Veteran Astronaut Carl Walz Leaves NASA

Antaletriangle · 12-04-2008, 05:10 PM

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/stor...FA207C0C366%7D

Last update: 9:47 a.m. EST Dec. 4, 2008
HOUSTON, Dec 04, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- NASA astronaut Carl Walz is leaving the agency to take a job in the private sector.
Walz most recently served as director for the Advanced Capabilities Division in the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. In the division, he played a key role in developing technologies that will lead to greater capabilities in robotic and human exploration of the solar system. He oversaw work in many fields, including nuclear power and propulsion, human adaptation to spaceflight, and lunar exploration. Many of these programs will help humans return to the moon and develop a sustained presence there.
"NASA owes a great debt to Carl Walz for his service as an astronaut and the expertise and perspective he has shared with us in the Advanced Capabilities Division," said Doug Cooke, associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. "The legacy of his leadership will be strongly felt in the next generation of manned space missions."
A veteran of four space shuttle missions and one International Space Station expedition, Walz spent 231 days in space. He and fellow astronaut Dan Bursch held the U.S. spaceflight endurance record of 196 days in space until April 2007.
Expedition 4, his last mission, launched aboard space shuttle Endeavour in December 2001. Walz, one of the station's earliest inhabitants, set up equipment and experiments for the orbiting laboratory. He also completed two spacewalks during the mission, one in a Russian Orlan suit to outfit the Russian-supplied docking compartment and one in a U.S. spacesuit to prepare the station for its first truss segment. His spacewalks lasted a total of 11 hours, 52 minutes.
A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, Walz also flew on STS-51 in September 1993, STS-65 in July 1994 and STS-79 in September 1996.
Walz and the STS-51 crew deployed the U.S. Advanced Communications Technology Satellite and the Shuttle Pallet Satellite. He also took a seven-hour spacewalk to evaluate tools for the Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission during that flight.
During STS-65, Walz and the crew worked in the second International Microgravity Laboratory spacelab module and conducted more than 80 materials and life sciences experiments. That mission completed 236 orbits of Earth, traveling 6.1 million miles and setting a new flight duration record for the shuttle program.
On STS-79, the seven-member crew docked with the Russian Mir station and set a record for docked mass in space. That mission also completed a crew transfer, provided vital supplies to the Mir, and conducted important research and technology demonstrations.
NASA selected Walz as an astronaut in January 1990. In addition to his flights, he served in a variety of technical and management positions within the Astronaut Office in Houston.

Dantheman62 · 12-04-2008, 05:53 PM

I wonder what job he's taking in the private sector?, and with what company?

Antaletriangle · 12-04-2008, 06:38 PM

This is it cuddles, anyone who leaves NASA has a potential for some /possible info. release-could he have info. in his possession concerning alien tech. etc.There are quite a few ex NASA employees on disclosure project besides astronauts that have opened up over the years.

12-05-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antaletriangle

This is it cuddles, anyone who leaves NASA has a potential for some /possible info. release-could he have info. in his possession concerning alien tech. etc.There are quite a few ex NASA employees on disclosure project besides astronauts that have opened up over the years.

Maybe this guy will be the next Gordon Cooper? That would be sweet - but only time will tell.

12-04-2008, 05:10 PM	#1
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Veteran Astronaut Carl Walz Leaves NASA http://www.marketwatch.com/news/stor...FA207C0C366%7D Last update: 9:47 a.m. EST Dec. 4, 2008 HOUSTON, Dec 04, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- NASA astronaut Carl Walz is leaving the agency to take a job in the private sector. Walz most recently served as director for the Advanced Capabilities Division in the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. In the division, he played a key role in developing technologies that will lead to greater capabilities in robotic and human exploration of the solar system. He oversaw work in many fields, including nuclear power and propulsion, human adaptation to spaceflight, and lunar exploration. Many of these programs will help humans return to the moon and develop a sustained presence there. "NASA owes a great debt to Carl Walz for his service as an astronaut and the expertise and perspective he has shared with us in the Advanced Capabilities Division," said Doug Cooke, associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. "The legacy of his leadership will be strongly felt in the next generation of manned space missions." A veteran of four space shuttle missions and one International Space Station expedition, Walz spent 231 days in space. He and fellow astronaut Dan Bursch held the U.S. spaceflight endurance record of 196 days in space until April 2007. Expedition 4, his last mission, launched aboard space shuttle Endeavour in December 2001. Walz, one of the station's earliest inhabitants, set up equipment and experiments for the orbiting laboratory. He also completed two spacewalks during the mission, one in a Russian Orlan suit to outfit the Russian-supplied docking compartment and one in a U.S. spacesuit to prepare the station for its first truss segment. His spacewalks lasted a total of 11 hours, 52 minutes. A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, Walz also flew on STS-51 in September 1993, STS-65 in July 1994 and STS-79 in September 1996. Walz and the STS-51 crew deployed the U.S. Advanced Communications Technology Satellite and the Shuttle Pallet Satellite. He also took a seven-hour spacewalk to evaluate tools for the Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission during that flight. During STS-65, Walz and the crew worked in the second International Microgravity Laboratory spacelab module and conducted more than 80 materials and life sciences experiments. That mission completed 236 orbits of Earth, traveling 6.1 million miles and setting a new flight duration record for the shuttle program. On STS-79, the seven-member crew docked with the Russian Mir station and set a record for docked mass in space. That mission also completed a crew transfer, provided vital supplies to the Mir, and conducted important research and technology demonstrations. NASA selected Walz as an astronaut in January 1990. In addition to his flights, he served in a variety of technical and management positions within the Astronaut Office in Houston.

12-04-2008, 05:53 PM	#2
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: Veteran Astronaut Carl Walz Leaves NASA I wonder what job he's taking in the private sector?, and with what company?

12-04-2008, 06:38 PM	#3
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Re: Veteran Astronaut Carl Walz Leaves NASA This is it cuddles, anyone who leaves NASA has a potential for some /possible info. release-could he have info. in his possession concerning alien tech. etc.There are quite a few ex NASA employees on disclosure project besides astronauts that have opened up over the years.