FAQ

Is Norman Thagard alive?

Is Norman Thagard alive?

Norman Earl Thagard, M.D. (born July 3, 1943), (Capt, USMC, Ret.), is an American scientist and former U.S. Marine Corps officer and naval aviator and NASA astronaut….Norman Thagard.

Norman E. Thagard
Born July 3, 1943 Marianna, Florida, U.S.
Status Retired
Nationality American
Other names Norman Earl Thagard

What was Norman Thagard famous for?

Thagard became the first American to train on Russian soil, the first to enter space aboard a non-American craft, and the first American occupant of the Mir. He helped conduct 28 experiments in the course of the 115-day flight. Thagard, Dezhurov, and Strekalov landed at KSC aboard STS-71 Atlantis on July 7, 1995.

Where was Norman Thagard born?

Marianna, Florida, United States
Norman Thagard/Place of birth

What was the name of his first space shuttle?

Space Shuttle Columbia
A new era in space flight began on April 12, 1981, when Space Shuttle Columbia, or STS-1, soared into orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Astronaut John Young, a veteran of four previous spaceflights including a walk on the moon in 1972, commanded the mission.

Where did Columbia go?

It was successfully launched on April 12, 1981, the 20th anniversary of the first human spaceflight (Vostok 1), and returned on April 14, 1981, after orbiting the Earth 36 times, landing on the dry lakebed runway at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Who is Norman Thagard and what did he do?

Norman Earl Thagard (born July 3, 1943), (Capt, USMC, Ret.), is an American scientist and former U.S. Marine Corps officer and naval aviator and NASA astronaut.

When did Norman Thagard become a NASA astronaut?

He is a pilot and has logged more than 2,200 hours flying time, of which the majority was in jet aircraft. Thagard was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1978. In August 1979, he completed a one-year training and evaluation period, making him eligible for assignment as a Mission Specialist on future Space Shuttle flights.

When did Norman Thagard join the Marine Corps?

In September 1966 he entered active duty with the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He achieved the rank of Captain in 1967, was designated a Naval Aviator in 1968 and was subsequently assigned to duty flying F-4 Phantom IIs with VMFA-333 at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina.

How many missions did Norman Thagard fly in Vietnam?

He flew 163 combat missions in Vietnam while assigned to VMFA-115 from January 1969 to 1970. He returned to the United States and an assignment as aviation weapons division officer with VMFA-251 at the Marine Corps Air Station at Beaufort, South Carolina.

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