- John M. Grunsfeld
Infobox Astronaut
name =John Mace Grunsfeld.
type =NASA Astronaut
status =Active
nationality =American
date_birth =October 10 ,1958
place_birth =Chicago, Illinois
occupation =Physicist
selection =1992 NASA Group
time =45d 17h 25m
mission =STS-67 ,STS-81 ,STS-103 ,STS-109 ,STS-125
insignia =|John Mace Grunsfeld (Ph.D.) (born
October 10 ,1958 ) is an Americanphysicist and aNASA astronaut . He is a veteran of four spaceflights and has also served asNASA Chief Scientist .Personal
Born in
Chicago, Illinois . Married to the former Carol E. Schiff. They have two children. John enjoys mountaineering, flying, sailing, bicycling, and music. His father, Ernest A. Grunsfeld III, resides inHighland Park, Illinois .Education
Graduated from Highland Park High School, Highland Park, Illinois, in 1976; received a
bachelor of science degree in physics from theMassachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980; amaster of science degree and a doctor of philosophy degree in physics from theUniversity of Chicago in 1984 and 1988, respectively.Organizations
*
American Astronomical Society
*American Alpine Club
*Experimental Aircraft Association
*Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association .Awards and honors
*W.D. Grainger Fellow in Experimental Physics, 1988-89
*NASA Graduate Student Research Fellow, 1985-87
*NASA Space Flight Medal s (1995, 1997, 1999, 2002)
*NASA Exceptional Service Medal s (1997, 1998, 2000)
*NASA Distinguished Service Medal (2002)
*Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Chicago
*Alumni Service Award, University of Chicago
*Komarov Diploma (1995)
*Korolov Diploma (1999, 2002)cience career
Grunsfeld’s academic positions include that of Visiting Scientist,
University of Tokyo /Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (1980-81); Graduate Research Assistant, University of Chicago (1981-85); NASA Graduate Student Fellow, University of Chicago (1985-87); W.D. Grainger Postdoctoral Fellow in Experimental Physics,University of Chicago (1988-89); and Senior Research Fellow,California Institute of Technology (1989-92). Grunsfeld’s research has coveredx-ray andgamma-ray astronomy , high-energycosmic ray studies, and development of new detectors and instrumentation. Grunsfeld studied binarypulsar s and energetic x-ray and gamma ray sources using the NASACompton Gamma Ray Observatory , x-ray astronomy satellites,radio telescope s, and opticaltelescope s including the NASAHubble Space Telescope .NASA career
Grunsfeld was selected by NASA in March 1992 as an astronaut candidate and reported to the
Johnson Space Center in August 1992. He completed one year of training and qualified for flight selection as a mission specialist. Grunsfeld was initially detailed to the Astronaut Office Mission Development Branch and was assigned as the lead for portable computers for use in space. Following his first flight, he led a team of engineers and computer programmers tasked with defining and producing the crew displays for command and control of the International Space Station (ISS). As part of this activity he directed an effort combining the resources of the Mission Control Center (MCC) Display Team and the Space Station Training Facility. The result was the creation of the Common Display Development Facility (CDDF), responsible for the onboard and MCC displays for theInternational Space Station , usingobject-oriented programming techniques. Following his second flight, he was assigned as Chief of the Computer Support Branch in the Astronaut Office supportingSpace Shuttle and International Space Station Programs and advanced technology development. Following STS-103, he served as Chief of the Extravehicular Activity Branch in the Astronaut Office. FollowingSTS-109 , Grunsfeld served as an instructor in the Extravehicular Activity Branch, and worked on the Orbital Space Plane, exploration concepts, and technologies for use beyond low earth orbit in the Advanced Programs Branch. He served asNASA Chief Scientist assigned to NASA Headquarters from 2003 to 2004.paceflight experience
STS-67 /Astro-2 Endeavour (March 2-18,1995) was launched fromKennedy Space Center ,Florida , and returned to land atEdwards Air Force Base ,California . It was the second flight of the Astro observatory, a unique complement of three ultra-violet 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.STS-81 Atlantis (January 12-22, 1997) was a 10-day mission, the fifth to dock withRussia ’sMir space station, and the second to exchange U.S. astronauts. The mission also carried the Spacehab double module providing additional middeck locker space for secondary experiments. In five days of docked operations more than three tons of food, water, experiment equipment and samples were moved back and forth between the two spacecraft. Grunsfeld served as the flight engineer on this flight. Following 160 orbits of the Earth the STS-81 mission concluded with a landing on Kennedy Space Center’s Runway 33 ending a 3.9 million mile journey. Mission duration was 244 hours, 56 minutes. During this flight, Grunsfeld placed a phonecall toNPR 's auto-repair radio show,Car Talk .STS-103 Discovery (December 19-27, 1999) was an eight-day mission during which the crew successfully installed newgyroscope s and scientific instruments and upgraded systems on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Enhancing HST scientific capabilities required three space walks (EVA). Grunsfeld performed two space walks totaling 16 hours and 23 minutes. The STS-103 mission was accomplished in 120 Earth orbits, traveling 3.2 million miles in 191 hours and 11 minutes.STS-109 Columbia (March 1-12, 2002) was the fourth Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing mission. The crew of STS-109 successfully upgraded the Hubble Space Telescope installing a newdigital camera , a cooling system for theinfrared camera , new solar arrays and a new power system. HST servicing and upgrades were accomplished by four crewmembers during a total of five EVAs in five consecutive days. Grunsfeld served as the Payload Commander on STS-109 in charge of the space walking activities and the Hubble payload. He also performed three space walks totaling 21 hours and 9 minutes, including the installation of the new Power Control Unit. STS-109 orbited the Earth 165 times, and covered 3.9 million miles in over 262 hours.He is scheduled to fly on
STS-125 , the final Hubble servicing mission.Grunsfeld has logged over 45 days in space, including five space walks totaling 37 hours and 32 minutes.
External links
* [http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/grunsfeld_john.htm Spacefacts biography of John M. Grunsfeld]
* [http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/grunsfel.html NASA bio of Grunsfeld]
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