George Nelson (astronaut)

George Nelson
Nelson in September 1984
Born
George Driver Nelson

(1950-07-13) July 13, 1950 (age 74)
Charles City, Iowa, U.S.
Other namesPinky
EducationHarvey Mudd College (BS)
University of Washington (MS, PhD)
Space career
NASA astronaut
Time in space
17d 2h 43m
SelectionNASA Group 8 (1978)
Total EVAs
2
Total EVA time
10h 6m[1]
MissionsSTS-41-C
STS-61-C
STS-26
Mission insignia
RetirementJune 30, 1989

George Driver "Pinky" Nelson (born July 13, 1950) is an American physicist, astronomer, science educator, and retired NASA astronaut.

Early life and education

Nelson was born on July 13, 1950, in Charles City, Iowa, but considers Willmar, Minnesota, to be his hometown. He graduated from Willmar Senior High School, Willmar, Minnesota, in 1968.[2] He received a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Harvey Mudd College in 1972, and a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy degrees in astronomy from the University of Washington in 1974 and 1978, respectively.[3]

Nelson was a Boy Scout and earned the rank of First Class Scout.[4]

His wife, Susie, is from Alhambra, California. They have two daughters, Aimee Tess (born April 25, 1972) and Marti Ann (born February 27, 1975). Pinky enjoys playing golf, reading, swimming, running, and music.[3]

Research

Nelson performed astronomical research at the Sacramento Peak Solar Observatory, Sunspot, New Mexico; the Astronomical Institute at Utrecht (Utrecht, Netherlands) and the University of Göttingen Observatory, (Göttingen, West Germany), and at the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (Boulder, Colorado). His last research was in systemic education reform and the preparation of science teachers.[3]

NASA career

George was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1978. He flew as a scientific equipment operator in the WB-57F earth resources aircraft and served as the Astronaut Office representative in the Space Shuttle Extravehicular Mobility Unit (space suit) development effort. During STS-1 he was the photographer in the prime chase plane. He also served as support crewman and CAPCOM for the last two OFT flights, STS-3 and STS-4, and as head of the Astronaut Office Mission Development Group. A veteran of three space flights, Nelson served aboard STS-41-C in 1984, STS-61C in 1986 and STS-26 in 1988. He has logged a total of 411 hours in space, including 10 hours of EVA flight time.[3]

Spaceflight experience

STS-41-C Challenger

Main article: STS-41-C
Nelson (2nd from right) with STS-41-C crewmates

This was a seven-day (April 6–13, 1984) mission during which the crew successfully deployed the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), retrieved the ailing Solar Maximum satellite, repaired it on board the Orbiter, and replaced it in orbit. The mission also included flight testing of Manned Maneuvering Units (MMUs) in two extravehicular activities (EVAs), and operation of the Cinema 360 and IMAX Camera Systems. Nelson performed EVAs in support of the satellite retrieval and the MMU testing.[5]

STS-61-C Columbia

Main article: STS-61-C

This mission, from January 12–18, 1986, launched from the Kennedy Space Center and returned to a night landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During the six-day flight, the crew deployed the SATCOM KU satellite and conducted experiments in astrophysics and materials processing.[6]

STS-26 Discovery

Main article: STS-26

This mission (September 29–October 3, 1988) was the first flown after the Challenger accident. During the four-day flight, the crew successfully deployed the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-C) and operated eleven mid-deck science experiments. The mission completed 64 orbits of the Earth and landed on October 3, 1988.[7]

Post-NASA career

Nelson left NASA in June 1989, became an assistant provost at the University of Washington,[8] and now directs the Science, Mathematics and Technology Education program at Western Washington University in Bellingham. He is also the principal investigator of the North Cascades and Olympic Science Partnership, a mathematics and science partnership grant from the National Science Foundation.[9] Nelson served as faculty on the Fall 2013 Semester at Sea voyage, where he taught introductory astronomy and celestial navigation.[10]

Honors

Astronauts Van Hoften and Nelson (right) during their EVA

NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, 3 NASA Space Flight Medals, AIAA Haley Space Flight Award, Fédération Aéronautique Internationale V. M. Komarov Diploma, Western Washington University Faculty Outstanding Service Award.[3] In 2009, Nelson was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.[11] He is also an elected member of Washington State Academy of Science[12] and an Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ Pinky Nelson's EVA experience
  2. ^ "Pinky Nelson returns to Willmar for Hall of Fame induction". WilmarRadio.com. September 24, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e "George D. (Nickname Pinky) Nelson (PH.D.), NASA Astronaut (Former)" (PDF). NASA. April 1989. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  4. ^ "George D. Nelson at scouting.org" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-22. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  5. ^ "STS-41C Challenger". Spacefacts.de. March 27, 2000. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  6. ^ "STS-61C Columbia". Spacefacts.de. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  7. ^ "STS-26 Discovery". Spacefacts.de. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  8. ^ Stricherz, Vince. UW grads are astronaut candidates. Archived 2008-02-21 at the Wayback Machine University Week, 9 July 1998.
  9. ^ "History of SMATE". Western Washington University. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  10. ^ "Fall 2013 Faculty and Staff". Semester at Sea Program. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  11. ^ U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at KSC Visitor Complex - Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Archived 2009-05-19 at the Wayback Machine, United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, retrieved 2009-05-04
  12. ^ "Western's George "Pinky" Nelson elected to Washington State Academy of Sciences". Western Washington University. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  13. ^ "AAAS Members Elected as Fellows". American Association for the Advancement of Science. November 30, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
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