Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger
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| Born |
Dorothy Marie Metcalf
May 15, 1975 |
| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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15d 2h 47m |
| Selection | NASA Group 19 (2004) |
| Missions | STS-131 |
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Mission insignia
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Dorothy Marie "Dottie" Metcalf-Lindenburger is a former American astronaut. She was born on May 2, 1975. Before becoming an astronaut, she was a science teacher. She was chosen by NASA in 2004 to be an educator mission specialist. Dottie also made history as the first person who attended Space Camp to later become an astronaut.
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Dottie's Early Life and Education
Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her parents are Joyce and Keith Metcalf. She grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado.
After high school, Dottie went to Whitman College in Washington. There, she studied geology, which is the study of Earth's rocks and history. She even did research during her summers. She explored glaciers in Wyoming and studied rocks in Colorado. She earned her degree from Whitman College in 1997.
Becoming a Teacher
Dottie then got her teaching certificate in 1999. She taught earth science and astronomy for five years. She taught at Hudson's Bay High School in Vancouver, Washington. She also coached cross-country running and the Science Olympiad team.
In 2000, she married Jason Lindenburger. He was also a teacher and a graduate of Whitman College. They have one daughter together. In 2016, Dottie earned her master's degree in geology. This was from the University of Washington.
Awards and Recognitions
Dottie has received several awards for her achievements:
- In 2007, she was one of the first people inducted into the Space Camp Hall of Fame.
- She was recognized as an Outstanding Teacher Preparation Candidate in 1999.
- She also received geology awards during her time at Whitman College.
- She was an Academic All-American in cross-country and track.
Dottie's NASA Career
NASA chose Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger to become an astronaut in May 2004. Astronaut training is very intense. It includes learning about the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. Astronauts also learn about how their bodies react in space. They even get flight training in T-38 jets. They also learn survival skills for water and wilderness.
Dottie finished her training in February 2006. This made her a qualified NASA Astronaut.
Mission to Space: STS-131
Dottie served as a mission specialist on STS-131. This was a Space Shuttle mission in April 2010. The mission's main goal was to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. They carried a special module called Leonardo. It was filled with food and science equipment for the station.
On this mission, the crew delivered over 27,000 pounds of supplies. This included a tank of ammonia coolant. It took three spacewalks to connect it. They also brought new sleeping areas for the crew. The mission lasted 15 days, 2 hours, and 47 minutes. The Space Shuttle traveled over 6 million miles.
Other Activities and Retirement
Dottie is also a talented singer. In 2009, she sang the national anthem at a Houston Astros baseball game. This was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. She was also the lead singer for "Max Q", a rock band made up of astronauts.
In 2012, Dottie commanded the NEEMO 16 mission. This was an undersea exploration mission. The crew lived in an underwater laboratory for twelve days. They became "aquanauts" after spending more than 24 hours underwater.
Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger retired from NASA on June 13, 2014. She now lives and works in the Seattle area.
See also
In Spanish: Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger para niños
