Mary Ellen Weber facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Weber
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| Born |
Mary Ellen Weber
August 24, 1962 |
| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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18d 18h 30m |
| Selection | NASA Group 14 (1992) |
| Missions | STS-70 STS-101 |
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Mission insignia
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Mary Ellen Weber (born August 24, 1962) is an American scientist and a former NASA astronaut. She is also an executive and aviator.
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Early Life and Education
Mary Ellen Weber was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She grew up in Bedford Heights, Ohio. She finished Bedford High School in 1980.
She went to Purdue University and earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in chemical engineering in 1984. Later, she got her Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1988. In 2002, she earned an M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) from Southern Methodist University.
Before Becoming an Astronaut
Before joining NASA, Mary Weber worked as a chemical engineering intern. She worked at companies like Ohio Edison and 3M.
For her Ph.D. research, she studied how chemicals react with silicon. She also worked at Texas Instruments. There, she helped create new ways to make computer chips. She holds one patent and has written nine scientific papers.
NASA Career
NASA chose Mary Weber to be an astronaut in 1992. She was part of the fourteenth group of astronauts. She worked at NASA for ten years.
During her time at NASA, she held many important jobs. She helped turn space technology into useful products. She also worked with the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. She helped manage contracts for the Biotechnology Program. She also worked on plans for research facilities on the International Space Station.
Weber helped prepare Space Shuttle launches. She also helped develop science experiments for space. She trained other astronauts for their science tasks. She flew on two space missions: STS-70 and STS-101. She was one of the youngest people to fly in space. She spent over 450 hours in space. She received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for her work. She left NASA in December 2002.
Spaceflight Experience
STS-70 Mission
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Mary Weber was a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Discovery flight, STS-70. The mission launched on July 13, 1995.
The main goal of STS-70 was to put a very important NASA communications satellite into orbit. This satellite, called TDRS-G, helps with communication from space. Mary Weber was in charge of deploying this satellite.
She also did special biotechnology experiments. She grew colon cancer tissues in space. This was a new achievement at the time. She was also ready to perform a spacewalk if needed. The STS-70 mission landed on July 22, 1995. The shuttle traveled 3.7 million miles in about 9 days. This mission was also known as the "Woodpecker flight" because woodpeckers caused a launch delay.
STS-101 Mission
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Mary Weber was also a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Atlantis flight, STS-101. This mission launched on May 19, 2000.
STS-101 was very important for building the International Space Station (ISS). The crew repaired and installed new parts for the ISS. They fixed electrical systems and life-support equipment. They also boosted the Station to a safer orbit.
Mary Weber helped with the launch and landing of the shuttle. She also helped guide the shuttle's robotic arm. This arm moved spacewalking astronauts along the ISS. She also managed the transfer of thousands of pounds of equipment. The STS-101 mission landed on May 29, 2000. The shuttle traveled 4.1 million miles in about 10 days.
After NASA
After leaving NASA, Mary Weber started her own company, Stellar Strategies, LLC. She helps businesses with important projects. She also gives talks to many different groups of people.
Before starting her company, she worked at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She was a vice president there for nine years.
Personal Life
Mary Weber is married to Jerome Elkind. He is from Bayonne, New Jersey.
She loves skydiving and has done nearly 6,000 skydives. She has won 13 medals at the U.S. National Skydiving Championships. In 2002, she set a world record. She was part of the largest freefall formation with 300 skydivers. She is also a pilot, a skier, and a scuba diver.
See also
In Spanish: Mary Ellen Weber para niños
