Retired NASA astronaut Mary Cleave, a veteran of two NASA spaceflights, died Nov. 27. She was 76. A scientist with coaching in civil and environmental engineering, in addition to organic sciences and microbial ecology, Cleave was the primary lady to function an affiliate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
Born in Southampton, New York, Cleave acquired a Bachelor of Science diploma in organic sciences from Colorado State College, Fort Collins, in 1969, and Grasp of Science in microbial ecology and a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering, each from Utah State College, Logan, in 1975 and 1979, respectively.
“I’m unhappy we’ve misplaced path blazer Dr. Mary Cleave, shuttle astronaut, veteran of two spaceflights, and first lady to steer the Science Mission Directorate as affiliate administrator,” stated NASA Affiliate Administrator Bob Cabana. “Mary was a drive of nature with a ardour for science, exploration, and caring for our residence planet. She shall be missed.”
Cleave was chosen as an astronaut in Could 1980. Her technical assignments included flight software program verification within the SAIL (Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory), spacecraft communicator on 5 house shuttle flights, and malfunctions procedures guide and crew tools design.
Cleave launched on her first mission, STS-61B, aboard house shuttle Atlantis on Nov. 26,1985. Throughout the flight, the crew deployed communications satellites, performed two six-hour spacewalks to reveal house station development strategies, operated the Steady Circulate Electrophoresis experiment for McDonnell Douglas and a Getaway Particular container for Telesat and examined the Orbiter Experiments Digital Autopilot.
Cleave’s second mission, STS-30, which additionally was on Atlantis, launched Could 4, 1989. It was a four-day flight throughout which the crew efficiently deployed the Magellan Venus exploration spacecraft, the primary planetary probe to be deployed from an area shuttle. Magellan arrived at Venus in August 1990 and mapped greater than 95% of the floor. As well as, the crew additionally labored on secondary payloads involving indium crystal progress, electrical storms, and Earth statement research.
Cleave transferred from NASA’s Johnson Area Middle in Houston to the company’s Goddard Area Flight Middle in Greenbelt, Maryland in Could 1991. There, she labored within the Laboratory for Hydrospheric Processes because the venture supervisor for SeaWiFS (Sea-viewing, Large-Area-of-view-Sensor), an ocean shade sensor which monitored vegetation globally.
In March 2000, she went to function deputy affiliate administrator for superior planning within the Workplace of Earth Science at NASA’s Headquarters in Washington. From August 2005 to February 2007, Cleave was the affiliate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate the place she guided an array of analysis and scientific exploration packages for planet Earth, house climate, the photo voltaic system, and the universe. She additionally oversaw an assortment of grant-based analysis packages and a various constellation of spacecraft, from small, principal investigator-led missions to massive flagship missions.
Cleave’s awards included: two NASA Area Flight medals; two NASA Distinctive Service medals; an American Astronautical Society Flight Achievement Award; a NASA Distinctive Achievement Medal; and NASA Engineer of the Yr.
Cleave retired from NASA in February 2007.
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Cheryl Warner
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
cheryl.m.warner@nasa.gov
Courtney Beasley
Johnson Area Middle, Houston
281-483-5111
courtney.m.beasley@nasa.gov
