Doug Peterson
Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
(281/483-5111)
Release: J00-42
Canadian Astronauts Dafydd (Dave) Rhys Williams, and Julie Payette,
international members of NASAís astronaut corps, were honored last month
for their contributions to both the American and Canadian space
programs.
The Ninety-Nines, Inc., an international organization of women pilots
honored the two Canadian Space Agency astronauts for outstanding
contributions in promoting aviation and aerospace throughout the world.
The award was presented in June in Atchison, Kansas ñ the birthplace of
Amelia Earhart.
Williamsí and Payetteís names will now appear in the Forest of
Friendship. The Forest is home to trees representing all 50 states and
35 countries from around the world, and includes flags and plaques
honoring the men and women who have contributed significantly to
aviation and aerospace.
Williams joined NASA as a member of the 1995 class of astronauts,
reporting to the Johnson Space Center in March of that year. In 1998, he
was a crewmember on the STS-90 Neurolab mission focusing on the effects
of microgravity on the brain and nervous system and recognizing ìthe
decade of the brain.î The STS-90 mission completed 256 orbits of the
Earth, traveling 6.3 million miles. He currently leads JSCís Space &
Life Sciences Directorate which encompasses medical requirements and
benefits of spaceflight as well as planetary exploration missions.
Payette is a member of the 1996 astronaut class. She was a member of the
STS-96 crew that carried four tons of logistics and supplies to the
International Space Station in 1999 to prepare it for the first
Expedition crew, scheduled to arrive later this year. She is currently a
member of the Crew Test Support Team providing crew insight and support
to the development and testing of space station hardware and software in
Russia.
For additional information on Williams, Payette, or any NASA astronaut,
visit the astronaut biography home page at:
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/
