Jan Davis

Jan Davis. Nancy Jan Davis is an American former NASA astronaut and engineer who flew on three Space Shuttle missions. A veteran of over 673 hours in space, her career at NASA spanned roles in engineering, management, and flight operations. Her missions contributed significantly to Spacelab science, international cooperation with Russia, and satellite deployment technology.

Early life and education

Born Nancy Jan Smotherman in Cocoa Beach, Florida, she grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, a city deeply connected to the U.S. space program through the Marshall Space Flight Center. She earned a Bachelor of Science in applied biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1975. Davis continued her education at Auburn University, receiving a Master of Science in mechanical engineering in 1977, and later completed a Doctor of Philosophy in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 1985.

NASA career

Prior to her selection as an astronaut, Davis worked as an engineer at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Her work focused on the Space Shuttle program, specifically analyzing the structural dynamics of the Space Shuttle main engine and the Hubble Space Telescope. Selected as an astronaut candidate with NASA Astronaut Group 12 in 1987, she completed rigorous training at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. She subsequently held several management positions, including leading the Astronaut Office's Mission Development Branch.

Spaceflight experience

Davis's first spaceflight was as a mission specialist on STS-47 in 1992, the 50th Space Shuttle mission. This flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour was dedicated to the Spacelab module, conducting a wide array of experiments in microgravity. Her second mission was on STS-60 in 1994 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, which featured the first Russian cosmonaut, Sergei Krikalev, to fly on an American spacecraft and carried the Wake Shield Facility. Her final flight was as a mission specialist on STS-85 in 1997 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, which deployed and retrieved the Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere satellite.

Post-NASA career and awards

After leaving NASA in 1999, Davis held executive positions in the aerospace industry, including vice president at Jacobs Engineering Group and president of AstroTek, Inc. She has served on the boards of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Her numerous honors include the NASA Space Flight Medal, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and induction into the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame. She has also been recognized by the National Space Club and the Society of Women Engineers.

Personal life

Davis is married to fellow NASA Astronaut Group 12 astronaut Mark C. Lee; they were the first married couple to fly together in space on STS-47. An avid pilot, she holds a commercial pilot's license. She remains active in STEM education outreach, frequently speaking about her experiences to inspire future generations in fields like engineering and space exploration.

Category:American astronauts Category:NASA astronauts Category:1953 births Category:People from Huntsville, Alabama