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Melvin, Leland Devon 'Lee'

Person · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Melvin
Melvin
Credit: www.spacefacts.de

American engineer mission specialist astronaut 1998-2010.

Educated Richmond; Virginia.

Official NASA Biography as of June 2016:Leland D. Melvin
Associate Administrator for Education
NASA HEADQUARTERS (FORMER)

PERSONAL DATA:  Born February 15, 1964 in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Unmarried.  Recreational interests include photography, piano, reading, music, cycling, tennis, and snowboarding.  Loves walking his dogs, Jake and Scout.  Chosen by the Detroit Lions in the 11th round of the 1986 NFL college draft.  Also participated in the Toronto Argonauts and Dallas Cowboys football training camps.  His parents Deems and Grace Melvin, reside in Lynchburg, Virginia.

EDUCATION:  Graduated  from Heritage High School, Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1982; received a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry from the University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia in 1986; and a Master of Science Degree in Materials Science Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1991.

ORGANIZATIONS:  National Technical Association (Hampton Roads Chapter Secretary 1993), American Chemical Society, The Society for Experimental Mechanics.

SPECIAL HONORS/AWARDS: Invention Disclosure Award for Lead Insensitive Fiber Optic Phase Locked Loop Sensor,  NASA Outstanding Performance Awards (8), NASA Superior Accomplishment Award (2), Key to the City of Lynchburg, Virginia, NCAA Division I Academic All American, University of Richmond Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee.

EXPERIENCE:  Melvin began working in the Fiber Optic Sensors group of the Nondestructive Evaluation Sciences Branch at NASA Langley Research Center in 1989 where he conducted research in the area of physical measurements for the development of advanced instrumentation for Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE).  His responsibilities included using optical fiber sensors to measure strain, temperature, and chemical damage in both composite and metallic structures.  Additional projects included developing optical interferometric techniques for quantitative determination of damage in aerospace structures and materials.  In 1994, Melvin was selected to lead the Vehicle Health Monitoring (VHM) team for the cooperative Lockheed/NASA X-33 Reuseable Launch Vehicle (RLV) program.  The team developed distributed fiber optic strain, temperature and hydrogen sensors for the reduction of vehicle operational costs and to monitor composite liquid oxygen tank and cryogenic insulation performance.  In 1996, Melvin codesigned and monitored construction of an optical NDE facility capable of producing in-line fiber optic Bragg grating strain sensors at rates in excess of 1000 per hour.  This facility provides a means for performing advanced sensor and laser research for development of aerospace and civil health monitoring systems.

NASA EXPERIENCE:  Selected by NASA JSC in June 1998, Mr. Melvin reported for training in August 1998.  Astronaut Candidate Training included orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness survival techniques.  Mr. Melvin has served the Astronaut Office Space Station Operations Branch, the Education Department at NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C, and the Robotics Branch of the Astronaut Office.  As co-manager of NASA's Educator Astronaut Program, Leland Melvin traveled across the country, engaging thousands of students and teachers in the excitement of space exploration, and inspiring them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  A veteran of two space flights, STS-122 in 2008, and STS-129 in 2009, Leland Melvin has logged over 565 hours in space.

In October 2010, Melvin was named as associate administrator for the Office of Education.  As associate administrator, Melvin was responsible for the development and implementation of NASA’s education programs that inspire interest in science and technology and raise public awareness about NASA goals and missions.  He retired from NASA in February 2014.

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE:  STS-122 Atlantis (February 7 to February 20, 2008) was the 24th shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station.  Mission highlight was the delivery and installation of the European Space Agency’s Columbus Laboratory.  It took three spacewalks by crew members to prepare the Columbus Laboratory for its scientific work, and to replace an expended nitrogen tank on the Station’s P-1 Truss.  STS-122 was also a crew replacement mission, delivering Expedition-16 Flight Engineer, ESA Astronaut Léopold Eyharts, and returning home with Expedition-16 Flight Engineer, NASA Astronaut Daniel Tani.  The STS-122 mission was accomplished in 12 days, 18 hours, 21 minutes and 40 seconds, and traveled 5,296,832 statute miles in 203 Earth orbits.

STS-129 (November 16 to November 29, 2009) was the 31st shuttle flight to the International Space Station.  During the mission, the crew delivered two Express Logistics Carriers (ELC racks) to the International Space Station, about 30,000 pounds of replacement parts for systems that provide power to the station, keep it from overheating, and maintain proper orientation in space.  The mission also featured three spacewalks.  The STS-129 mission was completed in 10 days, 19 hours, 16 minutes and 13 seconds, traveling 4.5 million miles in 171 orbits, and returned to Earth bringing back with them NASA Astronaut, Nicole Stott, following her tour of duty aboard the space station.

MARCH 2014

NASA Official Biography

NAME: Leland D. Melvin (Mr.)
NASA Astronaut Candidate (Mission Specialist)
PERSONAL DATA:
Born February 15, 1964 in Lynchburg, Virginia. Unmarried. Recreational interests include piano, reading, music, cycling, tennis, and snowboarding. Chosen by the Detroit Lions in the 11th round of the 1986 NFL college draft. Also participated in the Toronto Argonauts and Dallas Cowboys football training camps. His parents Deems and Grace Melvin, reside in Lynchburg, Virginia.
EDUCATION:
Graduated from Heritage High School, Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1982; received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia in 1986; and a master of science degree in materials science engineering from the University of Virginia in 1991.
ORGANIZATIONS:
National Technical Association (Hampton Roads Chapter Secretary 1993), American Chemical Society, The Society for Experimental Mechanics.
SPECIAL HONORS/AWARDS:
Invention Disclosure Award for Lead Insensitive Fiber Optic Phase Locked Loop Sensor, NASA Outstanding Performance Awards (8), NASA Superior Accomplishment Award (2), Key to the City of Lynchburg, Virginia, NCAA Division I Academic All American, University of Richmond Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee.
NASA EXPERIENCE:
Mr. Melvin began working in the Fiber Optic Sensors group of the Nondestructive Evaluation Sciences Branch at NASA Langley Research Center in 1989 where he conducted research in the area of physical measurements for the development of advanced instrumentation for Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE). His responsibilities included using optical fiber sensors to measure strain, temperature, and chemical damage in both composite and metallic structures. Additional projects included developing optical interferometric techniques for quantitative determination of damage in aerospace structures and materials. In 1994 Mr. Melvin was selected to lead the Vehicle Health Monitoring (VHM) team for the cooperative Lockheed/NASA X-33 Reuseable Launch Vehicle (RLV) program. The team developed distributed fiber optic strain, temperature and hydrogen sensors for the reduction of vehicle operational costs and to monitor composite liquid oxygen tank and cryogenic insulation performance. In 1996 Mr. Melvin codesigned and monitored construction of an optical NDE facility capable of producing in-line fiber optic Bragg grating strain sensors at rates in excess of 1000 per hour. This facility will provide a means for performing advanced sensor and laser research for development of aerospace and civil health monitoring systems.

Selected by NASA JSC in June 1998, he reported for training in August 1998. Astronaut Candidate Training includes orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness survival techniques. Following a period of training and evaluation, he will receive technical assignments within the Astronaut Office before being assigned to a space flight.

DECEMBER 1998

More at: Melvin.

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Chronology

26 events

1964 February 15

  • Birth of Leland Devon 'Lee' Melvin - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Melvin. American engineer mission specialist astronaut 1998-2010. 2 spaceflights, 23.6 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-122 (2008), STS-129..

1985 July 19

  • NASA Astronaut Training Group 17 selected. - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton, Archambault, Caldwell, Chamitoff, Creamer, Ferguson, Foreman, Fossum, Ham, Hilliard, Johnson, Gregory C, Johnson, Gregory H, Love, Melvin, Morgan, Nespoli, Oefelein, Olivas, Patrick, Poindexter, Pontes, Reisman, Swanson, Vittori.

    The group was selected to provide pilot, engineer, and scientist astronauts for space shuttle flights.. Qualifications: Pilots: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. Advanced degree desirable. At least 1,000 flight-hours of pilot-in-command time. Flight test experience desirable. Excellent health. Vision minimum 20/50 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 vision; maximum sitting blood pressure 140/90. Height between 163 and 193 cm.

    Mission Specialists: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics and minimum three years of related experience or an advanced degree. Vision minimum 20/150 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20. Maximum sitting blood pressure of 140/90. Height between 150 and 193 cm.. Of 25 Americans, eight pilots and 17 mission specialists.

2008 February 7

2008 February 7

2008 February 7

19:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39A. LV Family: Shuttle. Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle.
  • STS-122 - . Call Sign: Atlantis. Crew: Eyharts, Frick, Love, Melvin, Poindexter, Schlegel, Walheim. Payload: Atlantis F29 / Columbus. Mass: 117,850 kg (259,810 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Eyharts, Frick, Love, Melvin, Poindexter, Schlegel, Walheim. Agency: NASA. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TMA-11, STS-120 ISS EO-16, STS-122, STS-122 ISS EO-16. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Duration: 12.77 days. Decay Date: 2008-02-20 14:07:00 . USAF Sat Cat: 32486 . COSPAR: 2008-005A. Apogee: 343 km (213 mi). Perigee: 329 km (204 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.20 min.

    ISS flight 1E's primary mission was the long-delayed delivery and installation of the European Columbus module. The shuttle entered an initial 58 km x 230 km orbit at 19:54 GMT. The OMS-2 circularization burn at 20:23 GMT put it into a 215 km x 233 km chase orbit. Atlantis docked with the PMA-2 port of the ISS at 17:17 GMT on 9 February. Eyharts was dropped off at the station, Tani, already aboard the ISS, returned to Earth on Atlantis. Atlantis undocked from the ISS on 20 February at 09:24 GMT; began its deorbit burn at 12:59; and landed at the Kennedy Space Center at 14:07.

2008 February 8

2008 February 8

2008 February 9

2008 February 10

2008 February 11

2008 February 11

2008 February 11

2008 February 12

2008 February 13

2008 February 14

2008 February 15

2008 February 15

2008 February 16

2008 February 16

2008 February 17

2008 February 19

2008 February 19

2008 February 20

2008 February 20

2008 February 20

14:07 GMT - .

2009 November 16

19:28 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39A. LV Family: Shuttle. Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle.
  • STS-129 - . Call Sign: Atlantis. Crew: Bresnik, Foreman, Hobaugh, Melvin, Satcher, Wilmore. Payload: Atlantis F31 / ExPRESS Logistics Carrier. Mass: 120,848 kg (266,424 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TMA-15, Soyuz TMA-16, STS-129. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Duration: 10.80 days. Decay Date: 2009-11-27 . USAF Sat Cat: 36094 . COSPAR: 2009-062A. Apogee: 348 km (216 mi). Perigee: 336 km (208 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.40 min.

    The mission was to deliver and place spare components outside the ISS station. The 11-day flight included three spacewalks. The payload bay carried two large ExPRESS Logistics Carriers holding two spare gyroscopes, two nitrogen tank assemblies, two pump modules, an ammonia tank assembly, a spare latching end effector for the station's robotic arm, a spare trailing umbilical system for the Mobile Transporter, and a high-pressure gas tank.