Andy Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andy Thomas
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| Born |
Andrew Sydney Withiel Thomas
18 December 1951 |
| Nationality | Australian American |
| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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177d 9h 14m |
| Selection | NASA Group 14 (1992) |
| Missions | STS-77 STS-89/91 (Mir EO-24/EO-25) STS-102 STS-114 |
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Mission insignia
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Andrew "Andy" Sydney Withiel Thomas (born December 18, 1951) is an Australian-American aerospace engineer and a former NASA astronaut. He was the first Australian-born person to become a professional NASA astronaut.
To follow his dream of going to space, he became a U.S. citizen in 1986. This made him eligible to join NASA's astronaut program. He is married to another NASA astronaut, Shannon Walker.
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Education and Early Life
Andy Thomas grew up in Adelaide, South Australia. He attended St. Andrews Primary School and later St Peter's College, Adelaide. He then studied at the University of Adelaide, earning a bachelor's degree with high honors in 1973 and a doctorate (PhD) in mechanical engineering in 1978.
Even as a student, people noticed his intelligence. A university magazine from 1972 joked that he "hides his massive intellect behind a screen of silence and hair."
Interestingly, Thomas has a famous ancestor. His great-great-grandfather was Frederick George Waterhouse, a naturalist and the first curator of the South Australian Institute Museum.
Career Before NASA
As a child, Thomas was fascinated by space. He loved building model rockets out of cardboard and plastic. This passion led him to a career in engineering.
After finishing his PhD, Thomas moved to the United States and began working for the Lockheed company in Atlanta, Georgia. He became an expert in aerodynamics, the study of how air moves around objects like airplanes and rockets. By 1990, he was the company's top aerodynamic scientist.
A Career with NASA
In March 1992, Thomas's dream came true when NASA selected him to become an astronaut. After a year of intense training, he officially joined the NASA Astronaut Corps in 1993. He was now qualified to fly on Space Shuttle missions.
Before his first flight, he helped with shuttle launches and landings at the Kennedy Space Center. He also gave technical support for the Space Shuttle's main engines and rocket boosters.
In 1998, Thomas trained in Russia for a long mission in space. He spent 140 days on the Russian Space Station Mir. After returning, he served as the Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office from 2001 to 2003.
Thomas retired from NASA in February 2014 after a 22-year career. In total, he spent over 177 days in space.
What Were His Spaceflights Like?
Andy Thomas flew on four different space missions. Each one had unique goals and challenges.
STS-77: First Flight
Thomas's first trip to space was on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in May 1996. During this 10-day mission, the crew:
- Deployed two satellites into orbit.
- Tested a large, inflatable structure in space.
- Conducted science experiments in a special lab called Spacehab.
The shuttle orbited the Earth 160 times, traveling over 4 million miles.
STS-89 and STS-91: Living on Mir
In January 1998, Thomas launched on Space Shuttle Endeavour again. This time, his destination was the Russian Mir Space Station. He lived and worked on Mir as a flight engineer for 130 days.
He returned to Earth in June 1998 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. During his time on the station, he orbited the Earth 2,250 times.
STS-102: Building the ISS
Thomas's third flight was in March 2001 on Space Shuttle Discovery. The mission was to visit the new International Space Station (ISS). The crew delivered supplies and the new Expedition 2 crew to the station.
During this mission, Thomas performed a spacewalk, known as an EVA (extravehicular activity). For 6.5 hours, he worked outside the station to install new parts.
STS-114: Return to Flight
His final mission was in July 2005 on Space Shuttle Discovery. This was a very important "Return to Flight" mission. It was the first shuttle launch after the Columbia accident in 2003.
The crew tested new safety and repair methods for the shuttle. They also continued building the International Space Station. After a two-week mission, the shuttle landed safely in California.
Life After NASA
After retiring from NASA, Thomas continued to support space exploration. On November 20, 2020, the Andy Thomas Foundation was launched in Australia. The foundation's goal is to promote space education and help grow Australia's space industry.
Awards and Recognition
Andy Thomas has received many awards for his work.
- In 2000, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his service to science and space exploration.
- He received the Centenary Medal in 2001.
- A main road near the Adelaide Airport is named Andy Thomas Drive in his honor.
See also
In Spanish: Andy Thomas para niños
