Rochester Native Commands Shuttle
Former Pittsford resident and Bishop Kearney High School graduate Pamela Melroy, 46, circles the earth tonight, as only the second female space shuttle commander. Melroy and her six-member crew blasted off this morning from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Many Rochesterians traveled to the Kennedy Space Station for the launch. Ms. Melroy’s job on board Discovery include landing the shuttle and docking it to the international space station.
NASA’s safety group recommended delaying the launch because of possible cracks beneath the protective coating on three panels covering the leading edges of Discovery’s wings. Senior managers decided a week ago that repairs were unnecessary. So we’ll keep our finger crossed that Ms. Melroy and her crew complete a successful mission and make it home safely!
- D&C: Discovery launch marks historic highs and lows for women in space
- D&C: Kearney cheers Pam Melroy’s liftoff
- Pamela Melroy’s NASA biography
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