George D. Nelson
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| George D. Nelson | |
|---|---|
| Name | George D. Nelson |
| Caption | NASA portrait |
| Type | NASA Astronaut |
| Status | Retired |
| Nationality | American |
| Birth name | George Driver Nelson |
| Birth date | 13 July 1950 |
| Birth place | Charles City, Iowa, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Harvey Mudd College (B.S.), University of Washington (M.S., Ph.D.) |
| Occupation | Physicist |
| Selection | 1978 NASA Group |
| Time | 17d 02h 43m |
| Mission | STS-41-C, STS-61-C, STS-26 |
George D. Nelson is an American astrophysicist and former NASA astronaut who flew on three Space Shuttle missions during the 1980s. A member of the pioneering 1978 astronaut class, he was a mission specialist known for his work in satellite deployment and repair. His career included a historic untethered spacewalk and he later served in senior academic and administrative roles.
Early life and education
George Driver Nelson was born in Charles City, Iowa, and developed an early interest in science. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Harvey Mudd College in 1972. He then pursued graduate studies at the University of Washington, receiving a Master of Science in astronomy in 1974 and a Doctor of Philosophy in astronomy in 1978. His doctoral research focused on observational studies of solar physics and stellar atmospheres.
NASA career
Selected by NASA as part of Astronaut Group 8 in 1978, Nelson completed a rigorous training and evaluation period. This class, nicknamed "The Thirty-Five New Guys," included many future veterans of the Space Shuttle program. He qualified as a mission specialist, with responsibilities encompassing spacecraft systems, experiment coordination, and extravehicular activity. Prior to his first flight assignment, he supported various technical roles within the Astronaut Office at Johnson Space Center.
Spaceflights
Nelson's first mission was STS-41-C aboard Challenger in April 1984. The crew successfully deployed the Long Duration Exposure Facility and executed a complex satellite repair on the Solar Maximum Mission observatory. During this mission, Nelson performed an untethered spacewalk using the Manned Maneuvering Unit, becoming one of the first astronauts to test the device in flight.
His second flight was STS-61-C on Columbia in January 1986. The mission deployed the SATCOM KU-1 communications satellite and conducted numerous scientific experiments in microgravity. This flight occurred shortly before the Challenger disaster later that same month, which grounded the shuttle fleet for over two years.
Nelson returned to space on the STS-26 mission in September 1988, the triumphant "Return to Flight" mission after the Challenger accident. Flying aboard Discovery, the crew successfully deployed a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite and conducted a suite of scientific investigations, marking a critical milestone for NASA and the nation's space program.
Post-NASA career and legacy
After leaving NASA in 1989, Nelson transitioned to academia. He served as a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Washington and later as the director of the Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education program at Western Washington University. He also held the position of executive director of the American Institute of Physics, advocating for the physical sciences community. His legacy is that of a scientist-astronaut who contributed to key satellite servicing techniques and helped educate future generations in STEM fields.
Awards and honors
Throughout his career, Nelson received several prestigious recognitions. These include the NASA Space Flight Medal on three occasions, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and the American Astronautical Society's Flight Achievement Award. He was also inducted into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2009, cementing his place among the pioneers of American human spaceflight.
Category:American astronauts Category:NASA astronauts Category:1950 births Category:Living people Category:People from Charles City, Iowa Category:Harvey Mudd College alumni Category:University of Washington alumni Category:STS-41-C crew Category:STS-61-C crew Category:STS-26 crew