Gregory Olsen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gregory Olsen
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| Born | April 20, 1945 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Fairleigh Dickinson University (B.S., B.Eng, M.S.) University of Virginia (Ph.D.) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Space career | |
| Space Adventures Tourist | |
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Time in space
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9d 21h 15m |
| Missions | Soyuz TMA-7 / Soyuz TMA-6 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Material science |
| Thesis | The fcc-bcc transformation in thin iron films. (1970) |
| Doctoral advisor | William A. Jesser |
Gregory Hammond Olsen, born on April 20, 1945, is an American businessman, engineer, and scientist. In October 2005, he became the third person to pay for his own trip to the International Space Station (ISS). He traveled with a company called Space Adventures.
Mr. Olsen helped start and led a company called Sensors Unlimited Inc. This company made special devices like cameras that could see near-infrared light. NASA was one of their main customers. Today, Olsen runs GHO Ventures, LLC. He invests in new companies and owns a winery, a ranch, and real estate. He also gives many talks to encourage young people, especially girls and minorities, to study science or engineering. He is also a physics professor at Rider University.
Early Life and Education
Gregory Olsen was born in Brooklyn, New York. His father was an electrician, and his mother was a teacher. He grew up in Bay Ridge and finished high school in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, in 1962. Greg first wanted to be a baseball player. But he soon realized how tough the competition was. His father inspired him to become an electrician. His dad always taught him how to fix things at home.
After struggling with grades in high school, Olsen thought about joining the United States Army. However, he was advised to try college first. With a scholarship, he went to Fairleigh Dickinson University. He worked hard, earned good grades, and graduated with honors. Later, he earned his PhD in materials science from the University of Virginia. He has two daughters, Kimberly and Krista, and six grandchildren.
Business Success
Olsen says he had little formal business training. He believes that for smaller companies, success comes from "intuition, instinct, and hard work." He credits his science education for his achievements. He explained that two of his first companies were in fields he studied. For example, his first company, EPITAXX, used his knowledge of physics and material science. Olsen enjoys investing in new companies that have a high chance of success.
In 1984, Olsen co-founded EPITAXX, a company that made parts for fiber optic communication. It was sold in 1990. Then, in 1992, he started Sensors Unlimited with Dr. Marshall J. Cohen. This company was sold for a large amount of money in 2000. Later, the management team bought it back in 2002. It was then sold again to Goodrich, Corp. in 2005.
Journey to Space
Gregory Olsen flew to the International Space Station (ISS) in October 2005. He launched on the Soyuz TMA-7 spacecraft and returned on Soyuz TMA-6. He was the third person to pay for his own trip to the ISS. The first two were Dennis Tito in 2001 and Mark Shuttleworth in 2002. All three traveled through Space Adventures. As of 2013, the Soyuz TMA-6 spacecraft is on display at the Intrepid Museum in New York.
Olsen has mentioned that he doesn't like being called a "space tourist." He explained that being a space tourist sounds like you just pay money for a fun ride. But he said that was not the case at all. He trained for two years with the Russian Space Agency to prepare for his flight.
He shared many details about his journey in an interview. He trained for a year and a half before he was ready for space. During a medical check, doctors found a spot on his lung. He needed monthly medical checks to get permission to fly. It took nine months for him to pass all the tests.
While on the space station, he did several experiments. These included studies in remote sensing and astronomy. Dr. Olsen is also an amateur radio operator. He used a ham radio to talk to students from space through the ARISS project. He estimated that his space trip cost about US$20 million.
Awards and Recognition
In 2010, Olsen was chosen to be a member of the National Academy of Engineering. This was for his work in developing optical parts for fiber communication and national defense.
Olsen was also elected to the Board of Trustees at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
See also
In Spanish: Gregory Olsen para niños
- List of space travelers by name
