Elaine Marie Collins is a retired NASA astronaut and colonel in the United States Air Force. In the past, he was a military instructor and test pilot. The first female pilot and the first female commander of a spaceship. She was awarded many medals. Collins spent a total of 38 days, 8 hours and 20 minutes in space. She retired on May 1, 2006.
Biography
Elaine Marie Collins was born on November 19, 1956 in Elmira, New York. Her parents, James Edward and Rose Marie Collins, are immigrants from County Cork, Ireland. In addition to Elaine, there were three other boys and one girl in the family. As a child, Elayne was a scout and was interested in space travel and spacecraft piloting.
Educated at the Elmira Free Academy in 1974. She then entered Cornig Community College, graduating in 1976 with a master's degree in mathematics and science. In 1978, Elaine also graduated from Syracuse University with a BA in mathematics and economics. Graduated from Stanford University in 1986 with a master's degree in operations research. Graduated from Webster University in 1989 with a master's degree in space systems management.
In 1987, Elaine Collins married pilot Pat Youngs. They currently have two children.
Career
After graduating from Syracuse University, she was among the first four women to be trained as pilots at Vance Base in Oklahoma. After receiving the US Aviator badge, she remained in Vance for three years as an instructor pilot for the T-38 Talon. She later became instructor pilot of the C-141 Starlifter on the US Air Force base Travis in California. From 1986 to 1989 she served at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, where she was assistant professor of mathematics and pilot instructor on the Cessna T-41 Mescalero. In 1989, Collins became the second female pilot to graduate from the US Test Pilot School. In 1990 she was selected for the astronaut program.
Collins first boarded the space shuttle control panel in 1995 on board STS-63. During the flight, a docking took place between Discovery and the Russian space station Mir. As the first female shuttle pilot, she was presented with the Harmon Trophy Commemorative Award.
In 1997, she again piloted the space shuttle, STS-84.
In July 1999, Collins was already in command of the STS-93 Shuttle. So she became the first female commander of a US spacecraft. During this mission, the Chandra X-ray observatory was brought into orbit.
In 2005, Collins commanded STS-114. During NASA's Return to Flight mission, the shuttle resupplied the International Space Station (ISS) and performed safety upgrades. During this mission, Collins became the first astronaut to orbit the ISS in 360 degrees. This was necessary in order to inspect the Shuttle hull and the ISS hull for damage from space debris.
Collins left NASA and retired on May 1, 2006.
Retired
After retirement, Collins began to spend a lot of time with her family. She occasionally starred in analytical reports for NASA, covered the launch and landing of shuttles for CNN.
In 2007, Elaine became director of the United Services Automotive Association (USAA), vice chairman of the risk committee at the same company, and a member of the USAA technology, appointment and management committee. For this job, Elayne receives a salary of about $ 300,000 a year, plus a full pension for his work at NASA.
In 2016, Collins spoke at the Republican National Congress in Cleveland, Ohio. Many assumed that under President Donald Trump, she would become the administrator of NASA, but this did not happen.
Awards and distinctions
Astronaut Elaine Marie Collins won the 2006 Free Spirit and National Space Trophy Awards. An astronomical observatory named after her is the Eileen M. Collins Observatory, created by the Corning Community College, where she once studied.
Collins has also been honored with a place in the National Women's Hall of Fame. The Encyclopedia Britannica named her one of the 300 best women in history who changed the world.
Syracuse International Airport Hancock named the boulevard adjacent to its main entrance Collins Boulevard.
The New York State Legislature passed a career resolution in her honor on May 9, 2006, addressing many of her career paths. An excerpt from that resolution reads: “The New York State Legislature recognizes and publicly recognizes important milestones in the lives of those who have distinguished themselves by their exemplary careers, innovative spirit and purposeful lives. Such as Elaine Marie Collins. New York State Senator George Wiener volunteered to announce the resolution in the State Senate, and Thomas F. O'Mara, a member of this Assembly, volunteered for the resolution in the State Assembly.
Collins graduated from Webster University and awarded her an honorary doctorate in 1996. Elmira College awarded Eileen Collins a second honorary doctorate. Eileen received her PhD in person at the College's 148th Opening Ceremony on June 4, 2006.
The Women's Council of the Alder Planetarium awarded Elaine Collins the Women in Space Badge of Honor. The award ceremony took place on June 7, 2006.
On June 14, 2006, University College Dublin awarded US Air Force Colonel Collins an honorary doctorate from the National University of Ireland. For Elayne, this was her third honorary degree.
In 2007, Collins was awarded the Douglas S. Morrow Public Information Award by the Space Foundation. This prize is awarded annually to the individual or organization that has made the greatest contribution to informing the public about space programs.
On April 19, 2013, Elaine Collins was honored with a place in the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Colonel Elaine Collins was also invited to join the Air Force Association, the Order of the Daedalians, the Women's Military Pilot Association, the US Space Fund, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Space, and the Ninety-Nineties community.
