Donald R. McMonagle

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Donald McMonagle
NASA astronaut
Rank	Colonel, USAF
Time in space	25d 5h 34m
Selection	NASA Group 12 (1987)
Missions	STS-39 STS-54 STS-66
Mission insignia

Donald Ray McMonagle (born May 14, 1952) (Col, USAF, Ret.) is a former astronaut and a veteran of three shuttle flights. He became the Manager, Launch Integration, at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on August 15, 1997. In this capacity he was responsible for final shuttle preparation, launch execution, and return of the orbiter to KSC following landings at any other location. He was chair of the Mission Management Team, and was the final authority for launch decision.^[1]

Early years

McMonagle was born on May 14, 1952, in

McMonagle was selected as an astronaut by NASA in June 1987. A veteran of three space flights, he has logged over 605 hours in space.^[1]

McMonagle flew as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on Department of Defense mission STS-39 in April 1991. During this highly successful eight-day mission, the seven-man crew deployed, operated, and retrieved a remotely controlled spacecraft and conducted several science experiments to include research of both natural and induced phenomena in the Earth's atmosphere.^[3]

In January 1993, McMonagle served as pilot on STS-54 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The six-day mission featured the deployment of a tracking and data relay satellite (TDRS), and the collection of information about celestial x-rays using a diffuse X-ray spectrometer.^[4]

McMonagle commanded a crew of six aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-66 Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science-3 (ATLAS-3) 11-day mission in November 1994.^[5]

In January 1996 McMonagle was assigned the task to establish a new Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) Project Office responsible for managing all NASA resources associated with space suits and tools used to conduct spacewalks in support of space shuttles and the International Space Station. This role included responsibility for developing and implementing a plan for research and development of next-generation space suits to support future human space exploration.

Organizations

McMonagle is a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots; Association of Graduates, U.S. Air Force Academy; and Association of Space Explorers.

Special honors

McMonagle's accomplishments have earned him many notable awards, including:

• Air Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Three
  Air Force Commendation Medals
• Defense Meritorious Service Medal
• Distinguished Flying Cross
• Liethen-Tittle Award (Top Graduate from USAF Test Pilot School)
• Three NASA Space Flight Medals
• NASA Exceptional Service Medal
• NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal

Personal life

McMonagle is married to the former Janyce Morton of Phoenix, Arizona. They have two children and reside in Tucson, Arizona.^[1]

As of 19 June 2006, he was named as the Vice-President of Quality and Mission Effectiveness of the Missile Systems business unit of Raytheon in Tucson.

References

External links

• Spacefacts biography of Donald R. McMonagle