Roger Crouch Has Logged Over 471 Hours In Orbit
When you're seeking to advance space
exploration, it helps to have someone who knows the territory on
your side. The Coalition for Space Exploration told Aero-News
Monday it has named former NASA astronaut Roger Crouch to its board
of advisors.
The Coalition is a national collaboration of space industry
businesses and advocacy groups whose mission is to educate and
inform the public on the value and benefits of space exploration.
As a board member, Crouch will provide insight and recommendations
regarding the organization’s public outreach efforts designed
to showcase the importance of America's investment in a robust
space exploration program.
Crouch served as a Payload Specialist on the STS-83 and STS-94
Space Shuttle missions in 1997. He has logged more than 471 hours
in space and trained as the Alternate Payload Specialist on STS-42
for the first International Microgravity Laboratory, which flew in
January 1992.
Crouch joins a diverse group of Coalition advisory board
members, including Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Academy-award
winning filmmaker James Cameron, renowned cardiovascular surgeon
Dr. Michael DeBakey and other public leaders and educators who
share the Coalition’s mission to advocate for returning
humans to the moon and ultimately venturing on to Mars.
Previously, Crouch served as the liaison for higher education
for NASA’s Exploration Systems Directorate; was a senior
scientist for both the International Space Station and the Office
of Life and Microgravity Sciences at NASA headquarters. He also
served as a program scientist on five different Spacelab flights.
In addition, Crouch helped organize and has served as co-chair for
Microgravity Science Working Groups between NASA and space agencies
from the European Space Agency, France, Germany, Japan and Russia.
He was the founding co-chair of the International Microgravity
Science Strategic Planning group consisting of these space
agencies, as well as Canada.
Retired from NASA and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Crouch currently consults with various firms and delivers
inspirational and informative lectures to a broad range of
audiences.
"Roger’s strong space science background and connection to
the science community, combined with his support for education
outreach and space operations experience, makes him a tremendous
asset to the Coalition," said Joe Mayer, Chair of the
Coalition’s Public Affairs Team. "He has a unique personal
story of perseverance and dedication that will enhance our
communication efforts in reaching out to younger generations, and
inspiring our youth to become our nation's future scientists,
engineers and explorers."