Retired NASA astronaut Mary Cleave, understood for her 2 spaceflights and management in NASAs Science Mission Directorate, has died at 76. Her notable accomplishments consist of the Magellan Venus objective and numerous NASA awards. (Official NASA portrait of astronaut Mary L. Cleave.) Credit: NASA
Mary Cleave, a pioneering NASA astronaut who started 2 spaceflights and later on ended up being the first lady to lead NASAs Science Mission Directorate, has actually passed away at 76. She made considerable contributions to area exploration, including the implementation of the Magellan Venus spacecraft, and received numerous awards for her service.
Retired NASA astronaut Mary Cleave, a veteran of two NASA spaceflights, passed away November 27. She was 76. A scientist with training in civil and ecological engineering, in addition to life sciences and microbial ecology, Cleave was the first woman to work as an associate administrator for NASAs Science Mission Directorate.
Born in Southampton, New York, Cleave got a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, in 1969, and Master of Science in microbial ecology and a doctorate in environmental and civil engineering, both from Utah State University, Logan, in 1975 and 1979, respectively.
” Im unfortunate weve lost trailblazer Dr. Mary Cleave, shuttle astronaut, veteran of two spaceflights, and very first lady to lead the Science Mission Directorate as associate administrator,” stated NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. “Mary was a force of nature with an enthusiasm for science, exploration, and caring for our home world. She will be missed.”
Former NASA astronaut Mary Cleave speaks during an astronaut panel conversation at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani).
Cleave was chosen as an astronaut in May 1980. Her technical projects consisted of flight software confirmation in the SAIL (Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory), spacecraft communicator on five area shuttle flights, and breakdowns procedures book and team equipment design.
Cleave launched on her very first mission, STS-61B, aboard area shuttle Atlantis on November 26, 1985. During the flight, the team released communications satellites, conducted two six-hour spacewalks to show spaceport station building techniques, ran the Continuous Flow Electrophoresis experiment for McDonnell Douglas and a Getaway Special container for Telesat and evaluated the Orbiter Experiments Digital Autopilot.
The crew assigned to the STS-61B mission consisted of (kneeling left to right) Bryan D. Oconner, pilot; and Brewster H. Shaw, leader. On the back row, delegated right, are Charles D. Walker, payload professional; objective specialists Jerry L. Ross, Mary L. Cleave, and Sherwood C. Spring; and Rodolpho Neri Vela, payload professional. Credit: NASA.
Cleaves 2nd mission, STS-30, which likewise was on Atlantis, released May 4, 1989. It was a four-day flight throughout which the crew successfully deployed the Magellan Venus exploration spacecraft, the very first planetary probe to be released from a space shuttle.
Cleave transferred from NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston to the agencys Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland in May 1991. There, she operated in the Laboratory for Hydrospheric Processes as the job supervisor for SeaWiFS (Sea-viewing, Wide-Field-of-view-Sensor), an ocean color sensing unit that monitored plant life globally.
Onboard were astronauts David M. Walker, Ronald J. Grabe, Norman E. Thagard, Mary L. Cleave, and Mark C. Lee. Credit: NASA.
In March 2000, she went to function as deputy partner administrator for innovative preparation in the Office of Earth Science at NASAs Headquarters in Washington. From August 2005 to February 2007, Cleave was the associate administrator for NASAs Science Mission Directorate where she guided a selection of research study and clinical exploration programs for planet Earth, area weather condition, the solar system, and deep space. She also managed a selection of grant-based research study programs and a varied constellation of spacecraft, from small, primary investigator-led objectives to large flagship missions.
Cleaves awards consisted of: 2 NASA Space Flight medals; 2 NASA Exceptional Service medals; an American Astronautical Society Flight Achievement Award; a NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal; and NASA Engineer of the Year.
Cleave retired from NASA in February 2007.
Retired NASA astronaut Mary Cleave, understood for her 2 spaceflights and management in NASAs Science Mission Directorate, has actually died at 76. Retired NASA astronaut Mary Cleave, a veteran of two NASA spaceflights, died November 27. A researcher with training in ecological and civil engineering, as well as biological sciences and microbial ecology, Cleave was the very first female to serve as an associate administrator for NASAs Science Mission Directorate.
” Im unfortunate weve lost trendsetter Dr. Mary Cleave, shuttle bus astronaut, veteran of two spaceflights, and first woman to lead the Science Mission Directorate as associate administrator,” said NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. From August 2005 to February 2007, Cleave was the associate administrator for NASAs Science Mission Directorate where she guided a selection of research study and scientific exploration programs for world Earth, space weather, the solar system, and the universe.
