Susan Kilrain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susan Kilrain
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Kilrain in 2000
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| Born |
Susan Leigh Still
October 24, 1961 Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
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| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
| Rank | Commander, USN |
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Time in space
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19d 15h 58m |
| Selection | NASA Group 15 (1994) |
| Missions | STS-83 STS-94 |
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Mission insignia
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Susan Kilrain (born Susan Leigh Still, 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 ever pilot a Space Shuttle. Susan has spent over 3,000 hours flying different aircraft. She also received the Defense Superior Service Medal for her achievements.
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Who is Susan Kilrain?
Susan Kilrain was born on October 24, 1961, in Augusta, Georgia. She grew up with eight brothers. From a young age, Susan dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Her family strongly supported this dream. She even started flying planes while still in high school. During her last year, she took a month off to train and become a private pilot.
Susan's Education and Early Career
Susan graduated from the Walnut Hill School in Natick, Massachusetts, in 1979. In 1982, she earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She then continued her studies at Georgia Institute of Technology, where she received her master's degree in aerospace engineering in 1985. While in graduate school, she worked for Lockheed Corporation. There, she was a Wind Tunnel Project Officer.
In 1985, Susan met Dick Scobee, a space shuttle commander. He advised her to join the military as a pilot. This would increase her chances of becoming an astronaut. She joined the US Navy in 1985. Susan realized that the Navy was not always easy for women at that time. She focused on her goal to become an astronaut.
Susan retired from the Astronaut Office in December 2002. She left the US Navy in 2005.
What Does Susan Kilrain Do Now?
Since retiring, Susan Kilrain works as a motivational speaker. She inspires people with her story. She has taken part in a special program called Space 2101. This space camp was held in Dubai in 2022. In 2023, it took place at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
During the Dubai space camp, 2,299 students from 108 countries participated. They set a Guinness World Record. It was for "the world's largest space exploration lesson across multiple venues."
Susan's Family Life
Susan Kilrain is married to Vice Admiral Colin J. Kilrain. They have four children. The family lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Susan enjoys photography, traveling, and martial arts. She also loves triathlons and playing the piano.
Susan Kilrain also co-wrote a children's book. It is called An Unlikely Astronaut. She wrote it with space historian Francis French.
Susan's Military Journey
Susan Kilrain joined the US Navy in 1985. In 1987, she became a Naval Aviator, meaning she was a trained pilot. She was chosen to be a flight instructor for the TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft.
Later, she flew EA-6A Electric Intruders. These were for the Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 33 (VAQ-33) in Key West, Florida. After finishing the United States Naval Test Pilot School in Maryland, she joined Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101). There, she trained on the F-14 Tomcat jet. Throughout her career, Susan has flown over 3,000 hours. She has piloted more than 30 different types of aircraft.
Susan's NASA Career
In 1995, NASA selected Susan Kilrain to be part of the 15th Astronaut Training Group. This group was chosen to become pilots, engineers, and astronauts for space shuttle missions. After a year of intense training, she worked on technical issues for the Astronaut Office. She also served as a spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM). This meant she talked to astronauts in space from mission control during launches and landings.
Flying to Space: STS-83 and STS-94
In 1997, Susan flew to space twice as a space shuttle pilot. Her first mission was STS-83, from April 4 to 8, 1997. This mission carried a Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL-1) into space. It had 33 experiments to study how things behave in microgravity (very low gravity). The goal was to test equipment for the future International Space Station.
The STS-83 mission was supposed to last 16 days. However, it was cut short due to a problem with one of the shuttle's power units. The mission lasted about 95 hours and 12 minutes. The shuttle traveled 1.5 million miles and orbited Earth 63 times.
In July 1997, the STS-83 mission was re-flown as STS-94. This mission also focused on the MSL-1 Spacelab. It studied materials and combustion science (how things burn) in microgravity. This mission lasted much longer: 376 hours and 45 minutes. The shuttle traveled 6.3 million miles and orbited Earth 251 times.
Susan Kilrain has spent a total of 472 hours in space across her two missions. She is the second woman to ever pilot a space shuttle. She shared her feelings about seeing Earth from space for the first time: "Looking down at Earth from space the first time … it's like every dream come true. Even though you’ve seen pictures of Earth from space, it's not the same as being in space and looking at Earth. It was very rewarding."
Awards and Special Recognitions
Susan Kilrain has received many awards and honors throughout her career:
- Distinguished Graduate of Naval Aviation – from the Officer Candidate School.
- 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 Medals – She received this award twice.
- National Defense Service Medal.
- Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award – from the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce.
- Daughters of the American Revolution – Good Scout Award, in 1997.
In 2020, the newspaper USA Today named her a "Woman of the Century." This honor celebrated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in the United States.
Images for kids
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STS-83 mission patch
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STS-94 mission patch
See also
In Spanish: Susan Still Kilrain para niños
