Succeeds Shannon Lucid as NASA Chief Scientist
Administrator Sean
O'Keefe announced the selection of veteran astronaut, astronomer,
and astrophysicist Dr. John M. Grunsfeld as the agency's new Chief
Scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. He succeeded Dr.
Shannon Lucid, effective as of the announcement, Thursday
morning.
Grunsfeld, who played an integral role in two Space Shuttle
servicing missions to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), has studied
astronomy and physics throughout his career. As NASA's Chief
Scientist, he'll work to ensure the scientific merit of the
agency's programs.
"John has a deep interest in astronautical science and has the
hands-on experience to back up what he has taught in the
classroom," said Administrator O'Keefe. "With his background in
physics and astronomy, John is a natural selection to direct NASA's
important space-based science objectives."
After serving nearly two years in Washington, Lucid will return
to the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston to assist the agency's
Return to Flight efforts. "I asked Shannon to come to Washington to
help get our science priorities in order," added Administrator
O'Keefe. "Thanks to her leadership, and work with Mary Kicza, our
Assistant Administrator for Biological and Physical Research, our
research goals have focus and a clear direction. Shannon's insight
and candor will be missed in Washington, but I'm sure her
colleagues in Houston are looking forward to her return."
She was selected as Chief Scientist in February 2002. During her
tenure, one of Lucid's most important tasks was to work with the
offices of Biological and Physical Research, Earth Science, Space
Science, and Space Flight to develop a comprehensive plan for
prioritization of research on board the International Space
Station.
Lucid also updated NASA's science policy, which had not been
done since 1996. The policy stipulates science grants will be
peer-reviewed, and NASA scientists must compete for research
funding.
She joined NASA in 1978 and became an astronaut in August 1979.
She has flown as a mission specialist on STS-51G
(Discovery) in 1985, STS-34 (Atlantis) in 1989,
STS-43 (Atlantis) in 1991 and STS-58
(Columbia) in 1993. In 1996, she was flown to Mir
during STS-76 (Atlantis), where she served as an engineer
and conducted numerous life science and physical science
experiments during her stay in orbit.
When Lucid returned to
Earth after STS-79 (Atlantis), she had traveled more than
75 million miles and spent more than 188 days in orbit, an American
record at the time. For her extraordinary efforts, Lucid was
awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
Grunsfeld is a veteran of four Space Shuttle flights. In 1999
and 2002 he took part in a total of five successful spacewalks to
upgrade Hubble. As a Mission Specialist on STS-103
(Discovery), Grunsfeld helped install new gyroscopes and
scientific instruments and upgraded Hubble's systems. During
STS-109 (Columbia), he served as Payload Commander, in
charge of the spacewalking activities and the HST payload. He and
three other crewmates installed a new digital camera, cooling
system for the infrared camera, new solar arrays, and power
system.
"Servicing the Hubble Space Telescope is by far and away the
most meaningful thing I've ever done. It's helping us answer
fundamental questions about our world and our place in the
universe," said Grunsfeld. "I was born the same year NASA was
established, so we grew up together. I quickly discovered space
exploration and science mesh well together and I couldn't be more
excited about this opportunity."
A native of Chicago, Dr. Grunsfeld received a bachelor's degree
in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980.
He earned a maters degree and a doctorate in physics from the
University of Chicago in 1984 and 1988, respectively.
Grunsfeld was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1992. His first
flight assignment came in 1995 on board the Space Shuttle
Endeavour on STS-67. In 1997, Grunsfeld served as flight
engineer for the Space Shuttle Atlantis during STS-81 and
a 10-day mission to Russia's Mir space station. He has
logged over 45 days in space, including 37 hours and 32 minutes
working outside the Space Shuttle.
Grunsfeld has been honored with the W.D. Grainger Fellow in
Experimental Physics and was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service
Medal earlier this year. He was awarded NASA Space Flight Medals in
1995, 1997, 1999, and 2002, and earned the agency's Exceptional
Service Medal in 1997, 1998, and 2000.