Thomas David Jones
Encyclopedia
Thomas David Jones is a former United States
astronaut. He was selected to the astronaut corps in 1990 and completed four space shuttle
flights before retiring in 2001. He flew on STS-59
and STS-68
in 1994, STS-80
in 1996 and STS-98
in 2001. His total mission time was 53 days 48 minutes. He is a science/space contributor for the Fox News channel.
, Essex, Maryland
, in 1973; received a bachelor of science degree in basic sciences from the United States Air Force Academy
in 1977, and a doctorate in planetary science from the University of Arizona
in 1988. Jones is an Eagle Scout
.
, Texas. As pilot and aircraft commander of a B-52D Stratofortress, he led a combat crew of six, accumulating over 2,000 hours of jet experience before resigning as a captain in 1983.
From 1983 to 1988 he worked toward a Ph.D. at the University of Arizona in Tucson. His research interests included the remote sensing of asteroids, meteorite spectroscopy, and applications of space resources. From 1989 to 1990, he was a program management engineer in Washington, D.C., at the CIA's Office of Development and Engineering. In 1990 he joined Science Applications International Corporation in Washington, D.C. as a senior scientist. Dr. Jones performed advanced program planning for NASA's Solar System Exploration Division, investigating future robotic missions to Mars, asteroids, and the outer solar system.
After a year of training following his selection by NASA in January 1990, Dr. Jones became an astronaut in July 1991. In 1994 he flew as a mission specialist on successive flights of space shuttle Endeavour. First, in April 1994, he ran science operations on the "night shift" during STS-59
, the first flight of the Space Radar Laboratory (SRL-1). Then, in October 1994, he was the payload commander on the SRL-2 mission, STS-68
. Dr. Jones next flew in late 1996 on Columbia. Mission STS-80
successfully deployed and retrieved 2 science satellites, ORFEUS/SPAS and the Wake Shield Facility. While helping set a Shuttle endurance record of nearly 18 days in orbit, Dr. Jones used Columbia's robot arm to release the Wake Shield satellite and later grapple it from orbit. His latest space flight was aboard Atlantis on STS-98
, in February 2001. Dr. Jones and his crew delivered the U.S. Destiny Laboratory Module to the Space Station, and he helped install the Lab in a series of 3 space walks lasting over 19 hours. The successful addition of Destiny gave the first Expedition Crew the largest space outpost in history and marked the start of onboard scientific research at the ISS. A veteran of four space flights, Dr. Jones has logged over 52 days (1,272 hours) in space, including 3 space walks totaling over 19 hours.
Since leaving NASA in 2001, Jones has worked as a planetary scientist and consultant in space operations. He is also an author and speaker, with four adult, non-fiction works to his credit. From 2006-2009 he served on the NASA Advisory Council. He is currently active in planning robotic and astronaut expeditions to near-Earth asteroids.
.
Jones's book Sky Walking: An Astronaut's Memoir, was named one of the top five books on the subject of space by the Wall Street Journal.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
astronaut. He was selected to the astronaut corps in 1990 and completed four space shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
flights before retiring in 2001. He flew on STS-59
STS-59
-Mission parameters:*Mass: payload*Perigee: *Apogee: *Inclination: 57°*Period: 88.4 min-9 April:Endeavour began its sixth mission on the morning of 9 April 1994 with an on-time launch at 7:05 am Eastern time...
and STS-68
STS-68
STS-68 was a human spaceflight mission using that launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida on 1994-09-30.-Crew:-Launch:Launch 30 September 1994 at 7:16:00.068 am EDT from Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39-A. The Launch window opened at 7:16 am EDT with a 2 hour 30 minute window. Orbiter...
in 1994, STS-80
STS-80
-Mission parameters:* Mass: payload* Perigee: * Apogee: * Inclination: 28.5°* Period: 91.5 min-Mission highlights:* The mission deployed two satellites and successfully recovered them after they had performed their tasks....
in 1996 and STS-98
STS-98
STS-98 was a 2001 Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station flown by Space Shuttle Atlantis. STS-98 delivered to the station the Destiny Laboratory Module...
in 2001. His total mission time was 53 days 48 minutes. He is a science/space contributor for the Fox News channel.
Background and education
Jones was born in 1955, in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Kenwood High SchoolKenwood High School
Kenwood High School is a Baltimore County public high school located in Essex, Maryland.-About the School:Kenwood has been educating students since 1931. The school was originally housed at 6700 Kenwood Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21237, which is now Golden Ring Middle School...
, Essex, Maryland
Essex, Maryland
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 39,078 people, 15,952 households, and 10,336 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,104.1 people per square mile . There were 16,997 housing units at an average density of 1,785.1 per square mile...
, in 1973; received a bachelor of science degree in basic sciences from the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
in 1977, and a doctorate in planetary science from the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
in 1988. Jones is an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
.
Experience
A Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Academy, Dr. Jones served on active duty as an Air Force officer for 6 years. After pilot training in Oklahoma, he flew strategic bombers at Carswell Air Force BaseCarswell Air Force Base
Carswell Air Force Base, was a United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base located about northwest central of Fort Worth, Texas, United States; the air force base is mostly within the Fort Worth city limits and has portions within Westworth and White Settlement...
, Texas. As pilot and aircraft commander of a B-52D Stratofortress, he led a combat crew of six, accumulating over 2,000 hours of jet experience before resigning as a captain in 1983.
From 1983 to 1988 he worked toward a Ph.D. at the University of Arizona in Tucson. His research interests included the remote sensing of asteroids, meteorite spectroscopy, and applications of space resources. From 1989 to 1990, he was a program management engineer in Washington, D.C., at the CIA's Office of Development and Engineering. In 1990 he joined Science Applications International Corporation in Washington, D.C. as a senior scientist. Dr. Jones performed advanced program planning for NASA's Solar System Exploration Division, investigating future robotic missions to Mars, asteroids, and the outer solar system.
After a year of training following his selection by NASA in January 1990, Dr. Jones became an astronaut in July 1991. In 1994 he flew as a mission specialist on successive flights of space shuttle Endeavour. First, in April 1994, he ran science operations on the "night shift" during STS-59
STS-59
-Mission parameters:*Mass: payload*Perigee: *Apogee: *Inclination: 57°*Period: 88.4 min-9 April:Endeavour began its sixth mission on the morning of 9 April 1994 with an on-time launch at 7:05 am Eastern time...
, the first flight of the Space Radar Laboratory (SRL-1). Then, in October 1994, he was the payload commander on the SRL-2 mission, STS-68
STS-68
STS-68 was a human spaceflight mission using that launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida on 1994-09-30.-Crew:-Launch:Launch 30 September 1994 at 7:16:00.068 am EDT from Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39-A. The Launch window opened at 7:16 am EDT with a 2 hour 30 minute window. Orbiter...
. Dr. Jones next flew in late 1996 on Columbia. Mission STS-80
STS-80
-Mission parameters:* Mass: payload* Perigee: * Apogee: * Inclination: 28.5°* Period: 91.5 min-Mission highlights:* The mission deployed two satellites and successfully recovered them after they had performed their tasks....
successfully deployed and retrieved 2 science satellites, ORFEUS/SPAS and the Wake Shield Facility. While helping set a Shuttle endurance record of nearly 18 days in orbit, Dr. Jones used Columbia's robot arm to release the Wake Shield satellite and later grapple it from orbit. His latest space flight was aboard Atlantis on STS-98
STS-98
STS-98 was a 2001 Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station flown by Space Shuttle Atlantis. STS-98 delivered to the station the Destiny Laboratory Module...
, in February 2001. Dr. Jones and his crew delivered the U.S. Destiny Laboratory Module to the Space Station, and he helped install the Lab in a series of 3 space walks lasting over 19 hours. The successful addition of Destiny gave the first Expedition Crew the largest space outpost in history and marked the start of onboard scientific research at the ISS. A veteran of four space flights, Dr. Jones has logged over 52 days (1,272 hours) in space, including 3 space walks totaling over 19 hours.
Since leaving NASA in 2001, Jones has worked as a planetary scientist and consultant in space operations. He is also an author and speaker, with four adult, non-fiction works to his credit. From 2006-2009 he served on the NASA Advisory Council. He is currently active in planning robotic and astronaut expeditions to near-Earth asteroids.
Awards and decorations
Jones' awards include the NASA Space Flight Medal (four awards), NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Award, NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal, and NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal. His military decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was a distinguished graduate and the outstanding graduate in Basic Sciences at the United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
.
Jones's book Sky Walking: An Astronaut's Memoir, was named one of the top five books on the subject of space by the Wall Street Journal.
Books
- Planetology: Unlocking the Secrets of the Solar System with Ellen Stofan, National Geographic, 2008.
- http://www.zenithpress.com/Store/ProductDetails_39383.ncmHell Hawks! The Untold Story of the American Fliers Who Savaged Hitler's Wehrmacht with Robert F. DorrRobert F. DorrRobert F. Dorr is an author and retired American diplomat who has authored 70 books and numerous articles on international affairs, military issues and the Vietnam War. He writes the weekly "Back Talk" opinion column for the Air Force Times newspaper and the monthly "Washington Watch" feature of...
. ISBN 0760329184. Zenith Press, May 2008.] - Sky Walking: An Astronaut's Memoir ISBN 0-06-085152-X. Smithsonian-Collins, 2006.
- The Complete Idiot's GuideThe Complete Idiot's Guide to...The Complete Idiot's Guides is an Alpha Books product line of how-to and other reference books that each seek to provide a basic understanding of a complex and popular topic. The term "idiot" is used as hyperbole in claiming ensured comprehension. The approach relies on explaining a topic via very...
to NASA by Thomas D. Jones and Michael Benson - 2002 - ISBN 0-02-864282-1 - Mission: Earth - Voyage to the Home Planet with June English. ISBN 0590485717. Scholastic, April 1996.
- The Scholastic Encyclopedia of the U.S. at War with June English. ISBN 0590634216. Scholastic, 1998, 2003 (paperback).