Robert C. Springer

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Bob Springer
NASA astronaut
RankColonel, USMC
Time in space
9d 21h 32m
SelectionNASA Group 9 (1980)
MissionsSTS-29
STS-38
Mission insignia

Robert Clyde "Bob" Springer (born May 21, 1942[1]) is a retired American astronaut and test pilot who flew as a mission specialist on two NASA Space Shuttle missions in 1989 and 1990. A decorated aviator in the United States Marine Corps, Springer also flew more than 500 combat sorties during the Vietnam War. He has logged over 237 hours in space and 4,500 hours flying time, including 3,500 hours in jet aircraft.[1]

Pre-spaceflight experience

Springer was born May 21, 1942, in

commission in the U.S. Marine Corps following his 1964 graduation from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Science. Springer attended The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia before reporting to the Naval Air Training Command for flight training at Pensacola, Florida and Beeville, Texas
.

Upon receiving his

.

Springer returned to the United States to attend the U.S.

, where he became Wing operations analysis officer.

He flew UH-1Es in 1972 while with

TOPGUN
").

A 1975 graduate of the

Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia in 1978, and was assigned to Headquarters Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, where he assumed responsibility for joint operational planning for Marine Forces in NATO and the Middle East. He was serving as aide-de-camp for the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic
, when advised of his selection by NASA in May 1980.

NASA experience

Springer became an astronaut in August 1981. His technical assignments included support crew for

CAPCOM
for seven flights between 1984 and 1985.

Springer was responsible for

Astronaut Office coordination of Design Requirements Reviews and Design Certification Reviews. These review efforts encompassed the total recertification and reverification of the Shuttle prior to STS-26 return to flight status. He flew as a mission specialist on STS-29 in 1989, and STS-38
in 1990.

Springer retired from NASA and the U.S. Marine Corps in December 1990.

STS-29

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, and performed numerous secondary experiments, including a Space Station "heat pipe" radiator experiment, two student experiments, a protein crystal growth experiment, and a chromosome and plant cell division experiment. In addition, the crew took over 4,000 photographs of the Earth using several types of cameras, including the IMAX 70 mm movie camera. Mission duration was 119 hours and concluded with a landing at Edwards Air Force Base
, California.

STS-38

Space Shuttle Atlantis (November 15–20, 1990) was launched at night from Kennedy Space Center. During the five-day mission the crew conducted Department of Defense operations. After 80 orbits of the Earth, Atlantis and her crew landed back at the Kennedy Space Center, in the first Shuttle recovery in Florida since 1985.

Awards and honors

Navy Unit Citation, and various Vietnam Campaign ribbons and service awards.[1]

References

  1. ^
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    .

External links