Sandra Magnus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sandra Magnus
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Magnus in 2011
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| Born | October 30, 1964 Belleville, Illinois, U.S.
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| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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157d 8h 42m |
| Selection | NASA Group 16 (1996) |
| Missions | STS-112 STS-126/119 (Expedition 18) STS-135 |
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Mission insignia
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Materials science |
| Thesis | An Investigation of the Relationship between the Thermochemistry and Emission Behavior of Thermionic Cathodes Based on the BaO-Sc₂O₃-WO₃ Ternary System (1996) |
| Doctoral advisor | Norman Hill |
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Sandra Hall Magnus, born on October 30, 1964, is an American engineer and a former NASA astronaut. She traveled to space three times! She was a mission specialist on STS-112 and STS-135. She also lived on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 18. Sandra is also a licensed amateur radio operator. From 2012 to 2018, she was a leader at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Education
Sandra Magnus grew up in Belleville, Illinois. She studied physics and electrical engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Later, she earned her PhD in materials science and engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1996. Her research was supported by NASA Lewis Research Center.
Engineering Career Before NASA
In the 1980s, before becoming an astronaut, Sandra Magnus worked as an engineer for McDonnell Douglas. She helped design stealth aircraft. She worked on the engine system for the A-12 Avenger II plane until the project was stopped in 1991.
Becoming a NASA Astronaut
NASA chose Sandra Magnus to become an astronaut in 1996. She trained for two years, from January 1997 to May 1998. After her training, she worked in the Astronaut Office. She helped coordinate with space agencies from Europe, Japan, and Brazil. In 1998, she worked in Russia, helping to develop and test equipment for space. In 2000, she was a CAPCOM for the International Space Station. This means she was the main communicator with astronauts in space.
First Space Mission: STS-112
Sandra Magnus flew her first space mission, STS-112, in October 2002. She was a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The main goal of this mission was to install a part called the S1 truss section onto the International Space Station. This part helps support the station. Sandra used the space station's robotic arm during three spacewalks. These spacewalks were needed to install and activate the S1 truss. Her first flight lasted about 11 days.
Survival Training for Astronauts
From January 29 to 31, 2006, Sandra Magnus took part in special survival training. She was with two other astronauts, Oleg Artemiev and Michael Barratt. This training tested their ability to survive in a wild area. This is important in case their Soyuz spacecraft had to make an emergency landing. She passed this tough test in a forest near Moscow, Russia.
Underwater Training: NEEMO 11
From September 16 to 22, 2006, Sandra Magnus led NASA's NEEMO 11 mission. This was an undersea expedition! It took place at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Aquarius laboratory, which is located off the coast of Florida.
With other astronauts, she practiced "moonwalks" underwater. They tested different ways to move around while wearing special suits. They also practiced how to communicate, navigate, collect rock samples, and build things. They even used remote-controlled robots, just like they might on the Moon.
Living in Space: Expedition 18
Sandra Magnus served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station during Expedition 18. She traveled to the station on STS-126, which launched on November 14, 2008. She returned to Earth on STS-119 on March 28, 2009. She spent 133 days living and working in orbit! NASA welcomed her back warmly after her long stay in space.
Final Space Mission: STS-135
On September 14, 2010, NASA announced that Sandra Magnus would be part of the STS-135 crew. This mission was originally planned as a rescue mission for STS-134, which was supposed to be the last Space Shuttle flight. However, in January 2011, NASA decided that STS-135 would be the final Space Shuttle mission itself.
The mission launched successfully on July 8, 2011, and landed on July 21. Sandra Magnus was one of the four astronauts on this historic final flight of the Space Shuttle program.
In September 2012, Sandra Magnus became the deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office.
After Her NASA Career
In October 2012, Sandra Magnus left the NASA Astronaut Corps. She became the executive director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). She held this important role until January 2018.
Later, from 2018 to 2019, she worked as a principal at AstroPlanetView. In 2019, she became a deputy director for Engineering in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
On February 9, 2021, Virgin Galactic announced that Sandra Magnus would join their Space Advisory Board. This board helps guide the company as it works to make space travel more open to everyone. She joined other famous astronauts like Chris Hadfield on this board.
Images for kids
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Sandra Magnus exercising in the Destiny laboratory module on the ISS.
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Magnus in the Cupola aboard the International Space Station during STS-135.
See also
In Spanish: Sandra Magnus para niños
