Former Air Force Pilot Second Woman to Command Shuttle

American Forces Press Service ^ | Gerry J. Gilmore

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2007 – Retired Air Force Col. Pamela A. Melroy will become the second woman to command a NASA space shuttle flight when Discovery lifts off from Cape Canaveral, Fla., tomorrow.

Retired Air Force Col. Pamela A. Melroy is the second woman to command a space shuttle mission. NASA photo  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The STS-120 flight is the 23rd shuttle mission to the International Space Station, according NASA’s Web site. The mission will launch an Italian-built U.S. multi-port module for the station. The “Harmony” device will provide attachment points for European and Japanese laboratory modules.

Melroy, 46, piloted KC-10 tanker planes and tested prototype C-17 transport aircraft in the Air Force. She retired from the military in February.

In a recent interview, Melroy said she’d always wanted to experience space travel. “That was my dream; even going into the Air Force, I knew I wanted to be an astronaut,” said Melroy, who was born in Palo Alto, Calif.

Melroy is leading a crew of six other astronauts, including two military officers, aboard Discovery. She is the second woman to command a shuttle flight. Air Force Col. Eileen M. Collins became the first woman to command a shuttle flight aboard the Columbia during mission STS-93 in July 1999. Collins commanded the Columbia again during shuttle mission STS-114 in July-August 2005. Collins retired from NASA in May 2006.

Other STS-120 crew members are:

-- Marine Col. George D. Zamka, 45, born in Jersey City, N.J.;

-- Scott E. Parazynski, 46, born in Little Rock, Ark.;

-- Army Col. Douglas H. Wheelock, 47, born in Binghamton, N.Y.;

-- Stephanie D. Wilson, 41, born in Boston;

-- Paolo A. Nespoli, 50, a European Space Agency astronaut who was born in Milan, Italy; and

-- Daniel M. Tani, 46, born in Ridley Park, Pa.

Another astronaut, Clayton C. Anderson, 48, will return to earth from the space station aboard shuttle mission STS-120. Tani will replace Anderson aboard the space station. Tani will return to earth on shuttle mission STS-122.

Discovery’s STS-120 mission is slated to return to the John F. Kennedy Space Center’s shuttle landing site in Florida on Nov. 6.

[laweeks]

So what? Is she qualified or not?

[Spirochete]

Pamela A. Melroy will become the second woman to command a NASA space shuttle flight when Discovery lifts off...

I'm not impressed but saddened. This is what NASA is all about now.

[occamrzr06]

But does she wear depends cross country?

[traditional1]

How long before the Hildabeast mentions this as "women are breaking through the Glass Ceiling, and I'm going to break through the Glass Cieling to be the first Woman President!"

My guess: less than 48 hours (or at least leaking her talking points to the MSM for Perky or some other talking heads to bring forth)

[Patton@Bastogne]

.

Occamrzr06


That was "way out of line" ...


You're not fit (intellectually or physically) to wash her coffee cup after breakfast ...

That Woman's probably "forgotten more" in the last three (3) years of Space Shuttle training ... than you've tried to stuff into your pea-brain during your entire life ...

Any questions, moron ?


Patton-at-Bastogne


.

[saganite]

I flew with and knew Eileen Collins in the Air Force, the first female commander of a Shuttle mission. She was a fine pilot and a very smart woman.

Having said that, I think the Shuttle and ISS is a waste of taxpayer money and a distraction for NASA.

[laweeks]

“How long before the Hildabeast mentions this as “women are breaking through the Glass Ceiling”

I hope she’s better qualified than Ruth Ginsberg and Sandra O’Conner in the Supreme Court. Both of their past records were appalling. Their only qualifications were in the type of genitalia they were sitting on, kinda’ like the female cops that we see who are unable to cuff the bad guys, and need another male cop to help them. I just hope that this lady is qualified.

[TaMoDee]

I agree. Shuttle Pilot George Zamka is a relative of mine.
None finer! This goes for the whole crew. May God protect and guide them.

[traditional1]

Why is it that every Leftist female (or ethnic type) on the planet sees the need to flaunt their being a "certain class" when they reach a position?

For all the "diversity" we're being bombarded with you cannot expect that they would see their accomplishment is properly based on their qualifications, rather than their class identity?

There is NO WAY the Left will allow a color-blind or gender-blind society, where they will lose their ability to pander....

[sionnsar]

giant yawn

[SamuraiScot]

Retired Air Force Col. Pamela A. Melroy will become the second woman to command a NASA space shuttle flight

Can she parallel-park?

[occamrzr06]

First, you do not know what I am intellectually or physically fit to do. I’ve washed coffee cups for higher ranking people than a COL. You also don’t know what I’ve stuffed into my pea brain head.

Second, you need to lighten up. The absurdity about this article is not the woman capabilities, intelligence, or her moral character, but how the media puts these hard working people on a higher pedestal, simply because of the fact they are female. Then they crucify them when they find some character flaw that doesn’t fit their agenda.

I don’t recall this type of coverage for the last command pilot who was the 243 (or whatever) ‘Male’ pilot in command.

[poobear]

http://www.local6.com/video/14403239/index.html

In case anybody missed it, the shuttle launched about a half hour ago.

[chimera]

You’re right. These people have the right stuff and more. Always a thrill to see these flights go up there and do the things they do. That a nation of free people can be leading our way to the stars is something that never ceases to amaze and inspire me.