William Frederick Fisher
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|
William Fisher | |
---|---|
NASA astronaut | |
Time in space | 7d 2h 17m |
Selection | NASA Group 9 (1980) |
Missions | STS-51-I |
Mission insignia |
William Frederick Fisher (born April 1, 1946) is an American physician and a former NASA astronaut. Fisher went into space in 1985 on board the Space Shuttle. He retired from NASA in 1992[1] and returned to the full-time practice of medicine. His time at NASA coincided with that of his former wife and fellow astronaut Anna Lee Fisher.[2] He is also the great grandson of Pony Express rider William Frederick Fisher (1839 - 1919)[citation needed]
Early life
Fisher was born April 1, 1946,
Education
- 1964: Graduated from North Syracuse Central High School, North Syracuse, New York[3]
- 1968: Received a Biological Sciences from Stanford University[3]
- 1969–1971: Performed graduate work in Microbiology at the University of Florida[3]
- 1975: Received a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Florida[4]
- 1975–1977: Residency in UCLA Medical Center[3]
- 1978–1980: Performed graduate work in Engineering at the University of Houston[3]
Career
Fisher graduated from
He has logged over 2,000 hours in
NASA career
Fisher was selected as NASA Astronaut in 1980. His technical assignments included: scientific equipment operator for high altitude research on the
Fisher was a mission specialist on STS-51-I, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on August 27, 1985. STS-51-I was acknowledged as the most successful Space Shuttle mission yet flown. The crew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery deployed three communications satellites, the Navy SYNCOM IV-4, the Australian AUSSAT, and American Satellite Company's ASC-1. They also performed a successful on-orbit rendezvous with the ailing 15,400 pound SYNCOM IV-3 satellite, and two EVAs (spacewalks) by Fisher and van Hoften to repair it, including the longest spacewalk in history (at that time). Discovery completed 112 orbits of the Earth before landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on September 3, 1985. Fisher logged over 170 hours in space, including 11 hours and 52 minutes of Extravehicular Activity (EVA).
In 1990, Fisher led a study of the design of the planned space station. The New York Times reported that study "found the 500-foot structure was so complex and fragile that it could need up to 3,700 hours of maintenance a year by space-suited astronauts, as against the designers' original goal of 130 hours." In March of that year Fisher gained political notice "when he publicly accused his superiors at the space agency of ignoring the maintenance problem. Subsequently, he was called to Capitol Hill to testify before a number of committees."[1]
Post-NASA
After leaving NASA, Fisher returned to the practice of emergency medicine. He remains in active medical practice in the greater Houston area at the present time.[citation needed]
Personal life
He married fellow physician and later fellow astronaut,
Organizations
- Diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine[3]
- Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians[4]
- Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine[4]
Awards and honors
- American Astronautical Society Victor A. Prather Award for Outstanding Achievement in the field of Extravehicular Activity (1985)[3]
- Federation Aeronautique Internationale V.M. Komarov Diploma for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Exploration of Outer Space(Awarded to the STS-51 Crew) (1985)[3]
- NASA Space Flight Medal (1985)[3]
- NASA Exceptional Service Medal (1988)[3]
- Group Achievement Awards for EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit or "Space Suit") and MMU (Manned Maneuvering Unit) Development (1983, 1984)[3]
- Group Achievement Awards for Payload Assist Module (PAM) Software Development and Vehicle Integration (1983)[3]
- Named an ad hoc member of the U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (1986–1991)[3]
- Appointed a member of the NASA Medicine Policy Board (1987–1991)[3]
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the
- ^ a b Broad, William J. (January 9, 1991). "Astronaut, Quitting NASA, Urges Overhaul of Space Station". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- ^ "Space-shuttle choice could mean heavenly marriage". The Arizona Republic. Vol. 91, no. 15. Associated Press. May 31, 1980. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "William M. Fisher (M.D.)" (PDF). Biographical Data. NASA. December 1993. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Healthcare Provider Search". tmb.state.tx.us. Texas Medical Board. License F5202. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- ^ Klemesrud, Judy (June 3, 1980). "A Marriage That Was Made for The Heavens". The New York Times. p. 12. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ Linkedin page for Kristin Fisher, accessed June 3, 2015
- ^ Linkedin page for Kara Fisher, accessed April 23, 2016
- OCLC 1145568343.
External links
- "William M. Fisher (M.D.)" (PDF). Biographical Data. NASA. December 1993. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- Spacefacts biography of William Frederick Fisher
- In 2002 Fisher posted a message to Beatles' producer George Martin's website -- now offline -- asking about the UV reflection of his original Sgt. Pepper LP -- a phenomenon little known by collectors at the time.
- In 2011 Tracy A. Woodward photographed Bill and Kristin Fisher for The Washington Post
- Is there a Hidden Message in the Sgt. Peppers LP that Glows in UV Light?[permanent dead link]