Teacher plus Coach plus the Right Stuff equals Astronaut

By John Entwistle, NES

Selected by NASA as a Mission Specialist in May 2004, Dorothy M. Metcalf-Lindenberger, mom, teacher, and now Mission Specialist on STS-131, the 33rd launch of a shuttle, was an earth science and astronomy teacher at Hudson’s Bay High School in Vancouver, Washington. She also coached cross-country at the high school level for three years. In February 2006 she completed Astronaut Candidate Training that included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training, T-38 flight training, and water and wilderness survival training.  Completion of this initial training qualified her for technical assignments within the Astronaut Office and flight assignment. Space shuttle Discovery carries a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module filled with science racks that will be transferred to laboratories of the International Space Station. Discovery successfully launched April 5, at 6:21 a.m. EDT. This is the last scheduled night-time launch. Discovery and crew will spend 13 days in space on their mission to the International Space Station.