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) |
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Total EVAs
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5 |
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Total EVA time
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34h, 28m |
| 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, born on May 25, 1966, is an American engineer and a former astronaut for NASA. He flew on two exciting space shuttle missions, STS-117 and STS-128. During his career, he completed more than five spacewalks, spending a total of 34 hours and 28 minutes working outside the spacecraft. For his amazing work, he received two NASA Space Flight Medals.
In 2013, Dr. Olivas became the Director of the Center for the Advancement of Space Safety and Mission Assurance Research at the University of Texas at El Paso. In this role, he helped guide new space projects at the university. In 2020, Dr. Olivas and his wife, Marie, started the Space for Everyone Foundation. This foundation helps 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 earned several degrees. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1989. He then earned a master's degree from the University of Houston in 1993. Finally, he completed his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and materials science from Rice University in 1996. His family has roots in Chihuahua, Mexico.
In 2006, his former university, UTEP, gave him a special award called the Distinguished Alumni Award. This is the highest honor a former student can receive. From 2013, he also served as the Director for Space Safety and Mission Assurance Research at UTEP, helping with space projects. In 2019, he even appeared on the TV show Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? on Nickelodeon!
Danny Olivas: A NASA Astronaut
NASA chose Danny Olivas to become an astronaut in 1998. His training was very thorough! It included learning about the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. He also had to learn how to fly T-38 jets. He practiced survival skills for water and wilderness environments.
From 1999 to 2002, he worked with robots in space. He helped lead projects for the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator Robot and the Mobile Transporter. Between 2002 and 2005, he focused on spacewalks, also known as EVAs. He helped develop new tools and methods to repair the Space Shuttle while it was in orbit.
In July 2002, he became an 'aquanaut' during the NEEMO 3 mission. This meant he lived and worked underwater in the Aquarius underwater laboratory. It was like practicing for space! He also participated in the NEEMO 8 mission in April 2005. In 2006, Olivas led a team that made sure new parts for the Space Station fit together correctly.
Adventures in Space
Mission STS-117: Space Shuttle Atlantis
His first space mission was STS-117 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. This mission took place from June 8 to 22, 2007. It was the 118th flight for the Shuttle program. It was also the 21st time a shuttle visited the International Space Station (ISS). The crew delivered important parts, including new solar panels and batteries, to the ISS.
During this mission, a spacewalk was performed to fix the Space Shuttle Atlantis while it was in orbit. This was a very important repair! Danny Olivas performed two spacewalks on this mission. He spent 14 hours and 13 minutes working outside the shuttle. The mission also brought a new crew member to the ISS and returned another one to Earth. After traveling over 5.8 million miles, the Atlantis landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The entire mission lasted 13 days, 20 hours, and 20 minutes.
Mission STS-128: Space Shuttle Discovery
Danny Olivas was a mission specialist on his second flight, STS-128. This mission was aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. It launched on August 28, 2009. The Discovery carried a special module filled with science experiments and storage racks to the ISS.
During this mission, astronauts performed three spacewalks. They replaced 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
