NAME:  John E. Blaha (Colonel, USAF)
       NASA Astronaut
 
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE:  Born August 26, 1942, in San Antonio, Texas.  His mother,
Mrs. Frances E. Blaha, resides in San Antonio.  His father was the late Colonel
Elmer C. Blaha, USAF.
 
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:  Brown hair; brown eyes; 5 feet 9 inches; 175 pounds.
 
EDUCATION:  Graduated from Granby High School in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1960;
received a bachelor of science degree in engineering science from the United
States Air Force Academy in 1965; and a master of science degree in
astronautical engineering from Purdue University in 1966.
 
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to the former Brenda I. Walters of St. Louis,
Missouri.  Her mother, Mrs. Della Walters, resides in Phoenix, Arizona.  Her
father, Mr. Henderson Walters, is deceased.
 
CHILDREN:  James H., February 19, 1966; Steven A., December 6, 1969; and
Carolyn A., July 26, 1973.
 
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS:  He enjoys golf and tennis.
 
ORGANIZATIONS:  Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, the Air
Force Academy Association of Graduates, the Purdue Alumni Association, and the
Association of Space Explorers.
 
SPECIAL HONORS:  Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, 2 Air Force
Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 3
Meritorious Service Medals, 18 Air Medals, an Air Force Commendation Medal, the
British Air Force Cross, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Purdue Engineering
Astronaut Alumnus Award, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the NASA
Exceptional Service Award, 3 NASA Space Flight Medals, and the Countdown
Magazine Outstanding Astronaut of 1991.  Outstanding Pilot, F-4 Combat Crew
Training.  Outstanding Junior Officer of the Year, 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing.
Distinguished Graduate Air Force Test Pilot School. Distinguished Graduate Air
Command and Staff College.
 
EXPERIENCE:  Blaha received his pilot wings at Williams Air Force Base,
Arizona, in 1967.  He was subsequently assigned as an operational pilot flying
F-4, F-102, F-106 and A-37, aircraft (completing 361 combat missions in
Vietnam).
 
He attended the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base,
California, in 1971, and piloted the NF-104 research aircraft to 104,400 feet.
Following graduation, he served as an F-104 instructor pilot at the test pilot
 
school, teaching low lift-to-drag approach, zoom, performance,
stability/control, and spin flight test techniques.
 
In 1973, he was assigned as a test pilot working with the Royal Air Force at
the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down, United
Kingdom.  During his 3-year tour, he flew stability/control, performance, spin,
and weapons delivery flight tests in the Jaguar, Buccaneer, Hawk, and Jet
Provost aircraft.
 
He returned to the United States in 1976, to attend the USAF Air Command and
Staff College.  After graduation, he was assigned to work for the Assistant
Chief of Staff, Studies and Analyses, at Headquarters USAF in the Pentagon.
During this tour, he presented F-15 and F-16 study results to Department of
Defense, State Department, and congressional staffs.
 
He has logged 5,800 hours of flying time in 34 different aircraft.
 
He has written numerous technical articles on spacecraft performance and
control.
 
NASA EXPERIENCE:  Col. Blaha was selected as an astronaut in May 1980.  He was
assigned to the Space Shuttle ascent/entry development team, and led the
design, development, and integration of the Orbiter Head Up Display System.
 
In 1983 and 1984, Col. Blaha worked as an ascent, orbit, planning, and entry
Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) in the Mission Control Center for seven Shuttle
flights.  He was the lead CAPCOM for STS-41D and STS-41G missions.
 
In January 1985 he was assigned as the pilot of the STS-61H mission scheduled
to launch in June 1986.  Following the Challenger tragedy, he was assigned to
the Orbiter Project Office, and made significant contributions to many Space
Shuttle hardware modifications.  During this period he also led the development
of contingency abort procedures which significantly improve crew survivability
in the event of multiple main engine failures during ascent.
 
In February 1988, Colonel Blaha was assigned as the pilot of STS-29.  The 5-man
crew launched on the Space Shuttle Discovery on March 13, 1989, and landed at
Edwards Air Force Base on March 18, 1989.  During this very successful mission
the crew deployed a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, and performed eight
scientific/medical experiments.
 
Colonel Blaha also was the pilot on the crew of STS-33 which launched at night
from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on November 22, 1989, aboard the Space
Shuttle Discovery.  The five-day mission carried Department of Defense payloads
and other secondary payloads.  After 79 orbits of the earth, this highly
successful mission concluded on November 27, 1989, with a hard surface landing
on Runway 04 at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
 
More recently Colonel Blaha commanded the crew of STS-43 aboard the Orbiter
Atlantis.  The nine-day mission launched from the Kennedy Space Center,
Florida, on August 2, 1991.  During the flight crew members deployed the fifth
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-E), in addition to conducting 32
physical, material, and life science experiments, mostly relating to the
Extended Duration Orbiter and Space Station Freedom.  After 142 orbits of the
Earth, this very significant mission concluded with a landing on Runway 15 at
the Kennedy Space Center on August 11, 1991.
 
With the completion of his third mission, Colonel Blaha has logged a total of
over 453 hours in space.
 
In October 1991, Colonel Blaha was assigned as the Chairman, Space Flight
Safety Panel, and the Weather Coordinator, Mission Management Team.  He also
serves as a member of the NASA panel investigating the feasibility of
Orbiter-enhanced Space Station Freedom man-tended capability.
 
APRIL 1992