Douglas H. Wheelock
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Astronaut | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | May 5, 1960 Binghamton, New York |
| Occupation1 | Test Pilot |
| Rank | Colonel, United States Army |
| Selection | 1998 NASA Group |
| Mission(s) | |
| 1 previous or current | |
Douglas Harry Wheelock (Colonel, USA) is a NASA astronaut, specifically a mission specialist, was born May 5, 1960 in Binghamton, New York and considers Windsor, to be his hometown. Married to Cathleen Hollen, they have one child. Doug’s parents, Olin and Margaret Wheelock, reside in Windsor, New York. Cathy’s parents reside in Enterprise, Alabama.
Wheelock graduated from Windsor Central High School in 1978. Received a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Science and Engineering from the United States Military Academy in 1983, and a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1992. He is a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, the Society of American Military Engineers, the Association of the United States Army, and the Army Aviation Association of America.
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[edit] Experience
Colonel Wheelock received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Infantry from West Point in May 1983 and entered flight school in 1984. Graduating at the top of his flight class and designated as an Army Aviator in September 1984. He subsequently served in the Pacific Theater as a combat aviation Section Leader, Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Battalion Operations Officer, and Commander of an Air Cavalry Troop in the 9th U.S. Cavalry. He was later assigned to the Aviation Directorate of Combat Developments as an Advanced Weapons Research and Development Engineer.
He was selected as a member of Class 104 at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and upon completion was assigned as an Experimental Test Pilot with the Army Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC). His flight testing was focused in the areas of tactical reconnaissance and surveillance systems in the OH-58D(I), UH-60A/L, RU-21H and C-23 aircraft. He served as Division Chief for fixed-wing testing of airborne signal and imagery intelligence systems in support of the National Program Office for Intelligence and Electronic Warfare. He is also a graduate of the Army Airborne and Air Assault Courses, the Infantry and Aviation Officer Advanced Courses, The Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Material Acquisition Management Course, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
A dual rated MasterArmy Aviator; he has logged over 2500 flight hours in 43 different rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
[edit] NASA experience
Colonel Wheelock was assigned to NASA at the Johnson Space Center in August of 1996 as a Space Shuttle integration test engineer. His technical duties involved engineering liaison for launch and landing operations of the Space Shuttle. He was selected as the vehicle integration test team lead for the joint Space Shuttle and Russian Space Station MIR mission STS-86, and lead engineer for International Space Station (ISS) hardware fit checks.
Colonel Wheelock reported for Astronaut Candidate Training in August 1998. Having completed the initial two years of intensive Space Shuttle and Space Station training, he was assigned to the Astronaut Office ISS Operations Branch as a Russian Liaison, participating in the testing and integration of Russian hardware and software products developed for the ISS. He worked extensively with the Energia Aerospace Company in Moscow, Russia, developing and verifying dual-language procedures for ISS crews. Colonel Wheelock led joint U.S./Russian teams to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to oversee bench reviews, inventory, loading and launch of the first four unmanned ISS resupply capsules.
In 2001, Colonel Wheelock assumed duties as the Crew Support Astronaut for the ISS Expedition 2 crew, which was on orbit for 147 days from March 2001 to August 2001, and for the ISS Expedition 4 crew, which was on orbit for 195 days (U.S. long-duration record) from December 2001 to June 2002. He was the primary contact for all crew needs, coordination, planning and interactions, and was the primary representative of the crews while they were on orbit. In August 2002, Colonel Wheelock was assigned as a Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) in the Mission Control Center in Houston. In this role, he was the primary communication link between crews on orbit and the ground support team in the Control Center. His work as a CAPCOM culminated in his assignment as the lead CAPCOM for the ISS Expedition 8 mission, which was 194 days in duration.
Colonel Wheelock is currently serving at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. In January 2005, he was assigned as NASA’s Director of Operations – Russia. He is responsible for supporting Russia-based training, logistic, and administrative needs of NASA astronauts preparing for flight on the ISS. Colonel Wheelock is the primary liaison between Star City and NASA operations in Houston, including medical, training, science, contracting, public affairs, and administration departments. He is also responsible for liaison duties between NASA and the Russian Space Agency, as well as the Russian aerospace industry.
Colonel Wheelock is qualified to fly aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. He has completed qualification in the Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Skills program as well as the Canadian Space Agency MSS Robotics Operator (MRO) course. He is currently completing qualification as a Cosmonaut Flight Engineer in the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. He is assigned as a mission specialist for STS-120.
[edit] Awards
- Meritorious Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Army Achievement Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Korea Defense Service Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- Overseas Service Ribbon
- Army Service Ribbon
- Airborne Wings
- Air Assault Wings
- Master Aviator Wings
- Air Force Space and Missile Badge
[edit] Special honors
- Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Army Flight Training Course (1984)
- 25th Infantry Division Flight Safety Award (1986 and 1989)
- U.S. Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Men of America (1989)
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Outstanding Spokesman for Freedom (1990)
- Team Leader of the Georgia Tech Aerial Robotics Design Team (1992)
- Gamble Award for excellence in experimental flight testing (1995)
- NASA Group Achievement Awards: Global Positioning System (1997) and Russian Liaison Support Team (2001)
- NASA Superior Accomplishment Award (2002 and 2004)
