S. David Griggs

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David Griggs
NASA astronaut
RankRear Admiral, USN
Time in space
6d 23h 55m
SelectionNASA Group 8 (1978)
Total EVAs
1
Total EVA time
3h 6m
MissionsSTS-51-D
Mission insignia

Stanley David Griggs (September 7, 1939 – June 17, 1989) was a

North American AT-6D (registration N3931S)[1] – crashed near Earle, Arkansas
.

Early life

Born September 7, 1939, in

, and diving. He married Karen Frances Kreeb and they had two daughters together, Alison Marie (August 21, 1971) and Carre Anne (May 14, 1974).

Navy career

Griggs graduated from

USS Franklin Roosevelt
.

In 1967 Griggs entered the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland and upon completion of test pilot training was assigned to the Flying Qualities and Performance Branch, Flight Test Division, where he flew various test projects on fighter and attack-type aircraft. In 1970, he resigned his regular United States Navy commission and affiliated with the Naval Air Reserve in which he achieved the rank of Rear Admiral.

As a Naval Reservist, Griggs was assigned to several fighter and attack squadrons flying

Miramar, California
.

He logged 9,500 hours flying time, 7,800 hours in jet aircraft, and flew over 45 different types of aircraft including single and multi engine prop,

Airline Transport Pilot License
, and was a certified flight instructor.

NASA career

Waving to the orbiter during his 3-hour EVA aboard mission STS-51-D

In July 1970, Griggs was employed at the

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center as a research pilot, working on various flight test and research projects in support of NASA programs. In 1974, he was assigned duties as the project pilot for the Space Shuttle
trainer aircraft and participated in the design, development, and testing of those aircraft pending their operational deployment in 1976. He was appointed Chief of the Shuttle Training Aircraft Operations Office in January 1976 with responsibility for the operational use of the shuttle trainer, and held that position until being selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1978. In August 1979, he completed a one-year training and evaluation period and became eligible for Space Shuttle flight crew assignment.

From 1979 to 1983, Griggs was involved in several Space Shuttle engineering capacities including the development and testing of the

space walk
) of the space program. The space walk lasted for over three hours during which preparations for a satellite rescue attempt were completed.

At the time of his death, Griggs was in flight crew training as pilot for STS-33, a dedicated Department of Defense mission, scheduled for launch in November 1989. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[2]

Awards and honors

References

  • "Biographical Data: S. DAVID GRIGGS (MR.) NASA ASTRONAUT (DECEASED)" (PDF). NASA. June 1989. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  • Astronautix S. David Griggs bio
  • Spacefacts biography of S. David Griggs

External links