William Shepherd

Last updated

Bill Shepherd
William Shepherd.jpg
Born
William McMichael Shepherd

(1949-07-26) July 26, 1949 (age 75)
Education United States Naval Academy (BS)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Eng, MS)
Awards Congressional Space Medal of Honor
Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration"
Space career
NASA astronaut
Rank Captain, USN
Time in space
159d 7h 49min
Selection NASA Group 10 (1984)
Missions STS-27
STS-41
STS-52
Soyuz TM-31/STS-102 (Expedition 1)
Mission insignia
Sts-27-patch.png Sts-41-patch.png Sts-52-patch.png Soyuz TM-31 patch.png Expedition 1 insignia.svg STS-102 Patch.svg
RetirementAugust 14, 2002

William McMichael "Bill" Shepherd (born July 26, 1949), (Capt, USN, Ret.), is an American former Navy SEAL, aerospace, ocean, and mechanical engineer, and NASA astronaut, who served as commander of Expedition 1, [1] the first crew on the International Space Station. He is a recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. [2]

Contents

Education and training

Shepherd was born on July 26, 1949, to George R. Shepherd and Barbara Shepherd in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, but he considers Babylon, New York, his hometown. [1] He is married to Beth Stringham of Batavia, New York. [3] He graduated from Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona in 1967, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 1971. [4] He completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in 1972, then joined the United States Naval Special Warfare Command and qualified as a Navy SEAL. He served with the Navy's Underwater Demolition Team ELEVEN, SEAL Teams ONE and TWO, and Special Boat Unit TWENTY. He obtained an Engineer's degree in Ocean Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, both in 1978, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). [1] [4]

NASA career

When I was little I used to cut up two-by-fours and make little boats. I'm still in the boat-building business. It's just in orbit.

—William M. Shepherd. [5]

Shepherd during Soyuz winter survival training in March 1998 near Star City, Russia S98 04126.jpg
Shepherd during Soyuz winter survival training in March 1998 near Star City, Russia
William Shepherd on the ISS as Commander of Expedition 1 William Shepherd sts098-320-0017.jpg
William Shepherd on the ISS as Commander of Expedition 1

After Shepherd was selected for NASA Astronaut Group 10 in 1984, [6] rumors spread that he had answered a standard interview question about what he did best by saying, "kill people with knives" [7] but he later refused to confirm or deny the account, commenting "it's too good a story". [8] He was the first military non-aviator in astronaut training, following his unsuccessful application for NASA Astronaut Group 9 in 1980. [9] In 1986, Shepherd's Navy SEAL training proved unexpectedly useful to NASA as he helped to direct the underwater salvage operations of the Space Shuttle Challenger after its destruction. Shepherd then served as a mission specialist on three Space Shuttle flights: mission STS-27 in 1988, [10] mission STS-41 in 1990, [11] which deployed the Ulysses probe, and mission STS-52 in 1992. [12] He was the first member of NASA Astronaut Group 10 to fly a space mission.

From March 1993 to January 1996, he was assigned to the International Space Station Program, [4] serving as Program Manager and Deputy Program Manager. In November 1995 he was selected to command the first crew of the International Space Station (ISS). The mission was supposed to launch in 1997, [13] but a long series of political, financial, and technical problems caused significant delays. Although sixteen nations would participate in the ISS program, Russia, along with the United States would bear the majority of the station's costs. [5]

Spaceflight experience

STS-27: Atlantis (December 2–6, 1988) Shepherd served with his crewmates on a mission that lasted 105 hours and carried Department of Defense payloads. The mission is noteworthy due to the severe damage Atlantis sustained to its critical heat-resistant tiles during ascent. [14] [15] [10]

STS-41: Discovery (October 6–10, 1990) during 66 orbits of the Earth, the crew aboard the Orbiter successfully deployed the Ulysses , starting it on a four-year journey (via Jupiter) to investigate the polar regions of the Sun. [11] [16]

STS-52: Columbia (October 22 to November 1, 1992) was the 10-day mission deployed the Laser Geodynamic Satellite (LAGEOS), and conducted U.S. microgravity payload experiments. [17] [12]

Expedition 1: From October 31, 2000, [18] to March 21, 2001, [19] he and Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergey Krikalev launched from Baikonur on Soyuz TM 31 and served as Expedition 1, the first crew on board ISS. The crew returned to Earth on the Space Shuttle Discovery, STS 102. [19]

Shepherd has logged over 159 days in space. [1]

Post-NASA career

Shepherd was next assigned to the staff of Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, [5] to assist with the development of new capabilities and programs for the Navy's SEAL and Special Boat units. He retired from the U.S. Navy in January 2002. [5] CAPT Shepherd also served as U.S. Special Operations Command's first Science Advisor from 2008–2011. [20]

Organizations

Awards and honors

Shepherd, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak after Shepherd was awarded the Russian Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration", December 2, 2016 William Shepherd Awarded Russian Medal for Merit in Space Exploration.jpg
Shepherd, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak after Shepherd was awarded the Russian Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration", December 2, 2016

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Akers</span> American astronaut (born 1951)

Thomas Dale Akers is a former American astronaut in NASA's Space Shuttle program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Bowersox</span> American astronaut (born 1956)

Kenneth Dwane "Sox" Bowersox is a United States Navy officer, and a former NASA astronaut. He is a veteran of five Space Shuttle launches and an extended stay aboard the International Space Station. When he launched on STS-73 at the age of 38 years and 11 months, he became the youngest person to command a Space Shuttle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Wetherbee</span> American astronaut, aviator and engineer (born 1952)

James Donald "Wxb" Wetherbee, is a retired United States Navy officer and aviator, test pilot, aerospace engineer, and NASA astronaut. He is a veteran of six Space Shuttle missions and is the only American to have commanded five spaceflight missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth Cockrell</span> American astronaut and engineer (born 1950)

Kenneth Dale "Taco" Cockrell is a retired American astronaut, engineer and a veteran of five Space Shuttle missions. He served as Chief of the Astronaut Office from 1997 to 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtis Brown</span> American astronaut (born 1956)

Curtis Lee "Curt" Brown Jr. is a former NASA astronaut and retired United States Air Force colonel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew M. Allen</span> American astronaut (born 1955)

Andrew Michael "Andy" Allen is a retired American astronaut. A former Marine aviator and lieutenant colonel, he worked as a test pilot before joining NASA in 1987. He flew three Space Shuttle missions before retiring in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael A. Baker</span> American astronaut (born 1953)

Michael Allen Baker is a retired captain in the United States Navy, former NASA astronaut, and the International Space Station Program Manager for International and Crew Operations, at NASA's Johnson Space Center. He is responsible for the coordination of program operations, integration and flight crew training and support activities with the International Partners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert D. Cabana</span> American astronaut (born 1949)

Robert Donald Cabana is a former Associate Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and retired NASA astronaut, having flown on four Space Shuttle flights. He served as Chief of the Astronaut Office from 1994 to 1997 and as director of the John F. Kennedy Space Center from 2008 to 2021. He is also a former naval flight officer and naval aviator in the United States Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Duffy (astronaut)</span> American astronaut and Air Force colonel (born 1953)

Brian Duffy is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and a former NASA astronaut. He flew aboard four Space Shuttle missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linda M. Godwin</span> American astronaut (born 1952)

Linda Maxine Godwin is an American scientist and retired NASA astronaut. Godwin joined NASA in 1980 and became an astronaut in July 1986. She retired in 2010. During her career, Godwin completed four space flights and logged over 38 days in space. Godwin also served as the assistant to the director for exploration, Flight Crew Operations Directorate at the Johnson Space Center. Since retiring from NASA, she accepted the position of professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gregory J. Harbaugh</span> American astronaut and engineer (born 1956)

Gregory Jordan "Greg" Harbaugh is an aeronautical/astronautical engineer and former NASA astronaut. He flew on four space shuttle missions as a mission specialist with responsibilities that included Remote Manipulator System (RMS) operation and Extravehicular Activity (EVAs). He performed three spacewalks during the shuttle missions including in support of repair/refurbishment of the Hubble Space Telescope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terence T. Henricks</span> American astronaut (born 1952)

Terence Thomas "Tom" Henricks is a retired colonel in the United States Air Force and a former NASA astronaut. He served on four Space Shuttle missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brent W. Jett Jr.</span> American astronaut, aviator and engineer (born 1958)

Brent Ward Jett Jr., , is a retired American naval officer and aviator, test pilot, aerospace and aeronautical engineer, and NASA astronaut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald R. McMonagle</span> American astronaut (born 1952)

Donald Ray McMonagle is a former astronaut and a veteran of three shuttle flights. He became the Manager, Launch Integration, at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on August 15, 1997. In this capacity he was responsible for final shuttle preparation, launch execution, and return of the orbiter to KSC following landings at any other location. He was chair of the Mission Management Team, and was the final authority for launch decision.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen S. Oswald</span> American astronaut (born 1951)

Stephen Scot Oswald is an American former pilot and NASA astronaut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James S. Voss</span> American astronaut and US Army colonel (born 1949)

James Shelton Voss is a retired United States Army colonel and NASA astronaut. During his time with NASA, Voss flew in space five times on board the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. He also served as deputy of Flight Operations for the Space Station Program Mission Integration and Operations Office. While participating in ISS Expedition 2, he and Susan Helms conducted an 8-hour and 56 minute spacewalk, the longest to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Ellen Weber</span> American astronaut (born 1962)

Mary Ellen Weber is an American executive, scientist, aviator, and a former NASA astronaut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASA Astronaut Group 13</span>

NASA Astronaut Group 13 was a group of 23 astronauts announced by NASA on 17 January 1990. The group name came from its selection of a black cat as a mascot, to play against the traditional unlucky connotations of the number 13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASA Astronaut Group 16</span> 1996 human spaceflight selection of 44 candidates; "The Sardines"

NASA Astronaut Group 16 was a group of 44 astronauts announced by NASA on May 1, 1996. The class was nicknamed "The Sardines" for being such a large class, humorously implying that their training sessions would be as tightly packed as sardines in a can. These 44 candidates compose the largest astronaut class to date. NASA selected so many candidates in preparation for the anticipated need for ISS crew members, along with regular shuttle needs. Nine of the 44 astronauts selected were from other countries including 5 from Europe and 2 from Canada and Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASA Astronaut Group 12</span> Group of astronauts selected in 1987

NASA Astronaut Group 12 was a group of 15 astronauts announced by NASA on June 5, 1987.

References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration .

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (January 2002). "William M. Shepherd" (PDF). Biographical Data. Houston, Texas: NASA. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Mahone, Glenn; Jacobs, Bob (July 23, 2004). "S04-238: Challenger Crew Honored With Congressional Space Medal Of Honor". NASA News. Washington, D.C.: NASA. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  3. Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (February 2004). "Beth Ann Stringham Shepherd" (PDF). Biographical Data. NASA. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 Garber, Stephen J.; Launius, Roger (May 8, 2001). "Looking Backward, Looking Forward: Forty Years of US Human Spaceflight Symposium" (PDF). NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server. NASA. p. 228. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Capt. William Shepherd: First Commander of the International Space Station". Hall of Fame. Alamogordo, New Mexico: New Mexico Museum of Space History. 2004. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  6. Lawrence, John (May 23, 1984). "84-028: NASA Select 17 Astronaut Candidates" (PDF). NASA News. Houston, Texas: NASA. p. 66. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  7. Kelly, Scott; Dean, Margaret Lazarus (2017). Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery. London: Transworld Publishing. p. 186. ISBN   9781473543195.
  8. Leary, Warren E. (November 3, 2000). "Men in the News; The Crew of the International Space Station". New York Times . Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021. It's just too good a story to deny,
  9. Kauderer, Amiko (October 28, 2010). "Preflight Interview: William Shepherd". International Space Station. NASA. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  10. 1 2 Ryba, Jeanne (November 23, 2007). "STS-27". Mission Archives. NASA. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  11. 1 2 Ryba, Jeanne (February 18, 2010). "STS-41". Mission Archives. NASA. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  12. 1 2 Ryba, Jeanne (March 31, 2010). "STS-52". Mission Archives. NASA. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  13. Dempsey, Robert (April 13, 2018). "The International Space Station: Operating an Outpost in the New Frontier" (PDF). NASA. p. xiv. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  14. Jasper, G. L.; Johnson, D. L.; Batts, G. W. (July 1989). "Atmospheric environment for Space Shuttle (STS-27) launch" (PDF). NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server. NASA. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  15. Riley, Jack (September 15, 1987). "87-043: STS-27 Crew Named" (PDF). NASA News. Houston, Texas: NASA. p. 101. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  16. Camp, David W.; Germany, D. M.; Nicholson, Leonard S. (November 1990). "STS-41: Space Shuttle Mission Report" (PDF). NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server. NASA. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  17. Fricke, Robert W. Jr. (December 1992). "STS-52: Space Shuttle Mission Report" (PDF). NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server. NASA. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  18. Petty, John Ira (October 31, 2000). "International Space Station Status Report #00-43". Johnson News. Houston, Texas: NASA. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  19. 1 2 Petty, John Ira (March 21, 2001). "STS-102 Mission Control Center Status Report # 27". Johnson News. Houston, Texas: NASA. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  20. "CAPT William M. Shepherd". Advisory Board. Systems Engineering Research Center. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  21. "X-Prize group founder to speak at induction". El Paso Times . Alamogordo, New Mexico: Gannett. Alamogordo Daily News. October 17, 2004. p. 59. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  22. "William Shepherd". Astronanaut Hall of Fame. Orlando, Florida: Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. May 2, 2009. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  23. "William M. Shepherd". ihmc.us. Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  24. "Keynote Speakers". cser.info. Conference on Systems Engineering Research. 2019. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  25. "CAPT. William M. Shepherd, USN". Symposium 365 Speakers. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Space Foundation. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  26. "Spirit of St. Louis Medal". ASME.org. New York City: American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  27. "Past Goddard Trophy Winners". spaceclub.org. Washington, D.C.: National Space Club. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  28. Kowsky, Joel (December 2, 2016). "Former Astronaut William Shepherd Awarded Russian Medal for Merit in Space Exploration". Flickr . NASA. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  29. Kauderer, Amiko (May 13, 2010). "NASA's International Space Station Program Wins Collier Trophy". International Space Station. NASA. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.