DFRC photo release 04-61: Astronauts visit to NASA Dryden

NASA News
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
Dryden Flight Research Center
P.O. Box 273
Edwards, California 93523
Phone 661-276-3449
FAX 661-276-3566 _
Nov. 24, 2004
Alan Brown
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
Phone: 661/276-2665


PHOTO RELEASE: 04-61

NEW EXPLORERS ENERGIZED BY VISIT TO NASA DRYDEN

NASA's newest class of astronaut trainees recently visited the NASA
Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base to learn how
the desert aeronautical research facility contributes to NASA's
overall goals of exploration and research.

The astronaut candidates viewed advanced aeronautics projects at NASA
Dryden such as the F-15B Research Testbed aircraft, which is
currently being readied to support NASA's Space Shuttle return to
flight effort and for future sonic boom reduction flight experiments.
The trainees also visited Dryden's flight simulation lab facilities
and several in the group took turns piloting research aircraft
simulators. In addition to other research projects visited, the
enthusiastic candidates were treated to a tour of NASA's venerable
B-52B mothership aircraft, which is being retired after completing
its last research mission, the launch of the third X-43A on Nov. 16,
2004.

These new explorers will be the first astronauts focused from the
very beginning on realizing the Vision for Space Exploration to
return to the moon and journey beyond. The class includes three
military pilots, a Navy SEAL, an astrophysicist, two physicians, an
engineer and three new mission specialist-educator astronauts,
teachers who will help ensure there will always be a next generation
primed to explore.

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NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: High-resolution digital photos to support this
release are available electronically by contacting Alan Brown at NASA
Dryden public affairs at (661) 276-2665 or via e-mail at
.

CAPTIONS:

EC04-0328-1
NASA's new astronaut class takes a moment to smile for the camera in
front of an X-15 replica at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at
Edwards Air Force Base.
-- NASA photo by Tom Tschida

EC04-0328-2
NASA Dryden research pilot Dick Ewers describes flight research
projects to visiting astronaut candidates Dottie
Metcalf-Lindenburger, Jose Hernandez and Shannon Walker in front of
the solar-powered Pathfinder-Plus research aircraft.
-- NASA photo by Tom Tschida

EC04-0328-5
Astronaut candidates Tom Marshburn of NASA and Akihiko Hoshide of
Japan's space agency JAXA got up close and personal with the cockpit
of a NASA F/A-18 during a recent tour of NASA's Dryden Flight
Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base.
-- NASA photo by Tom Tschida

EC04-0333-12
NASA astronaut candidates Joseph Acaba (left) and Jose Hernandez
(right) checked out the flight deck of NASA's modified Boeing 747
Space Shuttle Carrier Aircraft during a recent tour of NASA's Dryden
Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
-- NASA photo by Tom Tschida

EC04-0333-7
Jose Hernandez, a member of the 2004 class of NASA astronaut
candidates, autographs a large photomural of a space shuttle on
landing approach during a get-acquainted tour at NASA's Dryden Flight
Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base. The mural features
signatures of almost all of the astronauts who have visited the
center over the past two decades.

-- NASA photo by Tom Tschida


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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info