galaxies. Mission duration was 399 hours and 9 minutes. Landing was at Edwards Air Force Base in California. On STS-80 the crew aboard Space Shuttle Columbia successfully deployed and retrieved the Wake Shield Facility (WSF) and the Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (ORFEUS) satellites. The free-flying WSF created a super vacuum in its wake and grew thin film wafers for use in semiconductors and other high-tech electrical components. The ORFEUS instruments, mounted on the reusable Shuttle Pallet Satellite, studied the origin and makeup of stars. Her two planned spacewalks were lost due to a jammed outer hatch on the airlock. Mission duration was a record breaking 423 hours, 53 minutes. MARCH 1998

Ascent Seating:   Mid Deck - Port
Entry Seating:     Mid Deck - Port
EV1

Mission Specialist 2:    Ellen Ochoa
Dr. Ochoa will serve as the prime robot arm operator during STS-96, using the arm to maneuver Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry for certain tasks during their space walk. Ochoa will also be the prime crew member in charge of the tools to be used in Discovery's rendezvous with the International Space Station and is responsible for activating and deactivating the systems of the double Spacehab module in the cargo bay. In addition, Ochoa is the so-called "loadmaster" during the flight, responsible for the transfer of thousands of pounds of hardware and logistical items from Discovery to the International Space Station for future use.

Previous Space Flights:
EXPERIENCE: As a doctoral student at Stanford, and later as a researcher at Sandia National Laboratories and NASA Ames Research Center, Dr. Ochoa investigated optical systems for performing information processing. She is a co-inventor on three patents for an optical inspection system, an optical object recognition method, and a method for noise removal in images. As Chief of the Intelligent Systems Technology Branch at Ames, she supervised 35 engineers and scientists in the research and development of computational systems for aerospace missions. Dr. Ochoa has presented numerous papers at technical conferences and in scientific journals. Selected by NASA in January 1990, Dr. Ochoa became an astronaut in July 1991. Her technical assignments to date include flight software verification, crew representative for flight software and computer hardware development, crew representative for robotics development, testing, and training, Assistant for Space Station to the Chief of the Astronaut Office, directing crew involvement in the development and operation of the Station, and spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in Mission Control. A veteran of two space flights, Dr. Ochoa has logged over 484 hours in space. Dr. Ochoa is assigned to the crew of STS-96, a 10-day logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for May 1999. In April 1993, Dr. Ochoa flew as a Mission Specialist on STS-56, carrying ATLAS-2. During this 9-day mission the crew of Discovery conducted atmospheric and solar studies in order to better understand the effect of solar activity on the Earth's climate and environment. Dr. Ochoa used the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) to deploy and capture the Spartan satellite, which studied the solar corona. Dr. Ochoa was the Payload Commander on the STS-66 Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science-3 mission (November 3-14, 1994). ATLAS-3 continues the series of Spacelab flights to study the energy of the Sun during an 11-year solar cycle and to learn how changes in the sun's irradiance affect the Earth's climate and environment. Dr. Ochoa used the RMS to retrieve the CRISTA-SPAS atmospheric research satellite at the end of its 8-day free flight.

Ascent Seating:   Flight Deck - Center Aft
Entry Seating:     Flight Deck - Center Aft
RMS

Mission Specialist 3:    Daniel T. Barry
In addition to his role as one of two space walkers during the flight, Dr. Barry will be in charge of the operation of the various computers the crew members will use. Barry will be one of three crew members responsible for the systems of the International Space Station during the docked phase of the flight, and will participate in a number of secondary experiments and technology demonstrations.

Previous Space Flights:
NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in March 1992, Dr. Barry reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1992. He completed one year of training and is qualified for assignment as a mission specialist on Space Shuttle flight crews. Dr. Barry has worked on primary payload development, the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL), portable computing issues for Space Shuttle, Chief of Astronaut Appearances, and as a source board member for the NASA Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI). He flew on STS-72 in 1996, and has logged over 214 hours in Space, including a 6 hour, 9 minute spacewalk. Dr. Barry is assigned to STS-96 as an EVA crewmember. STS-96 will be the first flight to dock to the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for May 1999. SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-72 Endeavour (January 11-20, 1996) was a 9-day flight during which the crew retrieved the Space Flyer Unit (launched from Japan 10-months earlier), deployed and retrieved the OAST-Flyer, and Dr. Barry performed a 6 hour, 9 minute spacewalk designed to demonstrate and evaluate techniques to be used in the assembly of the International Space Station. Mission duration was 142 Earth orbits, traveling 3.7 million miles in 214 hours and 41 seconds. AUGUST 1998

Ascent Seating:   Flight Deck - Starboard Aft
Entry Seating:     Mid Deck - Center
EV2

Mission Specialist 4:    Julie Payette
Payette will be the prime crew member in charge of Unity's systems while Discovery is docked to the International Space Station and will assist Valery Tokarev in monitoring Zarya's systems during the docked phase of the mission. Payette is the lead crew member for any in-flight maintenance of station systems or hardware, and will join Valery Tokarev for the swapout of battery voltage regulators in Zarya. She will also be the prime choreographer for the space walk to be conducted by Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry. Payette is responsible for stowing equipment on the ISS and aboard Discovery, operating the Shuttle's robot arm for a camera survey, and will be in charge of the STARSHINE student science satellite.

Previous Space Flights:
Canadian Space Agency Astronaut. Ms. Payette was selected as an astronaut by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in June 1992 and underwent training in Canada. After basic training, she worked as a technical advisor for the MSS (Mobile Servicing System), the Canadian contribution to the International Space Station. In 1993, Ms. Payette established the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Group at the Canadian Astronaut Program and served as a technical specialist on the NATO International Research Study Group (RSG-10) on speech processing (1993-1996). In preparation for a space assignment, Ms. Payette studied Russian and logged over 120 hours of of reduced gravity flight time aboard various parabolic aircraft (KC-135, T-33, Falcon-20, DC-9). In April 1996, Ms. Payette completed a deep-sea diving hard suit training program in Vancouver BC and was certified as a one-atmosphere diving suit operator. Ms. Payette obtained her captaincy on military jet at the Canadian Air Force Base in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in February 1996. She has since obtained her military instrument rating and continues to fly regularly with the training squadron. Ms. Payette has logged more than 600 hours of flight time, including 150 hours on the Tutor CT-114 jet aircraft. NASA EXPERIENCE: Ms. Payette reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996 to begin mission specialist training. She completed initial astronaut training in April 1998 and was assigned to work technical issues for the Astronaut Office EVA/Robotics Branch. Ms. Payette is assigned as a mission specialist on the crew of STS-96 Atlantis, a 10-day logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station. Launch is targeted for May 1999. AUGUST 1998

Ascent Seating:   Mid Deck - Center
Entry Seating:     Flight Deck - Starboard Aft
IV1

Mission Specialist 5:    Valery Tokarev
Tokarev will join Tammy Jernigan as the first crew members to enter the International Space Station on the fifth day of the flight and will be responsible for Zarya's systems during the docked phase of the flight. He will be joined by Julie Payette for the swapout of battery voltage regulators aboard Zarya and will be involved in moving logistical items from Discovery to the ISS during six days of docked operations.

Previous Space Flights:
Valery Ivanovich Tokarev (Colonel, Russian Air Force) Test Cosmonaut at the Yu.A. Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center In 1987, Valery Tokarev was selected to join the cosmonaut corps to fly the Buran spacecraft. Since 1994,he has served as commander of a group of cosmonauts of aerospace systems and, since 1997, as a test cosmonaut for the Yuri A. Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. SEPTEMBER 1998

Ascent Seating:   Mid Deck - Starboard
Entry Seating:     Mid Deck - Starboard

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Updated: 05/13/1999

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