Lisa Nowak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lisa Nowak
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Nowak in 2005
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Lisa Marie Caputo
May 10, 1963 Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
| Rank | Commander, USN |
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Time in space
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12d 18h 36m |
| Selection | NASA Group 16 (1996) |
| Missions | STS-121 |
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Mission insignia
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Lisa Marie Nowak (born May 10, 1963) is an American aeronautical engineer. She is a former NASA astronaut and a retired officer from the United States Navy.
Nowak worked as a naval flight officer and test pilot in the Navy. NASA chose her to be an astronaut in 1996. She became a mission specialist in robotics. In July 2006, she flew into space on the STS-121 mission. During this mission, she was in charge of using the robotic arms of the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. After her space flight, Nowak's time with NASA and the Navy ended in 2007.
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Early life and education
Lisa Marie Caputo was born in Washington, D.C., on May 10, 1963. Her father, Alfredo F. Caputo, was a computer consultant. Her mother, Jane L. Caputo, was a biological specialist. Lisa and her two younger sisters grew up in Rockville, Maryland.
In 1969, she watched the Apollo 11 Moon mission. This made her very interested in the space program. As she grew up, she followed the Space Shuttle program closely. She was especially interested when women astronauts joined in 1978. She often visited the National Air and Space Museum.
Lisa went to Luxmanor Elementary School and Tilden Middle School. She also attended Charles W. Woodward High School in North Bethesda, Maryland. In high school, she decided she wanted to be an astronaut. She was a Girl Scout and a member of the French honor society. She was also on the math team and student council. She played field hockey and competed in track and field athletics. In 1981, she was named Student Athlete of the Year. She graduated as co-valedictorian, meaning she was one of the top students in her class.
She was accepted by Brown University and the United States Naval Academy. Her parents thought Brown was a good choice. But Lisa felt the Naval Academy would help her become an astronaut. Women were first allowed at Annapolis in 1976. By the time Lisa started in 1981, women were about 6 percent of the students. She competed on the track team there. She graduated on May 22, 1985. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering. She then became an ensign in the United States Navy.
For her first job, Lisa chose to work at the Johnson Space Center. She was an aerospace engineer at Ellington Air Force Base in Texas. Six Space Shuttles launched during this time. She was impressed by how excited everyone was about their work.
In December 1985, Lisa went to Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. This was for flight training. Women were not allowed in combat jobs yet. But getting into flight training was a big achievement. She trained on different planes. She became a naval flight officer (NFO) in June 1987.
Her NFO training continued at the Electronic Warfare School. She learned to fly electronic warfare aircraft. She then went to Naval Air Station Lemoore. There, she learned to use the electronic systems on the LTV EA-7L Corsair II. On April 6, 1988, she married Richard T. Nowak. He was also an Annapolis classmate. She then changed her last name to Nowak.
Her next job was with Electronic Warfare Aggressor Squadron 34 (VAQ-34). This was at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California. She flew the Corsair II and the Douglas ERA-3B Skywarrior. She supported the U.S. Pacific Fleet with reconnaissance missions. She became a mission commander.
In 1990, Nowak went to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. She earned a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering. She also got a degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering in September 1992. She had a son in February 1992. She then became an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer. She was chosen to attend the United States Naval Test Pilot School in Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. She had applied six times for this school. She graduated in June 1994.
She then worked as an aircraft systems project officer. She helped develop the F/A-18 Hornet and EA-6B Prowler. Her next job was with the Naval Air Systems Command. She helped get new systems for Navy aircraft. During her Navy career, Nowak flew over 1,500 hours. She flew in more than 30 different aircraft. She received several awards for her service. These included the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal.
NASA career
Astronaut training
On June 15, 1995, NASA announced it was choosing new astronauts. As a Navy officer, Nowak had to apply through a special board. Her application was approved and sent to NASA. NASA received over 2,400 applications. In early 1996, Nowak was one of 150 finalists. She went to Johnson Space Center for interviews and medical checks.
On May 1, 1996, NASA announced 35 new astronaut candidates. Nowak was one of them. This group, the 16th, was the largest since 1978. They started astronaut training on August 12, 1996. Nine international astronauts joined them. They called themselves "The Sardines" because there were so many of them.
Nowak and her family moved to Texas. Her husband, also a Navy flight officer, left active duty in 1998. He became a space communications contractor. He worked at the Johnson Space Center as a flight controller.
Astronaut training included survival training. They also took a trip to the Grand Canyon to study geology. They learned about the Space Shuttle's many systems. As a mission specialist, she had to fly at least four hours a month. This was in NASA's Northrop T-38 Talon aircraft. Training also happened in the Weightless Environment Training Facility. This pool helps astronauts practice in a weightless environment. They also trained in the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, called the Vomit Comet. This plane flies in a way that makes you feel weightless. She finished her training in August 1998.
In early 2001, Nowak became pregnant with twins. At the Astronaut Office, she focused on using the Space Shuttle's robotic arm. She also worked in the CAPCOM Branch. These astronauts talk to the spacecraft from mission control. She did this during the STS-100 mission in April 2001. The crew installed a robot arm on the International Space Station (ISS). In October 2001, she gave birth to twin daughters. Nowak and her husband took turns with work. This way, one parent was always with the children. This changed when her husband was called back to active duty in 2002. Nowak became a single mother with three young children.
On December 12, 2002, NASA announced the crew for STS-118. This mission was planned for November 2003. The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster happened on February 1, 2003. Seven astronauts died on the STS-107 mission. Three were from Nowak's astronaut class. NASA provides support to families of astronauts who die. Nowak helped the family of her close friend, Laurel Clark.
The disaster caused many changes to schedules and equipment. A second "Return to Flight" mission was added. This mission, STS-121, would be the second flight after the Columbia disaster. STS-121 focused on testing new equipment. It also aimed to make Space Shuttle flights safer. It would also resupply the ISS.
In January 2004, Nowak took part in cold weather survival training. This was an eleven-day course in Canada. She trained with other astronauts and cosmonauts. They learned survival skills from the Canadian Armed Forces. Then they were left in the wilderness in northern Quebec. They had to find their way back on foot. They covered 20 kilometers (12 miles) in eleven days.
Space flight
NASA announced the crew for STS-121 in December 2003. On November 18, 2004, Nowak and Stephanie Wilson joined the crew. They were assigned to control the robotic arms. These were on the Space Shuttle and the ISS. The STS-121 mission was delayed several times. This was due to problems with the external tank.
A party was held for Nowak before the launch. Her parents, husband, and children attended. She packed special items for the flight. These included a small owl figurine from her elementary school. She also brought a banner from her high school.
On July 1, 2006, the STS-121 crew boarded Discovery. Nowak was the last to enter the spacecraft. She sat as the flight engineer. The launch was stopped due to thunderstorms. A second attempt was also canceled. STS-121 successfully launched on July 4 at 2:38 PM. It was the first time a Space Shuttle launched on Independence Day.
After reaching orbit, Nowak felt sick. This is a common symptom of space adaptation syndrome. The first day in space was for checking the orbiter. The crew had seen debris falling during liftoff. Nowak used the robotic arm to inspect the spacecraft. They found a white spot on the nose cap. Engineers thought it might be from an impact. But it was just bird droppings.
Discovery docked with the ISS. Wilson and Nowak used the Canadarm to unload the Leonardo module. This module held 7,400 pounds (3,357 kg) of equipment. It included a freezer for experiments. It also had an Oxygen Generation System. This system helps the ISS support more crew members. Nowak did her assigned tasks.
While Discovery was docked, the crew did three spacewalks. Women astronauts were not chosen for spacewalks at that time. This was because small space suit sizes were not available. Women astronauts were given other tasks, like operating robotic arms. Nowak operated the robotic arm from the Destiny laboratory on the ISS. This arm was larger and harder to use than the one on the Space Shuttle.
About 4,300 pounds (1,950 kg) of trash and broken equipment were put into Leonardo. Nowak and Wilson used the robotic arm to put the module back into Discovery's cargo bay. The arm was then used to check the Space Shuttle one last time. This was to make sure no damage was done by micrometeorites. Discovery undocked from the ISS. It began its two-day return to Earth. Nowak spent 12 days, 18 hours, and 36 minutes in space. She traveled 5 million miles (8 million km). Discovery landed at the Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center on July 17.
Homecoming
The STS-121 crew took part in many public events. They attended X Games XII in Los Angeles. They also went to a Houston Astros baseball game. Nowak threw a ceremonial first pitch. On September 9, Nowak attended a party at the Naval Academy. She gave her classmates the Class of 1985 flag she carried into space. She also signed photographs. At halftime, she gave Annapolis a Navy jersey she had carried on Discovery.
She gave an interview to Ladies' Home Journal. She also presented awards at NASA's Stennis Space Center. She visited her old elementary and middle schools. She spoke to the children there. She also attended celebrations at Annapolis. These were for the 30th anniversary of women being admitted. In December, the STS-121 crew visited the UK. They spoke at universities and the National Space Centre.
Later career
Nowak's marriage ended, and she separated from her husband in January 2007. In February 2007, Nowak was arrested in Orlando, Florida. Her assignment as an astronaut was ended by NASA on March 7, 2007. In November 2009, Nowak accepted a plea deal. She pleaded guilty to felony burglary and misdemeanor battery. She received a year of probation. In March 2011, a court agreed to seal the records of her case. This was to protect her family.
After the incident, the Navy wanted Nowak to return from NASA. She remained on active duty with the Navy. She worked on developing flight training for the Navy. Nowak received the NASA Space Flight Medal twice. She and her husband Richard divorced in June 2008. She was given full care of their three children.
A Navy board recommended that Nowak be separated from the Navy. They also recommended her rank be changed from captain to commander. This recommendation was reviewed by Navy officials. On July 28, 2011, the Assistant Secretary of Navy confirmed the decision. He stated that Nowak's actions "fell well short" of what is expected of Navy officers. She retired from the Navy with the rank of commander on September 1, 2011.
Astronaut Michael Coats, a former director of the Johnson Space Center, said Nowak had difficulty finding work after leaving the Navy. This was because her case was well-known. In 2017, People magazine reported that Nowak was living quietly in Texas. She was working in the private sector. Her attorney said she was "doing well."
See also
In Spanish: Lisa Nowak para niños
