College Sees One of Its Own Go into Space

By Will Bigham

CLAREMONT – More than 65 students and faculty at Harvey Mudd College gathered Thursday to watch one of their own blast off into space.

Stan Love, a 1987 graduate of the college, is a mission specialist on the seven-member crew of the space shuttle Atlantis.

Atlantis took off from Cape Canaveral, Fla., shortly before noon Pacific time to deliver a new science lab to the international space station.

Students, faculty and even some of Love’s former colleagues watched a live big-screen projection of the shuttle launch in the college’s Galileo Hall.

"It’s a great thrill. There are a lot of people very excited for him," said Iris Critchell, who gave Love flight training when she was director of the school’s Bates Aeronautics Program.

"I’m very anxious for them to accomplish what they set out to do," Critchell added.

Atlantis’ mission was originally scheduled for December, but it was delayed because of technical issues. The mission was again threatened to be delayed Thursday because of a weather forecast that called for rain and clouds.

But the weather remained clear enough for the takeoff to go forward.

During the final countdown, some at Galileo Hall nervously held their hands to their faces.

When zero hit, and the shuttle shot skyward amid a rush of fuel exhaust, the crowd clapped and cheered in celebration.

"It’s inspiring," said Alex Hagen, a sophomore astrophysics major at the college may want to work for NASA one day.

"I’m tempted to apply for the mission specialist position. That’s what Stan Love is," Hagen said.

Love is the second "Mudder" – as students of this prestigious engineering school call each other – to serve as a member of a space shuttle crew.

George "Pinky" Nelson, a 1972 graduate, flew three shuttle missions during the 1980s.

Atlantis’ mission is scheduled to last 11 days.