William C. McCool

William C. McCool

William McCool in August 2001
NASA Astronaut
Nationality American
Born (1961-09-23)September 23, 1961
San Diego, California, U.S.
Died February 1, 2003(2003-02-01) (aged 41)
Over Texas
Other names
 William Cameron McCool
Previous occupation
 Naval aviator, test pilot
USNA, B.S. 1983
UMCP, M.S. 1985
NPS, M.S. 1992
Rank Commander, USN
Time in space
 15d 22h 20m
Selection 1996 NASA Group 16
Missions STS-107
Mission insignia
Awards

William Cameron "Willie" McCool (September 23, 1961 – February 1, 2003), (Cmdr, USN), was an American naval officer and aviator, test pilot, aeronautical engineer, and NASA astronaut, who was the pilot of Space Shuttle Columbia mission STS-107. He and the rest of the crew of STS-107 were killed when Columbia disintegrated during re-entry into the atmosphere.[1][2] He was the youngest male member of the crew.

Personal information

William McCool was born September 23, 1961, in San Diego, California. McCool was active in the Boy Scouts of America where he became an Eagle Scout.[3] His favorite song was "Imagine" by John Lennon, which was played during the space mission. His favorite band was Radiohead, and the song "Fake Plastic Trees" was played by Mission Control as a wake-up call.

McCool died on February 1, 2003, when Space Shuttle Columbia broke up over the southern United States during re-entry. He was survived by his wife, Lani, and their three sons. He had a home in Anacortes, Washington, at the time of his death. He is buried in Anacortes, Washington.[2] [4]

Education

Flight experience

McCool completed flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1986. He was assigned to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, for initial EA-6B Prowler training. His first operational tour was with Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 133 (VAQ-133), where he made two deployments aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and received designation as a wing-qualified Landing Signal Officer (LSO). In November 1989, he was selected for the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School/Test Pilot School (TPS) Cooperative Education Program.[1]

After graduating from TPS in June 1992, he worked as a TA-4J and EA-6B test pilot in Flight Systems Department of Strike Aircraft Test Directorate at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. He was responsible for the management and conduct of a wide variety of projects, ranging from airframe fatigue life studies to numerous avionics upgrades. His primary efforts, however, were dedicated to flight test of the Advanced Capability (ADVCAP) EA-6B. Following his Patuxent River tour, McCool returned to Whidbey Island, and was assigned to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) aboard the carrier USS Enterprise. He served as Administrative and Operations Officer with the squadron through their work-up cycle, receiving notice of his NASA selection while embarked on Enterprise for her final pre-deployment at sea period.[1]

McCool accumulated over 2,800 hours flight experience in 24 aircraft and over 400 carrier arrestments.

NASA experience

Selected by NASA in April 1996, McCool reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. He completed two years of training and evaluation, and was qualified for flight assignment as a pilot. Initially assigned to the Computer Support Branch, McCool also served as technical assistant to the director of flight crew operations, and worked Shuttle cockpit upgrade issues for the Astronaut Office.

Spaceflight experience

McCool was pilot of Space Shuttle mission STS-107, January 16 to February 1, 2003, logging 15 days, 22 hours and 20 minutes in space. The 16-day flight was a dedicated science and research mission. Working 24 hours a day, in two alternating shifts, the crew successfully conducted approximately 80 experiments. STS-107's mission ended abruptly on February 1, 2003, when Columbia disintegrated during re-entry, 16 minutes before scheduled landing. All seven crew members were killed.

Organizations

Awards

Posthumously awarded:

Special honors

Tributes

Commander William C. McCool School in Santa Rita, Guam

Quote

“ From our orbital vantage point, we observe an earth without borders, full of peace, beauty and magnificence, and we pray that humanity as a whole can imagine a borderless world as we see it and strive to live as one in peace. ”
— William Cameron McCool
  • This article includes text from NASA's "William C. McCool: NASA Astronaut Biographical Data", a work in the public domain.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 NASA. William C. McCool: NASA Astronaut: Biographical Data, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center website, May 2004. Retrieved August 15, 2010. Note: this text, the work of a U.S. Government agency, is a work in the public domain.
  2. 1 2 3 Kershaw, Sarah Space Shuttle Widow Is Ready to Move on From Rituals of Loss, New York Times, December 5, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  3. ↑ William C. "Willie" McCool at scouting.org
  4. ↑ McCool's 'excitement was infectious' / Anacortes mourns shocking loss of generous, inspiring neighbor, Seattle P-I, February 3, 2003, retrieved February 19, 2011
  5. ↑ Townley, Alvin. Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America's Eagle Scouts. New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 79. ISBN 0-312-36653-1. Retrieved December 29, 2006.
  6. ↑ http://www.chrie.org/about/awards/index.aspx?wp1813936608-slide=6
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