Former NASA astronaut Tom Jones discusses installing the first laboratory module on the International Space Station.
Welcome to Season 5 of the Behind the Wings podcast! In this episode, hear stories about flying the B-52, working as a NASA mission specialist on four Space Shuttle missions, life in space, and what it's like to go on a spacewalk. This one is going to be cool!
Key Takeaways:
- Tom's love of aerospace started when he took a field trip to see two Titan space rockets. Since that moment, he knew he wanted to be an astronaut.
- Tom enrolled in the Air Force Academy and attended pilot training. There he was assigned as a pilot and commander for the B-52 Stratofortress.
- After earning his PhD and applying for the NASA astronaut program three times, he was finally accepted in 1990.
- As a mission specialist, Tom flew on four Space Shuttle missions, STS-59, 68, 80, and 98. He helped with several experiments and controlled the robotic arm.
- On STS-98, Tom embarked on three EVAs, or spacewalks, to install the Destiny module onto the ISS. This was the first ISS laboratory, enabling the USA to conduct in-depth experiments.
- Tom's newest book, Space Shuttle Stories, catalogs every Space Shuttle mission with stories from astronauts who flew on said missions.
- Tom tells listeners that life doesn't always make it easy to achieve your goals, but there are several paths to making it possible.
Resources:
What is Behind the Wings?
Wings Over the Rockies has a new podcast! Based on our hit YouTube and PBS series of the same name, the Behind the Wings podcast will cover everything from aviation history to the future of space exploration with thought leaders and experts in the industry. This one's going to be cool!