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Frick, Stephen Nathaniel

Person · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Frick
Frick
Credit: www.spacefacts.de

American test pilot astronaut 1996-2010. Flew 26 combat missions over Iraq.

Official NASA Biography as of June 2016:Stephen N. Frick (CAPTAIN, USN, RET.)
NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Hometown: Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. Married. He enjoys hiking , skiing, and camping.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Richland High School, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania in 1982. Received a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from the US Naval Academy in 1986, and a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1994.

ORGANIZATIONS: Society of Experimental Test Pilots, U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.

SPECIAL HONORS: Distinguished Flying Cross; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; 3 Navy Commendation Medals, one with Combat V; Air Medal with 2 Strike-Flight awards; 2 Southwest Asia Service Medals; NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal; NASA Spaceflight Medal

EXPERIENCE: Frick was commissioned upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 1986. After being designated as a Naval Aviator in February 1988, he reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida, for transition to the F/A-18 Hornet. Upon completion of training, he reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 83 also at Cecil Field, and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea onboard the USS Saratoga (CV-60). During the 8-month deployment, Frick participated in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, flying 26 combat missions from the Red Sea to targets in Iraq and Kuwait. He was also designated an airwing-qualified landing signals officer. After leaving Strike Fighter Squadron 83 in December 1991, he participated in a cooperative program with the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and the Naval Test Pilot School at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland resulting in a master's degree in aeronautical engineering and designation as a Naval Test Pilot. Upon graduation in June 1994, Frick was assigned as a project officer and test pilot to the Carrier Suitability Department of the Strike Aircraft Test Squadron also located at Patuxent River. While there he conducted shore-based and shipboard testing of the F/A-18 Hornet. Frick was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 in Lemoore, California, preparing for return to a deployed F/A-18 squadron when selected for the astronaut program in April 1996. Captain Frick retired from the U. S. Navy in September 2010.

He has logged more than 4,300 flight hours in 38 different aircraft, and has over 370 carrier landings.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in April 1996, Frick reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. After initial Space Shuttle crew training to qualify for flight assignment as a pilot, he has served in many capacities in the Astronaut Office including lead capsule communicator (CAPCOM) for the STS-114 return to flight mission, ascent and entry CAPCOM for multiple launches and landings, and Chief of the Safety Branch. Outside of the Astronaut Office, Frick has served as liaison to NASA HQ for return-to-flight activities after the Columbia accident, and the Orion Spacecraft Project Flight Crew Testing Lead. Currently he is serving as Chief of the Astronaut Office Exploration Branch. A veteran of two spaceflights, Captain Frick has logged over 565 hours in space. He served as pilot on STS-110 in 2002, and was the crew commander on STS-122 in 2008.

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-110 Atlantis (April 8-19, 2002) was the 13th Shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station. Mission milestones included delivery and installation of the S0 (S-Zero) Truss, first maneuvering of spacewalkers using the ISS robotic arm, and the first mission on which all spacewalks were based from the station’s Quest Airlock. The crew prepared the station for future spacewalks and spent a week in joint operations with the station’s Expedition-4 crew. The STS-110 mission lasted 10 days, 19 hours, and 42 minutes, and traveled 4.5 million statute miles in 171 Earth orbits.

STS-122 Atlantis (February 7-20, 2008) was the 24th Shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station. Mission highlight was the delivery and installation of the European Space Agency’s Columbus Laboratory. Three spacewalks by the Atlantis crew prepared the Columbus Laboratory for its scientific work, and replaced an expended nitrogen tank on the Station’s P-1 Truss. STS-122 was also a crew replacement mission, delivering Expedition-16 Flight Engineer, ESA Astronaut Léopold Eyharts and returning home with Expedition-16 Flight Engineer, NASA Astronaut Daniel Tani. The STS-122 mission was accomplished in 12 days, 18 hours, 22 minutes, and traveled 5.3 million statute miles in 203 Earth orbits.

OCTOBER 2010

NASA Official Biography

NAME: Stephen N. Frick (Lieutenant Commander, USN)
NASA Astronaut Candidate (Pilot)
PERSONAL DATA:
Born September 30, 1964, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Single. He enjoys skiing, biking, hiking,and camping.
EDUCATION:
Graduated from Richland High School, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania in 1982; received a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from the US Naval Academy in 1986; master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1994.
ORGANIZATIONS:
Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Association of Naval Aviators, U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.
SPECIAL HONORS:
Air Medal with 2 Strike-Flight awards; 3 Navy Commendation Medals, one with Combat V; Navy Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, 2 Southwest Asia Service Medals; and various other service awards.
EXPERIENCE:
Frick was commissioned upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 1986. After being designated as a Naval Aviator in February 1988, he reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida, for transition to the F/A-18 Hornet. Upon completion of training, he reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 83 also at Cecil Field, and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea onboard the USS Saratoga (CV-60). During the 8 month deployment, he participated in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, flying 26 combat missions from the Red Sea to targets in Iraq and Kuwait. He was also designated an airwing qualified landing signals officer. After leaving Strike Fighter Squadron 83 in December 1991, Frick participated in a cooperative program consisting of 15 months at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and 1 year with the Naval Test Pilot School at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Upon graduation in June 1994, he was assigned as a project officer and test pilot to the Carrier Suitability Department of the Strike Aircraft Test Squadron also located at Patuxent River. While there, he conducted shore-based and shipboard testing of the F/A-18 Hornet. Frick was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 in Lemoore, California, preparing for return to a deployed F/A-18 squadron when selected for the astronaut program in April 1996.

Frick Has logged over 1,800 flight hours in 27 different aircraft, and has over 370 carrier landings.

NASA EXPERIENCE:
Selected by NASA in April 1996, Frick reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996 to begin two years of training and evaluation. Successful completion of initial training will qualify him for various technical assignments leading to selection as a pilot on a Space Shuttle flight crew.

JANUARY 1997

More at: Frick.

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Chronology

51 events

1964 September 30

  • Birth of Stephen Nathaniel Frick - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Frick. American test pilot astronaut 1996-2010. Flew 26 combat missions over Iraq. 2 spaceflights, 23.6 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-110 (2002), STS-122..

1983 December 5

  • NASA Astronaut Training Group 16 selected. - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Brown, David, Burbank, Cagle, Caldeiro, Camarda, Carey, Clark, Fincke, Forrester, Frick, Guidoni, Herrington, Higginbotham, Hobaugh, Kelly, James, Kelly, Mark, Kelly, Scott, Lockhart, Loria, Magnus, Massimino, Mastracchio, McCool, Morin, Nowak, Pettit, Phillips.

    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.. 10 pilots and 25 mission specialists selected from over 2,400 applicants. 9 additional international astronauts.

2002 April 8

2002 April 8

20:44 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39B. LV Family: Shuttle. Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle.
  • STS-110 - . Call Sign: Atlantis. Crew: Bloomfield, Frick, Morin, Ochoa, Ross, Smith, Steven, Walheim. Payload: Atlantis F25 / SO. Mass: 100,000 kg (220,000 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Bloomfield, Frick, Morin, Ochoa, Ross, Smith, Steven, Walheim. Agency: NASA. Manufacturer: Boeing. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-110. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Duration: 10.82 days. Decay Date: 2002-04-19 . USAF Sat Cat: 27413 . COSPAR: 2002-018A. Apogee: 402 km (249 mi). Perigee: 309 km (192 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.70 min.

    Launch delayed from March 22, April 4. Space Shuttle Atlantis entered an orbit of approximately 59 x 229 km x 51.6 deg at 2052 UTC, and separated from the External Tank, ET-114. ET-114 reached apogee around 2122 UTC and reentered over the Pacific about 2150 UTC at the end of its first orbit. Atlantis fired its OMS engines at apogee to raise its perigee to 155 km. Further orbit changes will lead to a rendezvous with the Space Station on Station mission 8A. STS-110 carried the S0 truss segment to the Station. The truss was the first segment of the main backbone of the Station which was to grow to carry the large solar panel wings and radiators. Cargo manifest:

    • Bay 1-2: Orbiter Docking System - 1800 kg + 3 EMU spacesuits - 360 kg
    • Bay 4-13: S0 Truss - 12623 kg. The S0 truss, built by Boeing/Huntington Beach, was 13.4 m long and 4.6 m in diameter. The main truss had a hexagonal cross section. One face carried fluid, power and data cables, while another face carried the rails for the Mobile Transporter. The S0 contained avionics, GPS antennae, and a radiation dose monitor. The S0 would be attached to the LCA (Lab Cradle Assembly) which was attached to the top of the Destiny lab module in 2001. Attached to S0 were:
      • 4 x MTS (Module to Truss Structure) struts. These were used to connect it to the Destiny module
      • Airlock Spur. This was a 4.2 m beam that hinged out to connect to the Quest module and had handrails for spacewalkers
      • Mobile Transporter (MT). This was made by TRW Astro Aerospace in Carpinteria and was an 885 kg, 2.7 m long truck which moved on the S0 rails to transfer heavy cargo along the truss.
    • Sill: RMS arm - 410 kg
    • Total: 15193 kg

2002 April 9

2002 April 9

2002 April 10

  • STS-110 Mission Status Report #04 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Bloomfield, Bursch, Frick, Morin, Ochoa, Onufrienko, Ross, Smith, Steven, Walheim, Walz. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-108 ISS EO-4, STS-110.

    Atlantis has closed the distance between it and the International Space Station to less than 1,800 statute miles, and is continuing its approach in anticipation of docking with the station at 11:06 a.m. central time today. The linkup should occur as the two spacecraft fly over south-central China, to the southwest of Shanghai. The Atlantis crew, Commander Mike Bloomfield, Pilot Steve Frick and mission specialists Rex Walheim, Ellen Ochoa, Lee Morin, Jerry Ross and Steve Smith, was awakened at 3:44 a.m. by "Rapunzel Got a Mohawk," performed by Joe Scruggs. The song was played for Ochoa, at the request of her family. Additional Details: here....

2002 April 10

2002 April 11

2002 April 11

  • STS-110 Mission Status Report #07 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Bloomfield, Bursch, Frick, Ochoa, Ross, Smith, Steven, Walheim, Walz. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-108 ISS EO-4, STS-110.

    The expansion of the International Space Station continued today with the installation of the 13 1/2 ton S0 (S-Zero) truss segment on the orbital outpost. Assisted by Expedition Four Flight Engineer Dan Bursch, Atlantis Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa gently lifted the truss out of the shuttle's payload bay at 5:30 a.m. Central time through the use of the station's robotic arm and maneuvered it onto a clamp at the top of the station's Destiny Laboratory. It took just under four hours to complete the delicate procedure. Additional Details: here....

2002 April 12

2002 April 12

  • STS-110 Mission Status Report #08 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Bloomfield, Bursch, Frick, Morin, Ochoa, Onufrienko, Ross, Smith, Steven, Walheim, Walz. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-108 ISS EO-4, STS-110.

    After successful installation of the S-Zero (S0) Truss and a spacewalk on Thursday, the focus of today's activities will shift from external construction of the International Space Station to the transfer of equipment, supplies and experiments between the space shuttle Atlantis and the orbiting laboratory. Additional Details: here....

2002 April 13

2002 April 13

2002 April 14

2002 April 14

2002 April 15

2002 April 15

2002 April 16

2002 April 16

  • STS-110 Mission Status Report #17 - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Bloomfield, Bursch, Frick, Morin, Ochoa, Onufrienko, Ross, Smith, Steven, Walheim, Walz. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-108 ISS EO-4, STS-110.

    Atlantis astronauts Jerry Ross and Lee Morin completed the outfitting of the new S-Zero (S0) truss on the International Space Station today during a 6 hour, 37 minute spacewalk, installing a ladder, testing electrical switches for upcoming truss expansion and attaching external lights and equipment to be used in future assembly work. Additional Details: here....

2002 April 17

2002 April 17

2002 April 18

2002 April 18

2002 April 19

2002 April 19

2002 April 19

2008 February 7

2008 February 7

2008 February 7

19:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39A. LV Family: Shuttle. Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle.
  • STS-122 - . Call Sign: Atlantis. Crew: Eyharts, Frick, Love, Melvin, Poindexter, Schlegel, Walheim. Payload: Atlantis F29 / Columbus. Mass: 117,850 kg (259,810 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Eyharts, Frick, Love, Melvin, Poindexter, Schlegel, Walheim. Agency: NASA. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TMA-11, STS-120 ISS EO-16, STS-122, STS-122 ISS EO-16. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Duration: 12.77 days. Decay Date: 2008-02-20 14:07:00 . USAF Sat Cat: 32486 . COSPAR: 2008-005A. Apogee: 343 km (213 mi). Perigee: 329 km (204 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.20 min.

    ISS flight 1E's primary mission was the long-delayed delivery and installation of the European Columbus module. The shuttle entered an initial 58 km x 230 km orbit at 19:54 GMT. The OMS-2 circularization burn at 20:23 GMT put it into a 215 km x 233 km chase orbit. Atlantis docked with the PMA-2 port of the ISS at 17:17 GMT on 9 February. Eyharts was dropped off at the station, Tani, already aboard the ISS, returned to Earth on Atlantis. Atlantis undocked from the ISS on 20 February at 09:24 GMT; began its deorbit burn at 12:59; and landed at the Kennedy Space Center at 14:07.

2008 February 8

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2008 February 20

14:07 GMT - .