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, when he became the first African American to perform a spacewalk. This happened during the second of his two Space Shuttle missions.
Contents
A Dream of Space
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 six, his parents divorced. Seeing his father struggle to find work made Bernard determined to get a good education in science and technology.
In 1969, a 13-year-old Bernard watched the Apollo 11 mission land on the Moon. He was so inspired that he knew he wanted to become an astronaut. With help from his science teacher, he started a science club and a rocket club at his school.
Education and Training
Harris graduated from Sam Houston High School in San Antonio, Texas, in 1974. He loved being part of science fairs and book clubs. He went on to earn a degree in biology from the University of Houston in 1978.
His goal was to become a doctor, so he earned a medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in 1982. He then worked as a doctor at the famous Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Harris's dream of space was still alive. He trained as a flight surgeon (a doctor for pilots and astronauts) at Brooks Air Force Base. He also joined NASA's Johnson Space Center as a scientist and flight surgeon. There, he studied how the human body adapts to being in space.
Becoming an Astronaut
In 1990, NASA selected Harris to become an astronaut. He completed his training in 1991 and was ready for a mission.
First Space Mission: STS-55
Harris's first trip to space was on the Space Shuttle Columbia from April 26 to May 6, 1993. The mission was called STS-55. For ten days, he and the crew did many science experiments. On this flight, Harris traveled over 4 million miles and spent more than 239 hours in space.
Second Mission and Historic Spacewalk: STS-63
His second mission was STS-63, from February 2 to February 11, 1995. He was the payload commander, which meant he was in charge of the science experiments.
A major goal of this mission was to meet up with the Russian space station Mir. During this flight, on February 9, 1995, Harris stepped outside the shuttle and became the first African American to walk in space. This is also called an extra-vehicular activity (EVA). He spent 4 hours and 39 minutes on his spacewalk.
This mission was historic for other reasons too. Eileen Collins became the first woman to pilot a Space Shuttle on this flight.
Life After NASA
Harris left NASA in April 1996 but continued to work in science and business. He started The Harris Foundation in 1998. It is a non-profit group that helps young people, especially from disadvantaged communities, to get a good education and follow their dreams.
He has also been the CEO of the National Math and Science Initiative and the CEO of Vesalius Ventures, a company that invests in new medical technology. As of 2021, he serves on the board of directors for Raytheon Technologies, a major aerospace company.
Honors and Recognition
Dr. Harris has received many awards for his work. NASA gave him two Space Flight Medals. He has also received many honorary degrees from universities across the country.
In 2006, a middle school in San Antonio, Texas, was named the Bernard Harris Middle School in his honor.
Personal Life
Harris married Sandra Fay Lewis in 1989. They have a daughter named Brooke, who was born in 1992. The couple divorced in 2008.
See also
