Jerry L. Ross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jerry Ross
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EVA portrait, c. 2002
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Jerry Lynn Ross
January 20, 1948 Crown Point, Indiana, U.S.
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| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
| Rank | Colonel, USAF |
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Time in space
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58d 0h 52m |
| Selection | NASA Group 9 (1980) |
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Total EVAs
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9 |
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Total EVA time
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57h 55m |
| Missions | STS-61-B STS-27 STS-37 STS-55 STS-74 STS-88 STS-110 |
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Mission insignia
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Jerry Lynn Ross, born on January 20, 1948, in Crown Point, Indiana, is a retired officer from the United States Air Force. He is also an engineer and a former NASA astronaut. Jerry Ross has flown on seven Space Shuttle missions. This makes him one of only two people to have flown into space so many times! He shares this amazing record with Franklin Chang-Díaz.
His personal items, including papers and photos, are kept at Purdue University. In May 2014, he was honored by being added to the Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Jerry Ross wrote a book called Spacewalker: My Journey in Space and Faith as NASA's Record-Setting Frequent Flyer. He wrote it with John Norberg. Another astronaut, Chris Hadfield, described Ross as a truly trustworthy and brave astronaut in his own book.
Contents
Education and Early Life
Jerry Ross finished high school in Crown Point, Indiana, in 1966. He then went to Purdue University. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970. Later, in 1972, he received a Master of Science degree. Both of his degrees were in Mechanical Engineering. While at Purdue, he was part of the Purdue Reamer Club.
Military Career in the Air Force
Jerry Ross joined the Air Force after graduating from Purdue in 1970. He worked at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. There, he helped design parts for jet engines. He also managed projects for new missile systems.
From 1974 to 1975, he was a manager in the lab. In 1976, he became a flight test engineer. He worked at Edwards Air Force Base in California. He helped test different aircraft, including the B-1 Lancer bomber. He was in charge of testing how the B-1 aircraft flew. He also trained other engineers for these tests.
Ross has flown in 21 different types of airplanes. He has a private pilot's license. He has spent over 3,900 hours flying, mostly in military planes. He retired from the Air Force on March 31, 2000.
Becoming a NASA Astronaut
In 1979, Jerry Ross started working at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. He helped plan how payloads, or cargo, would be carried on the Space Shuttle. In May 1980, NASA chose him to become an astronaut.
As an astronaut, he worked on many important tasks. He helped with spacewalks, also known as EVAs. He also worked with the Space Shuttle's robotic arm, called the Remote Manipulator System. He was a support crew member for several early Shuttle missions. He also served as a CAPCOM, which means he talked to the astronauts in space from mission control.
Jerry Ross was even chosen for a mission called STS-62-A. This was supposed to be the first Shuttle launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base. However, the mission was canceled after the sad Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Space Shuttle Missions
Jerry Ross flew on seven Space Shuttle missions. He was a mission specialist on STS 61-B (1985), STS-27 (1988), and STS-37 (1991). He was the Payload Commander on STS-55 (1993). He also flew as a mission specialist on STS-74 (1995), STS-88 (1998), and STS-110 (2002).
He has spent over 1,393 hours in space. This includes 57 hours and 55 minutes on nine spacewalks. He held the U.S. record for spacewalks for a long time. Later, astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria broke his record. Jerry Ross also holds the record for flying on the same Space Shuttle, Atlantis, five times.
Jerry Ross retired from NASA on January 28, 2012. He was the first person to launch into space seven times.
STS-61-B: First Spacewalks
STS-61-B on Atlantis launched at night on November 26, 1985. During this mission, the crew put three communication satellites into space. They also did many experiments. Jerry Ross did two spacewalks, each lasting six hours. He showed how to build parts of a space station while outside the Shuttle. After 165 hours in space, Atlantis landed on December 3, 1985.
STS-27: A Secret Mission
STS-27 on Atlantis launched on December 2, 1988. This mission carried a secret payload for the United States Department of Defense. After 105 hours in space, the mission ended on December 6, 1988. This flight is known for the serious damage the Shuttle's heat shield tiles got during launch.
STS-37: Fixing a Telescope
STS-37 on Atlantis launched on April 5, 1991. The crew deployed the huge Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. Jerry Ross performed two spacewalks. They lasted a total of 10 hours and 49 minutes. He helped to manually open the telescope's antenna, which was stuck. He also tested new equipment for the future Space Station Freedom. The mission ended on April 11, 1991, after 143 hours.
STS-55: Science in Space
STS-55 on Columbia launched on April 26, 1993. Jerry Ross was the Payload Commander for this mission. They conducted almost 90 experiments. These experiments studied life sciences, materials science, physics, and robotics. Columbia landed on May 6, 1993, after 239 hours in space.
STS-74: Visiting Mir Space Station
STS-74 on Atlantis launched on November 12, 1995. This was NASA's second time docking with the Russian Mir Space Station. During the eight-day flight, the crew attached a special docking module to Mir. They also moved supplies and experiment equipment between Atlantis and Mir. Atlantis landed on November 20, after 196 hours in space.
STS-88: Building the ISS
STS-88 on Endeavour launched on December 4, 1998. This was the very first mission to start building the International Space Station (ISS). During this 12-day mission, the U.S.-built Unity module was connected to the Russian Zarya module. Jerry Ross did three spacewalks. These spacewalks lasted a total of 21 hours and 22 minutes. He connected cables and attached tools to the station. The mission ended on December 15, 1998, after 283 hours.
STS-110: More ISS Construction
STS-110 on Atlantis launched on April 8, 2002. This was the 13th Shuttle mission to visit the ISS. This mission delivered and installed a large part called the S0 Truss. This was also the first time the station's robotic arm was used to move spacewalkers around. Jerry Ross performed two spacewalks. These spacewalks lasted a total of 14 hours and 9 minutes. The mission lasted 259 hours and 42 minutes.
Organizations and Awards
Jerry Ross is a member of several important groups. He is a lifetime member of the Association of Space Explorers. He is also part of the Purdue Alumni Association.
He has received many awards and honors, including:
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- He was a Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School.
- He received 15 NASA medals.
- He won the American Astronautical Society Victor A. Prather Award for his spacewalks.
- He also received the Flight Achievement Award multiple times.
- Purdue University gave him an Honorary Doctor of Science degree.
- An elementary school in Crown Point, Indiana, the Jerry Ross Elementary School, is named after him.
