Mark Hess Headquarters, Washington, D.C. January 17, 1990 (Phone: 202/453-4164) 3:00 p.m. EST Jeffrey Carr Johnson Space Center, Houston (Phone: 713/483-5111) RELEASE: 90-7 1990 ASTRONAUT CANDIDATES SELECTED In the first of what will become standard biennial selections, 23 new astronaut candidates have been named for the Space Shuttle program. The candidates were chosen from among 1,945 qualified applicants, 106 of whom received interviews and medical examinations between September and November 1989. They will report to the Johnson Space Center, Houston, in July to begin a year of training and evaluation, after which they will receive technical assignments leading to selection for Shuttle flight crews. The 1990 group consists of 7 pilot candidates and 16 mission specialist candidates, including 11 civilians and 12 military officers. Among the 5 women selected are 3 military officers, including the first woman to be named as a pilot candidate, and the first Hispanic woman to be chosen. A listing of the candidates and biographical data follows. A listing of the candidates and their birthplaces follow. A listing of the candidates and short biographical sketches are available from all NASA newsrooms. -more- -2- 1990 ASTRONAUT CANDIDATES Lcdr. Daniel W. Bursch U.S. Navy Mission Specialist Bristol, Pa. Dr. Leroy Chiao Civilian Mission Specialist Milwaukee, Wisc. Maj. Michael R.U. Clifford U.S. Army Mission Specialist Norton AFB, Calif. Kenneth D. Cockrell Civilian Pilot Austin, Texas Maj. Eileen M. Collins U.S. Air Force Pilot Elmira, N.Y. Capt. William G. Gregory U.S. Air Force Pilot Lockport, N.Y. Maj. James D. Halsell, Jr. U.S. Air Force Pilot Monroe, La. Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. Civilian Mission Specialist Temple, Texas Capt. Susan J. Helms U.S. Air Force Mission Specialist Charlotte, N.C. Dr. Thomas D. Jones Civilian Mission Specialist Baltimore, Md. Maj. Wm. S. McArthur, Jr. U.S. Army Mission Specialist Laurinburg, N.C. Dr. James H. Newman Civilian Mission Specialist Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Dr. Ellen Ochoa Civilian Mission Specialist Los Angeles, Calif. Maj. Charles J. Precourt U.S. Air Force Pilot Waltham, Mass. Capt. Richard A. Searfoss U.S. Air Force Pilot Mount Clemens, Mich. Dr. Ronald M. Sega Civilian Mission Specialist Cleveland, Ohio -more- -3- Capt. Nancy J. Sherlock U.S. Army Mission Specialist Wilmington, Del. Dr. Donald A. Thomas Civilian Mission Specialist Cleveland, Ohio Dr. Janice E. Voss Civilian Mission Specialist South Bend, Ind. Capt. Carl E. Walz U.S. Air Force Mission Specialist Cleveland, Ohio Maj. Terrence W. Wilcutt U.S. Marine Corps Pilot Russellville, Ky. Dr. Peter J. K. Wisoff Civilian Mission Specialist Norfolk, Va. Dr. David A. Wolf Civilian Mission Specialist Indianapolis, Ind. -end- BIOGRAPHICAL DATA 1990 ASTRONAUT CENDIDATE CLASS NAME: Daniel W. Bursch, Lt. Cmdr., USN, Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: July 25, 1957 - Bristol, Penn. RESIDENCE: Pacific Grove, Calif. EDUCATION: Vestal Senior High School, Vestal, N.Y. BS, Physics, US Naval Academy, 1979 CURRENT POSITION: Student, US Naval Postgraduate School PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. Donald D. Bursch, Charlotte, N.C. MARITAL STATUS: Single. One child. .................................................................. NAME: Leroy Chiao, Ph.D., Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: August 28, 1960 - Milwaukee, Wis. RESIDENCE: Danville, Calif. EDUCATION: Monte Vista High School, Danville, Calif. BS, Chemical Engineering, Univ. of California, Berkeley, 1983 MS, Chemical Engineering, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara, 1985 Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara, 1987 CURRENT POSITION: Research Engineer, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, Calif. PARENTS: Mr. and Mrs. Tsu Tao Chiao, Fairfield, Calif. MARITAL STATUS: Single .................................................................. NAME: Michael R. U. Clifford, Major, USA, Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: October 13, 1952 - Norton AFB, Calif. RESIDENCE: Seabrook, Texas EDUCATION: Ben Lomond High School, Ogden, Utah BS, Basic Science, US Military Academy, 1974 MS, Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Tech., 1982 CURRENT POSITION: Vehicle Integration Test Engineer Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas PARENTS: John M. Uram, Deceased Lenore C. Clifford, Ogden, Utah MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Nancy Elizabeth Brunson. .................................................................. -more- -2- NAME: Kenneth D. Cockrell, Pilot BIRTHPLACE/DATE: April, 9, 1950 - Austin, Texas RESIDENCE: Houston, Texas EDUCATION: Rockdale High School, Rockdale, Texas BS, Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Texas, 1972 MS, Aero Systems, Univ. of Florida, 1974 U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Md. CURRENT POSITION: Aerospace Engineer & Research Pilot NASA/Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. Buford D. Cockrell, Westminister, S.C. MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Joan Denise Raines. ...................................................................... NAME: Eileen M. Collins, Major, USAF, Pilot BIRTHPLACE/DATE: November 19, 1956 - Elmira, N.Y. RESIDENCE: Edwards, Calif. EDUCATION: Elmira Free Academy, Elmira, N.Y. BA, Math, Syracuse Univ., 1978 MS, Operations Research, Stanford Univ., 1986 MA, Space Systems Management, Webster Univ., 1989 CURRENT POSITION: Student USAF Test Pilot School Edwards AFB, Calif. PARENTS: James E. Collins, Elmira, N.Y. Rose Marie Collins, Elmira, N.Y. MARITAL STATUS: Married to James P. Youngs .................................................................... NAME: William G. Gregory, Captain, USAF, Pilot BIRTHPLACE/DATE: May 14, 1957 - Lockport, N.Y. RESIDENCE: Edwards, Calif. EDUCATION: Lockport Senior High School, Lockport, N.Y. BS, Engineering Science, USAF Academy, 1979 MS, Engineering Mechanics, Columbia Univ., 1980 MS, Management, Troy State, 1984 CURRENT POSITION: Test Pilot Edwards AFB, Calif. PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. William Gregory, Gilbert, Ariz. MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Mary Elizabeth Harney. .................................................................... -more- -3- NAME: James D. Halsell, Jr., Major, USAF, Pilot BIRTHPLACE/DATE: September 29, 1956 - Monroe, La. RESIDENCE: Edwards AFB, Calif. EDUCATION: West Monroe High School, West Monroe, La. BS, Engineering, USAF Academy, 1978 MS, Management, Troy State, 1983 MS, Space Operations, AF Institute of Technology, 1985 CURRENT POSITION: F-16 & SR-71 Test Pilot Edwards AFB, Calif. PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. James D. Halsell, West Monroe, La. MARITAL STATUS: Single ..................................................................... NAME: Bernard A. Harris, Jr., M.D., Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: June 26, 1956 - Temple, Texas RESIDENCE: Houston, Texas EDUCATION: San Antonio High School, San Antonio, Texas BS, Biology, Univ. of Houston, 1978 MD, Texas Tech Univ., 1982 CURRENT POSITION: Medical Officer NASA/Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas PARENTS: Bernard A. Harris, Sr., Philadelphia, Penn. Gussie H. Burgess, San Antonio, Texas MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Sandra Faye Lewis. ................................................................... NAME: Susan J. Helms, Captain, USAF, Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: February 26, 1958, Charlotte, N.C. RESIDENCE: Alberta, Canada EDUCATION: Parkrose Senior High School, Portland, Ore. BS, Aerospace Engineering, USAF Academy, 1980 MS, Aeronautics/Astronautics, Stanford Univ., 1985 CURRENT POSITION: Flight Test Engineer Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment Alberta, Canada PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. Patrick G. Helms, Albuquerque, N.M. MARITAL STATUS: Single -more- -4- NAME: Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D., Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: January 22, 1955 - Baltimore, Md. RESIDENCE: Fairfax, Va. EDUCATION: Kenwood Senior High School, Baltimore, Md. BS, Basic Sciences, USAF Academy, 1977 Ph.D.., Planetary Science, Univ. of Arizona, 1988 CURRENT POSITION: Scientist CIA, Office of Research & Development Washington, DC PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. David Jones, Essex, Maryland MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Elizabeth Lynn Fulton. ..................................................................... NAME: William S. McArthur, Jr., Major, USA, Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: July 26, 1951 - Laurinburg, N.C. RESIDENCE: Houston, Texas EDUCATION: Red Springs High School, Red Springs, N. Car. BS, Applied Sci. & Engr., US Military Academy, 1973 MS, Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Tech, 1983 CURRENT POSITION: Vehicle Integration Test Engineer Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas PARENTS: William S. McArthur, Deceased Edith P. Avant, Wakulla, N. Car. MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Cynthia Kathryn Lovin. ...................................................................... NAME: James H. Newman, Ph.D., Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: October 16, 1956 - Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands RESIDENCE: Houston, Texas EDUCATION: La Jolla High School, La Jolla, Calif. BA, Physics, Dartmouth College, 1978 MA, Physics, Rice Univ., 1982 MS, Physics, Rice Univ., 1984 CURRENT POSITION: Simulation Supervisor NASA/Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas PARENTS: William A. Newman, La Jolla, Calif. Ruth A. Newman, La Jolla, California MARITAL STATUS: Single ...................................................................... -more- -5- NAME: Ellen Ochoa, Ph.D., Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: May 10, 1958 - Los Angeles, Calif. RESIDENCE: Los Altos, Calif. EDUCATION: Grossmont High School, La Mesa, Calif. BS, Physics, San Diego State, 1980 MS, Electrical Engineering, Stanford Univ., 1981 Ph.D.., Electrical Engineering, Stanford Univ., 1985 CURRENT POSITION: Optical Physicist NASA/Ames Research Center Moffett Field, Calif. PARENTS: Joseph L. Ochoa and Rosanne Ochoa, La Mesa, Calif. MARITAL STATUS: Single .................................................................... NAME: Charles J. Precourt, Major, USAF, Pilot BIRTHPLACE/DATE: June 29, 1955 - Waltham, Mass. RESIDENCE: Middletown, R.I. EDUCATION: Hudson High School, Hudson, Mass. BS, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, 1977 MS, Management, Golden Gate U., 1988 CURRENT POSITION: Student Naval War College of Command and Staff Newport, R.I. PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Precourt, Hudson, Mass. MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Lynne Denise Mungle ................................................................... NAME: Richard A. Searfoss, Major, USAF, Pilot BIRTHPLACE/DATE: June 6, 1956 - Mount Clemens, Mich. RESIDENCE: Lancaster, Calif. EDUCATION: Portsmouth Senior High School, Portsmouth, N.H. BS, Aerospace Engineering, USAF Academy, 1978 MS, Aerospace Engineering, Caltech, 1979 CURRENT POSITION: Instructor/Deputy Chief-Flying Qualities USAF Test Pilot School Edwards AFB, Calif. PARENTS: Stanley G. Searfoss, Lakeland, Fla. Mary K. Searfoss, Deceased MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Julie McGuire ................................................................... -more- -6- NAME: Ronald M. Sega, Ph.D., Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: December 4, 1952 - Cleveland, Ohio RESIDENCE: Seabrook, Texas EDUCATION: Nordonia High School, Macedonia, Ohio BS, Physics/Math, USAF Academy, 1974 MS, Physics, Ohio State, 1975 Ph.D.., Electrical Engineering, Univ. of Colorado, 1982 CURRENT POSITION: Asst. Director for Flight Programs/Professor Univ. of Houston-Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center Houston, Texas PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. John R. Sega, Arvada, Colo. MARITAL STATUS: Married to Bonnie J. Dunbar ...................................................................... NAME: Nancy J. Sherlock, Captain, USA, Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: December 29, 1958 - Wilmington, Del. RESIDENCE: Houston, Texas EDUCATION: Troy High School, Troy, Ohio BA, Biological Science, Ohio State, 1980 MS, Safety Engineering, Univ of Southern CA., 1985 CURRENT POSITION: Flight Simulation Engineer Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. Warren F. Decker, Troy, Ohio MARITAL STATUS: Married to Richard J. Sherlock ................................................................... NAME: Donald A. Thomas, Ph.D., Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: May 6, 1955 - Cleveland, Ohio RESIDENCE: Seabrook, Texas EDUCATION: Cleveland Heights High School, Cleveland, Ohio BS, Physics, Case Western Univ., 1977 MS, Materials Science, Cornell Univ., 1980 Ph.D., Materials Science, Cornell Univ., 1982 CURRENT POSITION: Materials Engineer NASA/Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas PARENTS: William G. Thomas, Sr., Englewood, Fla. Irene M. Thomas, American Embassy, Burma MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Kristine R. Castagnola ................................................................... -more- -7- NAME: Janice E. Voss, Ph.D., Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: October 8, 1956 - South Bend, Ind. RESIDENCE: Houston, Texas EDUCATION: Minnechang Regional High School, Wilbraham, Mass. BS, Engineering Science, Purdue Univ., 1975 MS, Electrical Engineering, MIT, 1977 Ph.D., Aero/Astronautics, MIT, 1987 CURRENT POSITION: Manager, Integrations & Operations Orbital Sciences Corp. Houston, Texas PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. James R. Voss, Wilbraham, Mass. MARITAL STATUS: Single ................................................................... NAME: Carl E. Walz, Captain, USAF, Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: September 6, 1955 - Cleveland, Ohio RESIDENCE: Henderson, Nev. EDUCATION: Charles T. Brush High School, Lyndhurst, Ohio BS, Physics, Kent State, 1977 MS, Physics, John Carroll Univ., 1979 CURRENT POSITION: Flight Test Program Manager Air Force Flight Test Center Pittman Station, Nevada PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. Carl J. Walz, South Euclid, Ohio MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Pamela J. Glady ...................................................................... NAME: Terrence W. Wilcutt, Major, USMC, Pilot BIRTHPLACE/DATE: October 31, 1949 - Russellville, Ky. RESIDENCE: NAS Patuxent River, Md. EDUCATION: Southern High School, Louisville, Ky. BA, Math, Western Kentucky Univ., 1974 CURRENT POSITION: Test Pilot/Project Officer NAS Patuxent River, Maryland PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. George B. Wilcutt, Russellville, Ky. MARITAL STATUS: Married to the former Robin Jo Moyers ..................................................................... -more- -8- NAME: Peter J. K. Wisoff, Ph.D., Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: August 16, 1958 - Norfolk, Va. RESIDENCE: Houston, Texas EDUCATION: Norfolk Academy, Norfolk, Va. BS, Physics, Univ. of Virginia, 1980 MS, Physics, Stanford Univ., 1982 Ph.D., Applied Physics, Stanford Univ., 1986 CURRENT POSITION: Asst. Professor Rice University Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering Houston, Texas PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. Carl P. Wisoff, Norfolk, Va. MARITAL STATUS: Single .................................................................... NAME: David A. Wolf, M.D., Mission Specialist BIRTHPLACE/DATE: August 23, 1956 - Indianapolis, Ind. RESIDENCE: Houston, Texas EDUCATION: BS, Electrical Engineer, Purdue Univ., 1978 M.D., Indiana Univ., 1982 CURRENT POSITION: Aerospace Medical Officer NASA/Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas PARENTS: Harry Wolf, Indianapolis, Ind. Dorothy Wolf, Indianapolis, Ind. MARITAL STATUS: Single -end-