Bernard A. Harris Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernard Harris
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Bernard Anthony Harris Jr.
June 26, 1956 Temple, Texas, U.S.
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| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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18d 6h 8m |
| Selection | NASA Group 13 (1990) |
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Total EVAs
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1 |
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Total EVA time
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4h 39m |
| Missions | STS-55 STS-63 |
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Mission insignia
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Bernard Anthony Harris Jr. (born June 26, 1956) is a former NASA astronaut. He made history on February 9, 1995. On that day, Harris became the first African American to perform a spacewalk. This amazing feat happened during his second Space Shuttle flight.
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Early Life and Dreams
Bernard Harris was born in Temple, Texas, on June 26, 1956. His parents were Bernard A. Harris, Sr. and Gussie Emanual Harris. When he was young, he saw his father work hard to find jobs. This inspired Bernard to focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
Harris first dreamed of becoming an astronaut in 1969. He was 13 years old and watched the Apollo 11 mission on TV. With help from his science teacher, he started a science club and a rocket club. He did this with other students who shared his interest.
Education and Training
Bernard Harris finished high school in San Antonio, Texas, in 1974. He loved science fairs and book clubs. He earned a degree in biology from the University of Houston in 1978. Later, he became a doctor, getting his MD from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in 1982. He then completed special training in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic.
Harris also did research at NASA's Ames Research Center. He studied how muscles work and change when not used. He also trained to be a flight surgeon. This means he learned to care for astronauts' health in space. He earned more degrees, including one in biomedical science and an MBA. He is also a licensed pilot and a certified scuba diver.
After his training, he joined NASA's Johnson Space Center. He worked as a scientist and flight surgeon. He studied how space travel affects the human body. He also helped create ways to keep astronauts healthy on long space missions.
Astronaut Missions
NASA chose Bernard Harris to be an astronaut in January 1990. By July 1991, he was ready to be a mission specialist on Space Shuttle flights.
His first mission was STS-55 aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. This flight lasted ten days, from April 26 to May 6, 1993. On this mission, Harris helped with many science experiments. These studies focused on physical and life sciences. During this flight, he spent over 239 hours in space.
His second mission was STS-63, from February 2 to February 11, 1995. This was a special flight because it was the first time a Space Shuttle met with the Russian space station Mir. During this mission, Bernard Harris made history. He became the first African-American to perform a spacewalk. Another astronaut, Michael Foale, also did a spacewalk on this mission. On STS-63, Harris spent 198 hours in space and traveled millions of miles.
After NASA
Bernard Harris left NASA in April 1996. But he kept working in space-related fields. He worked for companies that helped make space travel more common. He also helped create an online education program for the United Nations.
In 1998, he started The Harris Foundation. This group helps people, especially minorities and those who are struggling. Its goal is to help them reach their full potential in education, health, and wealth.
Harris has also given speeches and appeared in ads. He was elected president of the American Telemedicine Association in 2011. This group focuses on using technology to provide healthcare from a distance.
Today, Harris leads the National Math and Science Initiative. He also runs Vesalius Ventures, Inc. This company invests in new medical technology. He also serves on the board of directors for Raytheon Technologies.
Awards and Recognition
Bernard Harris is a member of many important groups. These include the American College of Physicians and the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. He has also served on the boards of several organizations, like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America of Houston.
NASA and other groups have honored him many times. He has received several honorary doctorates from universities. These include Morehouse College School of Medicine and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
He has also received important awards:
- a NASA Space flight medal (1993, 1995)
- a NASA Award of Merit (1996)
- the Horatio Alger Award (2000)
In 2005, a middle school in San Antonio, Texas, was named after him. Bernard Harris Middle School opened in 2006.
Personal Life
Bernard Harris has a daughter named Brooke Alexandria Harris.
See also
