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Oefelein, William Anthony 'Bill'
American test pilot astronaut 1998-2007.
Status: Inactive; Active 1998-2007. Born: 1965-03-29. Spaceflights: 1 . Total time in space: 12.86 days. Birth Place: Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. Educated Oregon State; Tennessee; Patuxent. US Navy test pilot.
Official NASA Biography as of June 2016:William A. Oefelein (Commander, USN)
NASA Astronaut (Former)
PERSONAL DATA: Born March 29, 1965 in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, but considers Anchorage, Alaska to be his hometown. He has two children. Recreational interests include weight lifting, wake and snow boarding, fishing, and backcountry hiking. His parents, Randall W. and Billye M. Oefelein, reside in Anchorage, Alaska.
EDUCATION:
- West Anchorage High School, Anchorage, Alaska, 1983.
- B.S., Electrical Engineering, Oregon State University, 1988.
- M.S., Aviation Systems, University of Tennessee Space Institute, 1998.
ORGANIZATIONS: Seaplane Pilots Association.
SPECIAL HONORS: High Scholarship Graduate Oregon State University, McClarran Award for Strike/Fighter competition. Awarded the Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various other service awards.
EXPERIENCE: Oefelein received his commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy from Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida in 1988. He entered flight training in Texas in 1989 and was designated a Naval Aviator in September 1990. He then reported to Marine Fighter/Attack Training Squadron 101 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California for initial F/A-18 training. Upon completion of training, he was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 146 at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California where he made overseas deployments aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to the Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. While assigned to VFA-146, he attended the US Navy Fighter Weapons School, TOPGUN, and was assigned as the Squadron Air-to-Air Weapons and Tactics Officer. Oefelein was selected for the United States Naval Test Pilot School at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland and began the course in January of 1995. After graduation in December 1995, he was assigned to Strike Aircraft Test Squadron as an F/A-18 Project Officer and Test Pilot. In February 1997, he went back to the United States Naval Test Pilot School as an Instructor flying the F/A-18, T-2, and U-6 aircraft. In February 1998, he transferred to Carrier Air Wing 8, Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia where he was assigned duties as the Strike Operations Officer when he was selected for the astronaut program. Oefelein returned to Navy duty in May 2007.
Oefelein has logged over 3000 hours in more than 50 aircraft and has over 200 carrier arrested landings.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in June 1998, Oefelein reported to Johnson Space Center in August 1998. Having completed 2 years of training and evaluation, he is qualified for space flight assignment as a pilot. Oefelein was initially assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Advanced Vehicles Branch and CAPCOM Branch. He completed his first mission as pilot on STS-116 and has logged over 308 hours in space.
SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-116 Discovery (December 9-22, 2006). The seven-member crew on this 12-day mission continued construction of the ISS outpost by adding the P5 spacer truss segment during the first of four spacewalks. The next two spacewalks rewired the station’s power system, preparing it to support the addition of European and Japanese science modules by future shuttle crews. The fourth spacewalk was added to allow the crew to coax and retract a stubborn solar panel to fold up accordion-style into its box. Discovery also delivered a new crew member and more than two tons of equipment and supplies to the station. Almost two tons of items no longer needed on the station returned to Earth with STS-116. Mission duration was 12 days, 20 hours and 45 minutes.
JUNE 2007
Official NASA Biography
-
NAME: William A. Oefelein (Lieutenant, USN)
- NASA Astronaut Candidate (Pilot)
- PERSONAL DATA:
- Born March 29, 1965 in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, but considers Anchorage, Alaska to be his hometown. Married to the former Michaella Davis of Anchorage, Alaska. They have two children. Recreational interests include weight lifting, wake boarding, snow skiing, bicycling, fishing, backcountry hiking, and playing the guitar. His parents, Randall W. and Billye M. Oefelein, reside in Anchorage, Alaska. Her parents, Pat and Charlene Davis, reside in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
- EDUCATION:
- West Anchorage High School, Anchorage, Alaska, 1983.
B.S., Electrical Engineering, Oregon State University, 1988.
M.S., Aviation Systems, University of Tennessee Space Institute, 1998.
- ORGANIZATIONS:
- Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Seaplane Pilots Association.
- SPECIAL HONORS:
- High Scholarship Graduate Oregon State University, McClarran Award for Strike/Fighter competition. Awarded the Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various other service awards.
- EXPERIENCE:
- Oefelein received his commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy from Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida in 1988. He entered flight training in Texas in 1989 and was designated a Naval Aviator in September 1990. He then reported to Marine Fighter/Attack Training Squadron 101 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California for initial F/A-18 training. Upon completion of training, he was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 146 at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California where he made overseas deployments aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to the Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. While assigned to VFA-146, he attended the US Navy Fighter Weapons School, TOPGUN, and was assigned as the Squadron Air-to-Air Weapons and Tactics Officer. Oefelein was selected for the United States Naval Test Pilot School at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland and began the course in January of 1995. After graduation in December 1995, he was assigned to Strike Aircraft Test Squadron as an F/A-18 Project Officer and Test Pilot. In February 1997, he went back to the United States Naval Test Pilot School as an Instructor flying the F/A-18, T-2, and U-6 aircraft. In February 1998, he transferred to Carrier Air Wing 8, Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia where he was assigned duties as the Strike Operations Officer when he was selected for the astronaut program.
Oefelein has logged over 2000 hours in more than 50 aircraft and has over 200 carrier arrested landings.
- NASA EXPERIENCE:
- Selected by NASA in June 1998, he reported for training in August 1998. Astronaut Candidate Training includes orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness survival techniques. Following a period of training and evaluation, he will receive technical assignments within the Astronaut Office before being assigned to a space flight.
OCTOBER 1998
More at: Oefelein.
Family:
Astronaut.
Country:
USA.
Spacecraft:
ISS.
Flights:
STS-116.
Agency:
USN.
Bibliography:
12,
5848.
1965 March 29 - .
- Birth of William Anthony 'Bill' Oefelein - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Oefelein.
American test pilot astronaut 1998-2007. 1 spaceflight, 12.9 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-116 (2006)..
1985 July 19 - .
- NASA Astronaut Training Group 17 selected. - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Archambault,
Caldwell,
Chamitoff,
Creamer,
Ferguson,
Foreman,
Fossum,
Ham,
Hilliard,
Johnson, Gregory C,
Johnson, Gregory H,
Love,
Melvin,
Morgan,
Nespoli,
Oefelein,
Olivas,
Patrick,
Poindexter,
Pontes,
Reisman,
Swanson,
Vittori.
The group was selected to provide pilot, engineer, and scientist astronauts for space shuttle flights.. Qualifications: Pilots: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. Advanced degree desirable. At least 1,000 flight-hours of pilot-in-command time. Flight test experience desirable. Excellent health. Vision minimum 20/50 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 vision; maximum sitting blood pressure 140/90. Height between 163 and 193 cm.
Mission Specialists: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics and minimum three years of related experience or an advanced degree. Vision minimum 20/150 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20. Maximum sitting blood pressure of 140/90. Height between 150 and 193 cm.. Of 25 Americans, eight pilots and 17 mission specialists.
2006 December 9 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 01 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
The Space Shuttle Discovery rocketed into a dark Florida sky at 7:47 p.m. CST today, the third shuttle launch in five months, but the first night launch in more than four years..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 10 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 03 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
The Space Shuttle Discovery crew spent much of its first full day in space using the shuttle's robotic arm and an extension boom-mounted sensor system to inspect heat shielding on Discovery's wing leading edges and nose..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 10 - .
01:47 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39B.
LV Family:
Shuttle.
Launch Vehicle:
Space Shuttle.
- STS-116 - .
Call Sign: Discovery. Crew: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Williams.
Return Crew: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter.
Payload: Discovery F32 / P5. Mass: 120,420 kg (265,480 lb). Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Williams.
Agency: NASA.
Manufacturer: Boeing.
Program: ISS.
Class: Manned.
Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-121 Astrolab.
Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle.
Spacecraft: Discovery.
Duration: 12.86 days. Decay Date: 2006-12-10 . USAF Sat Cat: 29647 . COSPAR: 2006-055A. Apogee: 358 km (222 mi). Perigee: 326 km (202 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.40 min.
The mission used solid rocket booster pair RSRM-95 and external tank ET-123. At SSME burnout Discovery was in a 58 km x 220 km x 51.6 deg preliminary burn. The OMS-2 burn at 02:25 GMT placed the shuttle in a stable 225 x 250 km orbit from which rendezvous maneuvers began. Discovery docked
with the ISS at 22:12 GMT on December 11. In the most demanding ISS assembly mission ever, the crew would require an additional spacewalk to complete installation of the P5 truss, retraction of the recalcitrant port P6 solar array wing, and activation of the truss electrical and cooling system. Sunita Williams rode the shuttle to the station, and remained behind with the EO-14 crew; ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter, already aboard the station, was returned to earth. Due to weather problems a landing at White Sands was considered; but in the end Discovery landed safely at Kennedy Space Center, after which it was to enter a year-long overhaul cycle.
2006 December 11 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 04 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
The Space Shuttle Discovery continues its pursuit of the International Space Station, a chase that should culminate in the docking of the two spacecraft at 4:05 p.m. CST today..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 11 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 05 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
Astronauts on the Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station were united today, and the joint crew immediately began the complex work associated with installing a new truss section and rewiring the station's power grid..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 12 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 06 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
The first spacewalk by Discovery's crew members, an excursion that will install a new, two-ton segment on the port side of the International Space Station's girder-like truss, will highlight today's work on mission STS-116..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 13 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 08 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
Retracting a solar array wing that has been extended in space for six years will highlight the activities aboard the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle Discovery today..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 15 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 12 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
With half the International Space Station's electrical system rewired, the crew of Space Shuttle Discovery gets half a day off today before they finish the job during a third spacewalk set for Saturday..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 15 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 13 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
The crews of Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station tried again to refold an accordion-like solar array with help from engineers and flight controllers on the ground, but none of the techniques succeeded in clearing the jam..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 16 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 14 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
The third spacewalk of Discovery's mission to the International Space Station is scheduled to begin at 1:37 p.m. CST to complete the rewiring of the orbiting laboratory's power system..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 17 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 16 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
Astronauts will spend much of today getting ready for a fourth spacewalk during Discovery's mission to the International Space Station..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 17 - .
2006 December 18 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 18 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Oefelein,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116.
Discovery and International Space Station crew members will conduct their fourth spacewalk of the week today, an excursion aimed at freeing a snagged, partially retracted station solar array so it will fully fold properly..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 18 - .
2006 December 19 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 20 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
Space Shuttle Discovery astronauts will leave the orbiting laboratory today after four successful spacewalks, delivery and installation of a new segment of the International Space Station's main truss and reconfiguring the station's power system..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 19 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 21 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
Crews aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station bid one another farewell at 4:10 p.m. CST today, wrapping up eight days of docked operations..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 20 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 23 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
Inspection of Discovery's heat shield was conducted today as the seven crewmembers began the task of preparing their ship for their high-speed return to Earth on Friday..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 20 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 22 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
Discovery crew members will make a final check of the shuttle's heat shields today, using a sensor-equipped 50-foot extension of the shuttle's robotic arm..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 21 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 24 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
Discovery's astronauts will spend today preparing to return to Earth. They will test flight control surfaces, steering jets and other entry and landing systems while they stow equipment in Discovery's cabin..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 21 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 25 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15.
Discovery's astronauts completed preparations for a planned return to Earth on Friday and received word from Mission Control that their final inspection showed the shuttle's heat shield is in good shape..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 22 - .
- STS-116 MCC Status Report 26 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Lopez-Alegria,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter,
Tyurin,
Williams.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-9,
STS-116,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-121 Astrolab.
Discovery's wakeup call said it all. The song was "Home for the Holidays," sung by Perry Como for the crew, requested by the Mission Control Center..
Additional Details: here....
2006 December 22 - .
2006 December 22 - .
22:32 GMT - .
- Landing of STS-116 - .
Return Crew: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter.
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Curbeam,
Fuglesang,
Higginbotham,
Oefelein,
Patrick,
Polansky,
Reiter.
Program: ISS.
Flight: STS-116,
STS-121 Astrolab.
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