The Unlikely Astronaut
from DECIDING TO WIN Hosted by reginald nsowah
On this episode i am joined by the amazing Susan Stil Kilrain, an American engineer, a former United States Navy officer, and a former NASA astronaut. A childhood dream to fly manifested into not just flying fighter jets for the US Navy but Space shuttles for Nasa. An accomplished aerospace engineer, distinguished naval aviator with over 3000 flight hours, flying 30 different aircrafts. She was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1985 and designated a Naval Aviator in 1987. Kilrain was selected to be a flight instructor in the TA-4J Skyhawk, and later flew EA-6A Electric Intruders for Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 33 (VAQ-33) in Key West, Florida. After completing U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, she reported to Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for F-14 Tomcat training. Kilrain reported to the Johnson Space Center as an Astronaut Candidate in March 1995. Following a year of training, she worked on technical issues for the Vehicle Systems and Operations Branch of the Astronaut Office. She also served as spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in mission control during launch and entry for numerous missions. A veteran of two space flights, she logged nearly 472 hours in space. She flew as pilot on STS-83 (April 4 to 8, 1997) and STS-94 (July 1 to 17, 1997). She now spends her time inspiring the next generation to believe in themselves.
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