John D. Olivas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Danny Olivas
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John Daniel Olivas
May 25, 1966 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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27d 17h 5m |
| Selection | NASA Group 17 (1998) |
| Missions | STS-117 STS-128 |
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Mission insignia
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Materials science |
| Thesis | Surface Study of Process Contamination of Plasma Spray Metal Deposition Process (1996) |
| Doctoral advisor | Enrique Barrera |
John Daniel "Danny" Olivas is an American engineer and a former NASA astronaut. He was born on May 25, 1966, in North Hollywood, California. Danny Olivas flew on two exciting space shuttle missions, STS-117 and STS-128. During his time as an astronaut, he completed more than five spacewalks, spending over 34 hours outside the spacecraft! He also received two special awards called NASA Space Flight Medals.
After his time as an astronaut, in 2013, Olivas joined the University of Texas at El Paso. There, he became the Director of the Center for the Advancement of Space Safety and Mission Assurance Research. He helps guide new space projects at the university. In 2020, Danny and his wife, Marie, started the Space for Everyone Foundation. This foundation helps immigrant families with their health and well-being.
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About Danny Olivas
Danny Olivas grew up in El Paso, Texas. He studied mechanical engineering and materials science at several universities. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Science, from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1989. Later, he received a Master of Science degree from the University of Houston in 1993. Finally, he earned his doctorate from Rice University in 1996.
In 2006, the University of Texas at El Paso gave him their highest honor, naming him a Distinguished Alumni. In 2019, he appeared on the TV show Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? on Nickelodeon.
Becoming a NASA Astronaut
NASA chose Danny Olivas to become an astronaut in 1998. His training was very intense and included many different activities. He learned about the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS). He also had to learn how to fly a T-38 jet and practice survival skills for water and wilderness.
From 1999 to 2002, he worked with robots, focusing on the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator Robot. This robot helps with tasks in space. From 2002 to 2005, he worked on spacewalks (called EVA, or Extra-vehicular activity). He helped develop new tools and ways to fix the Space Shuttle while it was in orbit.
Olivas also spent time living underwater as an aquanaut. In July 2002, he was part of the NEEMO 3 mission in the Aquarius underwater laboratory. He also participated in the NEEMO 8 mission in April 2005. These underwater missions help astronauts prepare for living and working in space. In 2006, Olivas helped make sure that new parts for the Space Station would fit together correctly.
Space Missions and Spacewalks
STS-117 Mission
Danny Olivas's first space mission was STS-117 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. This mission launched on June 8, 2007. It was the 118th Shuttle mission and the 21st time a Shuttle visited the International Space Station. The crew delivered new parts to the ISS, including solar arrays and batteries.
During this mission, Danny Olivas performed two spacewalks. He spent 14 hours and 13 minutes working outside the Shuttle. One important task was the first-ever repair of the Space Shuttle Atlantis while it was in orbit. The mission lasted 13 days, 20 hours, and 20 minutes, traveling over 5.8 million miles.
STS-128 Mission
Olivas flew on his second mission, STS-128, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. This mission launched on August 28, 2009. Discovery carried a special module filled with science equipment and storage racks to the ISS.
During STS-128, Danny Olivas took part in three more spacewalks. These spacewalks involved removing and replacing an experiment outside the ESA's Columbus module. They also brought back an empty ammonia tank.
See also
In Spanish: John D. Olivas para niños
- List of Hispanic astronauts
