Susan Kilrain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susan Kilrain
|
|
|---|---|
Kilrain in 2000
|
|
| Born |
Susan Leigh Still
October 24, 1961 Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
|
| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
| Rank | Commander, USN |
|
Time in space
|
19d 15h 58m |
| Selection | NASA Group 15 (1994) |
| Missions | STS-83 STS-94 |
|
Mission insignia
|
  |
Susan Kilrain (born Susan Leigh Still on October 24, 1961) is an American aerospace engineer, a United States Navy officer, and a NASA astronaut. She holds the record as the youngest person to pilot a Space Shuttle. Susan has flown over 3,000 hours in various aircraft. She also received the Defense Superior Service Medal for her achievements.
Contents
Susan Kilrain's Early Life and Education
Susan Kilrain was born in Augusta, Georgia, on October 24, 1961. She grew up with eight brothers, being the only girl in her family. From a young age, Susan dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Her family strongly supported this big dream.
Learning to Fly
Susan started flying planes while still in high school. During her senior year, she took a month off. In that time, she completed her training to become a private pilot. This early experience helped set her on her path.
College and Beyond
In 1979, Susan graduated from the Walnut Hill School in Natick, Massachusetts. She then went on to college. In 1982, she earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She continued her studies, getting a master's degree in aerospace engineering in 1985. This second degree was from the Georgia Institute of Technology. While in graduate school, she worked for Lockheed Corporation. She was a Wind Tunnel Project Officer, helping with aircraft design.
In 1985, Susan spoke with astronaut Dick Scobee. He advised her to join the military as a pilot. This would increase her chances of becoming an astronaut. Susan joined the United States Navy that same year. She worked hard to fit in and achieve her goal.
Military Pilot Career
Susan became a Naval Aviator in 1987. She was chosen to be a flight instructor, teaching others to fly the TA-4J Skyhawk. Later, she flew EA-6A Electric Intruders. These planes were used for electronic warfare. She completed the United States Naval Test Pilot School. This school trains pilots to test new aircraft. After that, she trained to fly the F-14 Tomcat. Throughout her Navy career, Susan flew more than 3,000 hours. She piloted over 30 different types of aircraft.
NASA Selection and Missions
In 1995, NASA selected Susan Kilrain for the 15th Astronaut Training Group. This group was chosen to become pilots and engineers for Space Shuttle flights. After a year of intense training, she worked on technical issues for the Astronaut Office. She also served as a spacecraft communicator, known as a CAPCOM. In this role, she talked to astronauts in space from mission control during launches and landings.
Flying to Space: STS-83 and STS-94
Susan flew into space twice in 1997 as a Space Shuttle pilot. Her first mission was STS-83, from April 4 to 8, 1997. This mission carried the Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1). It had 33 experiments to study how things behave in space. The goal was to test equipment for the future International Space Station. This mission was cut short due to a problem with a fuel cell. It lasted about 95 hours, traveling 1.5 million miles.
Her second mission was STS-94, from July 1 to 17, 1997. This was a re-flight of the MSL-1 Spacelab mission. It focused on studying materials and how things burn in microgravity. This mission lasted much longer, about 376 hours. The shuttle traveled 6.3 million miles and orbited Earth 251 times.
Susan Kilrain spent a total of 472 hours in space across her two missions. She is the second woman to ever pilot a Space Shuttle. She described seeing Earth from space as "every dream come true."
Life After Space
Susan retired from the Astronaut Office in December 2002. She then retired from the US Navy in 2005.
Motivational Speaker and Space Camps
Since retiring, Susan works as a motivational speaker. She shares her experiences and inspires others. She has participated in a space camp called Space 2101. In 2022, she was at the Dubai International Academy. In 2023, she visited King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. During the Dubai space camp, 2,299 students set a Guinness World Record. They achieved "the world's largest space exploration lesson across multiple venues."
Family and Hobbies
Susan Kilrain is married to Vice Admiral Colin J. Kilrain. They have four children and live in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Susan enjoys photography and traveling. She also loves martial arts, triathlons, and playing the piano.
She co-authored a children's book called An Unlikely Astronaut. She wrote it with space historian Francis French.
Awards and Honors
Susan Kilrain has received many awards and honors throughout her career.
- Distinguished Graduate of Naval Aviation
- Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School, Class 103
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Navy Commendation Medal
- Navy Achievement Medal
- NASA Space Flight Medal (awarded twice)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award
- Daughters of the American Revolution – Good Scout Award (1997)
In 2020, the newspaper USA Today recognized her as a "woman of the century." This honor celebrated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in the United States.
See also
In Spanish: Susan Still Kilrain para niños
