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."

FMI: www.spacecoalition.com