# JSC News Release Log 1990/90-006

1990 Astronaut Candidates Selected
In the first of what will become standard biennial selections, 23 new astronaut candidates have been named for the Space Shuttle program.
The candidates were chosen from among 1,945 qualified applicants, 106 of whom received interviews and medical examinations between September and November, 1989. They will report to the Johnson Space Center in July to begin a year of training and evaluation, after which they will receive technical assignments leading to selection for Shuttle flight crews.
The 1990 group consists of 7 pilot candidates and 16 mission specialist candidates, including 11 civilians and 12 military officers. Among the 5 women selected are 3 military officers, including the first woman to be named as a pilot candidate, and the first Hispanic woman to be chosen. A listing of the candidates and biographical data follows.
1990 Astronaut Candidates
| Lcdr. Daniel W. Bursch | U.S. Navy | Mission Specialist |
| Dr. Leroy Chiao | Civilian | Mission Specialist |
| Maj. Michael R. U. Clifford | U.S. Army | Mission Specialist |
| Kenneth D. Cockrell | Civilian | Pilot |
| Maj. Eileen M. Collins | U.S. Air Force | Pilot |
| Capt. William G. Gregory | U.S. Air Force | Pilot |
| Maj. James D. Halsell, Jr. | U.S. Air Force | Pilot |
| Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr. | Civilian | Mission Specialist |
| Capt. Susan J. Helms | U.S. Air Force | Mission Specialist |
| Dr. Thomas D. Jones | Civilian | Mission Specialist |
| Maj. William S. McArthur, Jr. | U.S. Army | Mission Specialist |
| Dr. James H. Newman | Civilian | Mission Specialist |
| Dr. Ellen Ochoa | Civilian | Mission Specialist |
| Maj. Charles J. Precourt | U.S. Air Force | Pilot |
| Capt. Richard A. Searfoss | U.S. Air Force | Pilot |
| Dr. Ronald M. Sega | Civilian | Mission Specialist |
| Capt. Nancy J. Sherlock | U.S. Army | Mission Specialist |
| Dr. Donald A. Thomas | Civilian | Mission Specialist |
| Dr. Thomas D. Jones | Civilian | Mission Specialist |
| Dr. Janice E. Voss | Civilian | Mission Specialist |
| Capt. Carl E. Walz | U.S. Air Force | Mission Specialist |
| Maj. Terrence W. Wilcutt | U.S. Marine Corps | Pilot |
| Dr. Peter J. K. Wisoff | Civilian | Mission Specialist |
| Dr. David A. Wolf | Civilian | Mission Specialist |
Biographical Data
Name: Daniel W. Bursch, Lt. Cmdr., USN, Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: July 25, 1957 - Bristol, Pennsylvania
Residence: Pacific Grove, California
| Education: | Vestal Senior High School, Vestal, New York |
| | BS, Physics, US Naval Academy, 1979 |
Current position: Student, US Naval Postgraduate School
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Donald D. Bursch, Charlotte, North Carolina
Marital status: Single. One child.
Name: Leroy Chiao, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: August 28, 1960 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Residence: Danville, California
* Monte Vista High School, Danville, California
* BS, Chemical Engineering, Univ. of California, Berkeley, 1983,
* MS, Chemical Engineering, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara,
* Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara, 1987
Current position: Research Engineer, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Tsu Tao Chiao, Fairfield, California
Marital status: Single
​Name: Michael R. U. Clifford, Major, USA, Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: October 13, 1952 - Norton AFB, California
Residence: Seabrook, Texas
| Education: | Ben Lomond High School, Ogden, Utah |
| | BS, Basic Science, US Military Academy, 1974 |
| | MS, Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Tech., 1982 |
Current position: Vehicle Integration Test Engineer, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
Parents: John M. Uram, Deceased
Lenore C. Clifford, Ogden, Utah
Marital status: Married to the former Nancy Elizabeth Brunson.
Name: Kenneth D. Cockrell, Pilot
Birthplace/date: April, 9, 1950 - Austin, Texas
Residence: Houston, Texas
* Rockdale High School, Rockdale, Texas
* BS, Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Texas, 1972
* MS, Aero Systems, Univ. of Florida, 1974
* U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland
Current position: Aerospace Engineer & Research Pilot, NASA/Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Buford D, Cockrell, Westminister, South Carolina
Marital status: Married to the former Joan Denise Raines.
​Name: Eileen M. Collins, Major, USAF, Pilot
Birthplace/date: November 19, 1956 - Elmira, New York
Residence: Edwards, California
* Elmira Free Academy, Elmira, New York
* BA, Math, Syracuse Univ., 1978
* MS, Operations Research, Stanford Univ., 1986
* MA, Space Systems Management, Webster Univ., 1989
Current position: Student, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, California
| Parents: | James E. Collins, Elmira, New York |
| | Rose Marie Collins, Elmira, New York |
Marital status: Married to James P. Youngs
Name: William G. Gregory, Captain, USAF, Pilot
Birthplace/date: May 14, 1957 - Lockport, New York
Residence: Edwards, California
* Lockport Senior High School, Lockport, New York
* BS, Engineering Science, USAF Academy, 1979
* MS, Engineering Mechanics, Columbia Univ., 1980
* MS, Management, Troy State, 1984
Current position: Test Pilot, Edwards AFB, California
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. William Gregory, Gilbert, Arizona
Marital status: Married to the former Mary Elizabeth Harney.
​Name: James D. Halsell, Jr., Major, USAF, Pilot
Birthplace/date: September 29, 1956 - Monroe, Louisiana
Residence: Edwards AFB, California
* West Monroe High School, West Monroe, Louisiana
* BS, Engineering, USAF Academy, 1978
* MS, Management, Troy State, 1983
* MS, Space Operations, AF Institute of Technology, 1985
Current position: F-16 & SR-71 Test Pilot, Edwards AFB, California
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. James D. Halsell, West Monroe, Louisiana
Marital status: Single
Name: Bernard A. Harris, Jr., M.D., Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: June 26, 1956 - Temple, Texas
Residence: Houston, Texas
| Education: | San Antonio High School, San Antonio, Texas |
| | BS, Biology, Univ. of Houston, 1978 |
| | MD, Texas Tech Univ., 1982 |
Current position: Medical Officer, NASA/Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
| Parents: | Bernard A. Harris, Sr., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| | Gussie H. Burgess, San Antonio, Texas |
Marital status: Married to the former Sandra Faye Lewis.
​Name: Susan J. Helms, Captain, USAF, Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: February 26, 1958, Charlotte, North Carolina
Residence: Alberta, Canada
| Education: | Parkrose Senior High School, Portland, Oregon |
| | BS, Aerospace Engineering, USAF Academy, 1980 |
| | MS, Aeronautics/Astronautics, Stanford Univ., 1985 |
Current position: Flight Test Engineer, Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment, Alberta, Canada
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Patrick G. Helms, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Marital status: Single
Name: Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: January 22, 1955 - Baltimore, Maryland
Residence: Fairfax, Virginia
| Education: | Kenwood Senior High School, Baltimore, Maryland |
| | BS, Basic Sciences, USAF Academy, 1977 |
| | Ph.D.., Planetary Science, Univ. of Arizona, 1988 |
Current position: Scientist, CIA, Office of Research & Development, Washington, DC
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. David Jones, Essex, Maryland
Marital status: Married to the former Elizabeth Lynn Fulton.
​Name: Ellen Ochoa, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: May 10, 1958 - Los Angeles, California
Residence: Los Altos, California
* Grossmont High School, La Mesa, California
* BS, Physics, San Diego State, 1980
* MS, Electrical Engineering, Stanford Univ., 1981
* Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Stanford Univ., 1985
Current position: Optical Physicist, NASA/Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California
| Parents: | Joseph L. Ochoa and |
| | Rosanne Ochoa, La Mesa, California |
Marital status: Single
Name: Charles J. Precourt, Major, USAF, Pilot
Birthplace/date: June 29, 1955 - Waltham, Massachusetts
Residence: Middletown, Rhode Island
| Education: | Hudson High School, Hudson, Massachusetts |
| | BS, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, 1977 |
| | MS, Management, Golden Gate U., 1988 |
Current position: Student, Naval War College of Command and Staff, Newport, Rhode Island
| Parents: | Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Precourt, Hudson, Massachusetts |
Marital status: Married to the former Lynne Denise Mungle
​Name: William S. McArthur, Jr., Major, USA, Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: July 26, 1951 - Laurinburg, North Carolina
Residence: Houston, Texas
| Education: | Red Springs High School, Red Springs, North Carolina |
| | BS, Applied Sci. & Engr., US Military Academy, 1973 |
| | MS, Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Tech, 1983 |
Current position: Vehicle Integration Test Engineer, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
| Parents: | William S. McArthur, Deceased |
| | Edith P. Avant, Wakulla, North Carolina |
Marital status: Married to the former Cynthia Kathryn Lovin
Name: James H. Newman, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: October 16, 1956 - Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Residence: Houston, Texas
* La Jolla High School, La Jolla, California
* BA, Physics, Dartmouth College, 1978
* MA, Physics, Rice Univ., 1982
* Ph.D., Physics, Rice Univ., 1984
Current position: Simulation Supervisor, NASA/Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
| Parents: | William A. Newman, La Jolla, California |
| | Ruth A. Newman, La Jolla, California |
Marital status: Single
​Name: Richard A. Searfoss, Major, USAF, Pilot
Birthplace/date: June 6, 1956 - Mount Clemens, Michigan
Residence: Lancaster, California
| Education: | Portsmouth Senior High School, Portsmouth, New Hampshire |
| | BS, Aerospace Engineering, USAF Academy, 1978 |
| | MS, Aerospace Engineering, Caltech, 1979 |
Current position: Instructor/Deputy Chief-Flying Qualities, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, California
| Parents: | Stanley G. Searfoss, Lakeland, Florida |
| | Mary K. Searfoss, Deceased |
Marital status: Married to the former Julie McGuire
Name: Ronald M. Sega, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: December 4, 1952 - Cleveland, Ohio
Residence: Seabrook, Texas
* Nordonia High School, Macedonia, Ohio
* BS, Physics/Math, USAF Academy, 1974
* MS, Physics, Ohio State, 1975
* Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Univ. of Colorado, 1982
Current position: Asst. Director for Flight Programs/Professor, Univ. of Houston-Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center, Houston, Texas
| Parents: | Mr. & Mrs. John R. Sega, Arvada, Colorado |
Marital status: Married to Bonnie J. Dunbar
​Name: Nancy J. Sherlock, Captain, USA, Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: December 29, 1958 - Wilmington, Delaware
Residence: Houston, Texas
| Education: | Troy High School, Troy, Ohio |
| | BA, Biological Science, Ohio State, 1980 |
| | MS, Safety Engineering, Univ of Southern CA., 1985 |
Current position: Flight Simulation Engineer, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
| Parents: | Mr. & Mrs. Warren F. Decker, Troy, Ohio |
Marital status: Married to Richard J. Sherlock
Name: Donald A. Thomas, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: May 6, 1955 - Cleveland, Ohio
Residence: Seabrook, Texas
* Cleveland Heights High School, Cleveland, Ohio
* BS, Physics, Case Western Univ., 1977
* MS, Materials Science, Cornell Univ., 1980
* Ph.D., Materials Science, Cornell Univ., 1982
Current position: Materials Engineer, NASA/Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
| Parents: | William G. Thomas, Sr., Englewood, Florida |
| | Irene M. Thomas, American Embassy, Burma |
Marital status: Married to the former Kristine R. Castagnola
​Name: Janice E. Voss, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: October 8, 1956 - South Bend, Indiana
Residence: Houston, Texas
* Minnechang Regional High School, Wilbraham, Mass.
* BS, Engineering Science, Purdue Univ., 1975
* MS, Electrical Engineering, MIT, 1977
* Ph.D., Aero/Astronautics, MIT, 1987
Current position: Manager, Integrations & Operations, Orbital Sciences Corp., Houston, Texas
| Parents: | Mr. & Mrs. James R. Voss, Wilbraham, Massachusetts |
Marital status: Single
Name: Carl E. Walz, Captain, USAF, Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: September 6, 1955 - Cleveland, Ohio
Residence: Henderson, Nevada
| Education: | Charles T. Brush High School, Lyndhurst, Ohio |
| | BS, Physics, Kent State, 1977 |
| | MS, Physics, John Carroll Univ., 1979 |
Current position: Flight Test Program Manager, Air Force Flight Test Center, Pittman Station, Nevada
| Parents: | Mr. & Mrs. Carl J. Walz, South Euclid, Ohio |
Marital status: Married to the former Pamela J. Glady
​Name: Terrence W. Wilcutt, Major, USMC, Pilot
Birthplace/date: October 31, 1949 - Russellville, Kentucky
Residence: NAS Patuxent River, Maryland
| Education: | Southern High School, Louisville, Kentucky |
| | BA, Math, Western Kentucky Univ., 1974 |
Current position: Test Pilot/Project Officer, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland
| Parents: | Mr. & Mrs. George B. Wilcutt, Russellville, Kentucky |
Marital status: Married to the former Robin Jo Moyers
Name: Peter J. K. Wisoff, Ph.D., Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: August 16, 1958 - Norfolk, Virginia
Residence: Houston, Texas
* Norfolk Academy, Norfolk, Virginia
* BS, Physics, Univ. of Virginia, 1980
* MS, Physics, Stanford Univ., 1982
* Ph.D., Applied Physics, Stanford Univ., 1986
Current position: Asst. Professor, Rice University, Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Houston, Texas
| Parents: | Mr. & Mrs. Carl P. Wisoff, Norfolk, Virginia |
Marital status: Single
​Name: David A. Wolf, M.D., Mission Specialist
Birthplace/date: August 23, 1956 - Indianapolis, Indiana
Residence: Houston, Texas
| Education: | BS, Electrical Engineer, Purdue Univ., 1978 |
| | M.D., Indiana Univ., 1982 |
Current position: Aerospace Medical Officer, NASA/Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
| Parents: | Harry Wolf, Indianapolis, Indiana |
| | Dorothy Wolf, Indianapolis, Indiana |
Marital status: Single