NASA Finds Next Shuttle Astronauts Deep in the Heart of Texas
To: TECHNOLOGY EDITORS
Contact: John Yembrick of NASA Headquarters, Washington, +1-202- 358-0602, or James Hartsfield of Johnson Space Center, Houston, +1- 281-483-5111
HOUSTON, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Although all astronauts work in Texas, two flying on the next shuttle mission call it home. Jim Reilly, of Mesquite, and John “Danny” Olivas, of El Paso, will fly on space shuttle Atlantis’ upcoming mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis is scheduled to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on June 8 at 7:38 p.m. EDT.
Reilly and Olivas are two of seven Atlantis astronauts who will deliver and help install a new set of giant solar panels on the space station during the 11-day mission, designated STS-117. Reilly, making his third flight, will serve as the lead spacewalker, directing a team in space as they continue construction of the space station. Olivas, making his first spaceflight, will join his fellow Texan for two of the mission’s three spacewalks.
Raised in Mesquite, Texas, Reilly graduated from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas and received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Olivas’ Texas roots run deep. Raised in El Paso, where he attended Burges High School, he went on receive his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, his master’s degree from the University of Houston and his doctorate from Rice University in Houston.
Texas journalists interested in covering Atlantis’ STS-117 mission can read the latest information about the crew and flight, as well as learn background information and download high- resolution images at:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
Using space shuttles to finish construction of the International Space Station is a key step in America’s long-term exploration strategy, which includes plans to venture out beyond Earth orbit for purposes of human exploration and scientific discovery. The space station is a crucial test bed for those future exploration missions.
NASA Web sites will provide a schedule of mission highlights, news conferences and briefings. For NASA Television downlink, streaming video and scheduling information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
SOURCE NASA
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