Robert Crippen

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Robert L. Crippen
Robert Crippen.jpg
Born (1937-09-11) September 11, 1937 (age 84)
Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
StatusRetired
NationalityAmerican
Other namesRobert Laurel Crippen
Alma materUniversity of Texas at Austin, B.S. 1960
OccupationNaval aviator, test pilot
AwardsDfc-usa.jpg Congressional Space Medal of Honor NASA Distinguished Service Medal.jpg
Space career
USAF / NASA Astronaut
RankUS Navy O6 infobox.svg Captain, USN
Time in space
23d 13h 46m
Selection1966 USAF MOL Group 2
1969 NASA Group 7
MissionsSTS-1, STS-7, STS-41-C, STS-41-G
Mission insignia
Sts-1-patch.png Sts-7-patch.png STS-41-C patch.png STS-41-G patch.png
Retirement31 December 1991

Robert Laurel Crippen (born 11 September 1937) is an American retired naval officer and aviator, test pilot, aerospace engineer, and retired astronaut. He traveled into space four times: as Pilot of STS-1 in April 1981, the first Space Shuttle mission; and as Commander of STS-7 in June 1983, STS-41-C in April 1984, and STS-41-G in October 1984. He was also a part of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL), Skylab Medical Experiment Altitude Test (SMEAT), ASTP, and the Approach and Landing Tests (ALT) for the Space Shuttle. He did not go to space for any of those programs.

In 1986, Crippen participated in the recovery operations for the remains of crew members after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. He was also on the commissions responsible for determining the cause of the accident.

After retiring as an astronaut, Crippen worked his way through management at NASA, namely as Director, Space Shuttle, at NASA Headquarters, then Director of the Kennedy Space Center. He also went to Lockheed Martin and Thiokol Propulsion before retiring to private life in Florida.

Crippen has received several awards and honors, including the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 2006, and having an elementary school named after him in Porter, Texas. He is also a member of several organizations, including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP).

Early life and education[]

Robert Crippen was born in Beaumont, Texas, on 11 September 1937.[1] After graduating from New Caney High School in New Caney, Texas in 1955, Crippen went to the University of Texas at Austin to major in Aerospace Engineering. In 1960, he graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree.[1][2][3] He was selected as a member of the Texas Alpha chapter of Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Gamma Tau.[4]

Crippen became interested in flying and computers at a very early age. He attended the first computer programming class held at the University of Texas. Throughout his career in the military and at NASA, he worked on computer programming, including programs such as the Manned Orbiting Laboratory, Skylab and the Space Shuttle.[5]

Military career[]

Crippen was commissioned through the United States Navy's Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) Program at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.[1] He also spent time at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Florida and the Naval Air Station Chase Field in Beeville, Texas. That is where he earned his wings. As a Naval Aviator from the summer of 1962 to the end of 1964, he made two deployments aboard the USS Independence, flying the A-4 Skyhawk in Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72). He later went to Edwards Air Force Base in California to attend the U.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School. After graduation, Crippen worked as an instructor at Edwards Air Force Base until October 1966 when he was picked for the U.S. Air Force's Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program.[1] He has spent more than 6,500 hours in the air as either a pilot or an astronaut.[2]

Manned Orbiting Laboratory[]

Main article: Manned Orbiting Laboratory
Crippen with a MOL spacesuit

The Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program was a follow-on to the X-20 Dyna-Soar program. A joint program between the United States Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the MOL program would send humans into space.[6]

Publicly, the MOL program was designed to determine the usefulness of man in space. Crews would be in orbit for about a month and they would be able to freely move about the laboratory.[7] The secret and primary mission was to perform reconnaissance missions on Soviet Union and China. The pilots were not told of this true mission, though they were later informed.[8]

When Crippen was selected for astronaut training in October 1966, he had to choose between the military and NASA, deciding to stay in the military to work on the MOL program. He felt that he would get lost at NASA due to the number of astronauts already in programs at the agency. There was an uncrewed flight on 3 November 1966. There were no crewed flights. After the MOL program was canceled, Crippen transferred to NASA to continue his career.[5]

The program was canceled in June 1969.[6] This was due to differing priorities within the military and space programs. The government decided to de-emphasize military involvement in the space program. However, developments like the space suit, waste management, and the high resolution camera were later used in various space programs going forward.[9]

NASA career[]

We were flying on a winged vehicle that would do reentry different than we had ever done before. So all of those were firsts. Test pilots truly love firsts.

—Crippen's Shuttle experiences[10]

After the MOL program was canceled, Crippen became part of NASA Astronaut Group 7 in September 1969.[1] He served as support for the Skylab 2, Skylab 3, and Skylab 4, as well as for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.[1]

Skylab Medical Experiment Altitude Test (SMEAT)[]

Main article: Skylab Medical Experiment Altitude Test

The Skylab Medical Experiment Altitude Test (SMEAT) was a 56-day mission (26 July through 19 September 1972), where astronauts Crippen, Karol J. Bobko and William E. Thornton were housed in a vacuum chamber to conduct medical experiments. The goal was to ensure that crews in space could handle minor medical emergencies, including dentistry.[5] SMEAT also was able to discover and fix the design flaws in the urine handling system for Skylab.[11] Crippen and the team worked to enlarge the original collection system design, which was too small, the collection system of which had burst at one point.[5]

Apollo-Soyuz Test Project[]

Main article: Apollo–Soyuz

The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) was a joint effort between the United States and the Soviet Union, designed to test rendezvous and docking capabilities if there were ever an emergency in space. [12] Crippen was the capsule communicator (CAPCOM) for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (as well as Skylab), during which time he developed a close association with Mission Operations and Flight Control.[5] On 15 July 1975, the United States launched a Saturn IB launch vehicle in an Apollo configuration into space. Two days later, it docked with a Soyuz spacecraft. [12]

Approach and Landing Tests (ALT)[]

Main article: Approach and Landing Tests

The Approach and Landing tests for the Space Shuttle were critical to the overall program, in which a crew tested the maneuverability and landing capabilities of the spacecraft. Launched from a 747 aircraft, the prototype Space Shuttle Enterprise was first tested on 12 August 1977. Astronauts Fred W. Haise Jr. and C. Gordon Fullerton piloted the Enterprise from about 7,300 m (24,000 ft) to the ground and landed at Edwards Air Force Base. A second crew of astronauts Joe H. Engle and Richard H. Truly alternated with Haise and Fullerton to test the Enterprise's capabilities.[13] Crippen was first assigned to family support with the testing, then progressed to being a chase pilot in a T-38.[5] The ALT program lasted about a year, testing all aspects of approach and touchdown from aerodynamics to maneuverability, gliding and landing characteristics.[14]

STS-1[]

Main article: STS-1
John Young and Crippen suiting up for the STS-1 mission.

Crippen was the pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-1, the first test flight of the Space Shuttle in orbit.[15] His job involved working with the Shuttle computers, electrical systems, and auxiliary power units. He was also responsible for the operating the payload bay doors.[5] STS-1 had several firsts: a crewed vehicle to be flown into Earth orbit without any prior non-crewed orbital testing; a crewed, winged vehicle to launch with solid rocket boosters;[15] a reentry vehicle to land on a conventional runway. It launched 12 April 1981 and landed 14 April 1981.[16]

STS-7[]

Main article: STS-7

Crippen served as the commander of STS-7, the second launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger, and headed a crew of five people. During flight, the team deployed the Canadian Anik-C2 satellite, as well as the Palapa-B1 satellite from Indonesia. They also used the Canadian Remote Manipulator System (Canadarm) to deploy and retrieve the Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS-01). They conducted formation flying with an untethered satellite (SPAS-02), operated a joint U.S.-German materials experiment (OSTA-2) and activated seven Getaway Special (GAS) experiments. Finally, they worked with the Continuous Flow Electrophoresis System (CFES) and the Monodisperse Latex Reactor (MLR). It launched 18 June 1983 and landed on 24 June 1983.

STS-41-C[]

Main article: STS-41-C

Crippen was the commander of Space Shuttle Challenger on STS-41-C, a seven-day mission during which the crew deployed the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). The crew also retrieved, repaired and redeployed Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite using the Canadarm. The flight also tested the Manned Maneuvering Units (MMU) through two extravehicular activities (EVAs). The team also operated the Cinema 360 and IMAX Camera Systems. Finally, the crew ran a student experiment on Honey bees. It launched 6 April 1984 and landed 13 April 1984.

STS-41-G[]

Main article: STS-41-G

On his final spaceflight, Crippen served as the commander of STS-41-G. During the eight-day flight, the Space Shuttle Challenger crew deployed the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS). They also performed scientific observations of the Earth with a Large Format Camera, and demonstrated potential satellite refueling with the Orbital Refueling System (ORS). Finally, the Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications-3 (OSTA-3) also had experiments for the crew to perform. It launched October 5, 1984 and landed October 13, 1984 at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.[17]

Post-spaceflight career[]

After STS-41-G, Crippen became deputy director of flight crew operations (1984-1986)[18] and was also named Commander of the STS-62-A mission which would have launched from the new SLC-6 facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. That mission was canceled after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, and SLC-6 was closed in 1989 when the Air Force went back to launching satellites on the Titan III and Titan IV launch vehicles.[citation needed]

Crippen was personally involved in the recovery efforts of the Challenger disaster.[19] Crippen was also a part of the STS-51-L Interim Mishap Review Board to examine the cause of the Challenger accident. The Board became a sub-team for the Rogers Commission Report, the team put together by President Ronald Reagan to investigate the accident.

Crippen was stationed at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) from July 1987 to December 1989 where he was Deputy Director of Shuttle Operations under Arnie Aldrich, Director of Space Shuttle. He was accountable for Shuttle missions and the return of the craft to KSC after landings at Edwards.

From January 1990 to January 1992, Crippen served as Director of the Space Shuttle program at NASA Headquarters. As such, he was responsible for the all aspects of the Shuttle program, including scheduling, budget and overall program management. Afterwards, he moved to KSC to become center director. This lasted from January 1992 through to January 1995.[18]

Post-NASA career[]

After leaving NASA, from April 1995 through November 1996, Crippen was the Vice President of Lockheed Martin Information Systems. His main focus was simulation work supporting the military.[5]

Crippen became President of Thiokol Propulsion from December 1996 through to April 2001. They were responsible for producing the Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motors.[20] Crippen enjoyed continuing his connection with the Space Shuttle program. In particular, he appreciated his role in working to improve the design of the solid rocket boosters to prevent another Challenger disaster.[5]

Organizations[]

Crippen is a fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), and the American Astronautical Society (AAS).[2] He served as President of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1999.[21] He was selected to be a member of Naval Aviators Golden Eagles in 2009. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2012 for leadership in human space flight and development of solid fueled rockets.[22]

Awards and honors[]

Sign of Crippen Elementary School in Porter, Texas, named after Robert Crippen

Crippen's has earned several awards throughout his career, including the SETP Iven C. Kincheloe Award (1981)[23] and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal (1972). In 1981, after the inaugural Space Shuttle flight, he received the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Award, the American Astronautical Society's Flight Achievement Award, the National Geographic Society's Gardiner Greene Hubbard Medal, and the American Legion's Distinguished Service Medal. He was awarded the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s Award for Distinguished Service (1982), the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy and the Harmon Trophy. He received the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross (1984) and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1984).[24] Finally, Crippen received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (1986).[25]

He also received NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, four NASA Space Flight Medals, and three NASA Distinguished Service Medals. In 1996, Crippen became the tenth individual to receive the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement's National Space Trophy. He was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1991 and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2001.[10][26] On 6 April 2006, he received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the highest award for spaceflight achievement.[27]

On 18 November 2015, at the National Business Aviation Association convention in Las Vegas, Crippen was announced as a 2016 Inductee into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.[28]

Personal life[]

Crippen was first married to Virginia Hill on 8 September 1959. They had three daughters together: Ellen Marie (born June 1962), Susan Lynn (born December 1964), and Linda Ruth (born May 1967).[1] On 7 November 1987, he married Pandora Puckett, NASA's first female lead Orbiter Project Engineer on the Space Shuttle Atlantis and Challenger at the Kennedy Space Center.[citation needed]

See also[]

  • List of spaceflight records

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Robert L. Crippen". The New York Times. 13 April 1981. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Robert L. Crippen NASA Biography" (PDF). NASA. July 2001. Retrieved 16 January 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ Alumni Profile Robert L. Crippen, BS ASE 1960 – website of the University of Texas at Austin
  4. ^ "Astronauts & Flight Scientists". Tau Beta Pi. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "NASA Johnson Space Center Oral History Project: Robert L. Crippen". NASA. 26 May 2006. Retrieved 30 December 2019. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ a b "Manned Orbiting Laboratory Declassified Photos". Space.com. 4 March 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  7. ^ "The DORIAN Files Revealed: A Compendium of the NRO's Manned Orbiting Laboratory Documents" (PDF). National Reconnaissance Office. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Biography Albert H. Crews" (PDF). Kenneth R. Crippen. 4 January 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  9. ^ "The Air Force's Space Program MOL". Apoll011Space. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Piloted the first space shuttle". New Mexico Museum of Space History. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  11. ^ "SMEAT-Space Patches". A-B Emblem. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Overview". NASA. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Enterprise: The Test Shuttle". Space.com. 9 October 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  14. ^ "Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests (ALT)". NASA. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  15. ^ a b "Flying Machine". Star-Gazette. 15 April 1982. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "STS-1 Overview". NASA. 29 June 2001. Retrieved 5 February 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  17. ^ "41-G (13)". NASA. Retrieved 13 February 2018. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  18. ^ a b "NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER ORAL HISTORY PROJECT BIOGRAPHICAL DATA SHEET" (PDF). Retrieved 2 February 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  19. ^ Barbree, Jay (25 January 2004). "Chapter 6: Raising heroes from the sea". Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  20. ^ "CRIPPEN JOINS THIOKOL AS ITS PRESIDENT". Deseret News. 22 October 1996. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  21. ^ "AIAA Leadership". AIAA. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  22. ^ "Alumnus Bob Crippen was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering". 27 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  23. ^ "Iven C Kincheloe Recipients". Society of Experimental Test Pilots. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  24. ^ "Robert L. Crippen CAPT USN (Ret.)" (PDF). The Golden Eagles. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  25. ^ "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement". achievement.org. American Academy of Achievement.
  26. ^ "Robert L. Crippen". Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  27. ^ "First Shuttle Pilot Crippen Gets Congressional Space Medal of Honor". NASA. 27 April 2006. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  28. ^ "Robert L. Crippen". The National Aviation Hall of Fame. Retrieved 31 December 2017. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

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