Three astronauts have been named to complete the STS-109 crew
already in training for a mission that will feature five
spacewalks to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope system later
this year. Shuttle astronauts will install an advanced camera
for surveys, a device to mechanically cool science
instruments and install new high-power solar arrays.
Scott Altman, (Cmdr., USN), a two-time shuttle veteran, will
command the STS-109 mission. He will be joined on the flight
deck by pilot Duane Carey, (Lt. Col., USAF), making his first
space flight, and flight engineer Nancy Currie (Lt., USA,
Ph.D.). Currie has three previous space flights to her
credit.
They join the previously assigned crew members, payload
commander John Grunsfeld, James Newman, Richard Linnehan and
Michael Massimino.
STS-109 will mark Altman’s first flight as Commander, having
previously flown as pilot on STS-90 in 1998 and STS-106 in
2000. Currie, who brings extensive experience as flight
engineer and robotic arm operator, flew on STS-57 in 1993,
STS-70 in 1995, and STS-88 in 1998. A space rookie, Carey
was selected as an astronaut in 1996.
Grunsfeld has flown three times, STS-67 in 1995, STS-81 in
1997, and STS-103 in 1999 when he performed two spacewalks to
service the Hubble Space Telescope. Newman, veteran of three
space flights, STS-51 in 1993, STS-69 in 1995, and STS-88 in
1998, has conducted four previous spacewalks. Linnehan flew
on STS-78 in 1996 and STS-90 in 1998. Massimino is a member
of the 1996 astronaut class.
A complete list of all astronauts and their biographical data
can be found on the Internet at the following website:
