Astronaut Sandra Magnus Relives Last Space Shuttle Mission, Encourages the Next Generation of Space Explorers at St. Louis Science Center

By Carmelo Turdo

Astronaut Dr. Sandra Magnus spoke to a hometown audience Saturday at the St. Louis Science Center during SciFest 2011 International Science Festival. Dr. Magnus graduated from nearby Belleville High School and received her a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1986 and 1990, respectively, and a doctorate from the School of Material Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1996. She worked for McDonnell Douglas Corporation on the A-12 Stealth project, completed a NASA Fellowship and was selected as an astronaut mission specialist in 1996. Dr. Magnus flew on STS-112 in 2002, ISS Expedition 18 in 2008 and the last Space Shuttle mission - STS-135 in 2011.



Dr. Magnus began her exciting presentation with a video and brilliant slides of her flight aboard STS-135, the final Space Shuttle mission to resupply the ISS, or International Space Station, occupied by six crew members. She humbly, yet confidently, recounted the flight as one of only four crew members tasked to perform a "job of six people" on that crucial last mission. The crew transferred 10,000 pounds of supplies from a pod inside the Shuttle's cargo bay, and loaded 6,000 pounds back into the pod for the return trip back to earth. A space walk was used to bring back a failed ammonia cooling pump module for evaluation. During the mission, Dr. Magnus and the Shuttle crew spent a few spare moments with the ISS crew, and took spectacular photos of the earth.   

Dr. Sandra Magnus is welcomed to SciFest St. Louis  

As the presentation continued, Dr. Magnus praised the Space Shuttle as a vehicle well-designed to carry out the tasks assigned to it - perform work in low earth orbit such as launching, repairing and retrieving spacecraft, carrying out science experiments, building and supplying the ISS and developing an experienced corps of mission specialist astronauts to carry out future long-term objectives in space. However, after the Columbia accident, the investigation board concluded that 2010 would be the deadline for either overhauling the remaining fleet of Shuttles or retiring the Shuttles in preparation for new vehicle development. NASA's new vision for human space flight includes the use of privately-contracted space "taxis" to the ISS and an effort to develop a heavy-lift vehicle rivalling the Saturn V used for the moon landings for beyond earth orbit missions. In the mean time, crew members from all participating nations will have to be launched on Russian Soyuz spacecraft to the ISS.

As for her path to becoming an astronaut, Dr. Magnus related that her interest in math and science in middle school drove her to explore the educational requirements to become an astronaut. "I didn't want to look back on my life and think, 'What if...'"  She continued, "Figure out what you want to do, don't sell yourself short, go for it, see what happens, make a plan, but be flexible enough to adjust it (the plan) as you learn new things, and then you're having a lot of fun on your journey getting to where you want to go." Great advice!

Special thanks to Maria Totoraitis, Al Wiman and Dr. Sandra Magnus for their special assistance to The Aero Experience during the event! 

SciFest 2011 at the St. Louis Science Center continues through this weekend. For the full schedule, please visit http://www.scifeststl.org/.  Here are a few more scenes from SciFest 2011:

(St. Louis Science Center graphic)

St. Louis Science Center Forest Park Entrance

James S. McDonnell Planetarium

Anna Green, Challenger Learning Center Flight Director, talks to students

 

Mercury Spacecraft No. 19, Sigma 7 backup capsule, on display



Gemini Spacecraft 3A test vehicle on display

St. Louis Cardinals Mascot Fredbird Promotes Aeromedical Services As World Series Approaches

By Fred Harl

St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird promoted aeromedical aviation services recently at Safety Day at Truman Elementary School in Farmington, MO. Featured aircraft were the Air Evac Life Team Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 Long Ranger and Arch Eurocopter EC130 B4. The Aero Experience contributor Fred Harl provided these great photos of the event from Farmington. The Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) in St. Louis has successfully concluded, and the World Series has just started. Go Cards! 



Medical Helos Converge on St. Louis - 2011 Air Medical Transport Conference In a Whirl

2011 Air Medical Transport Conference - October 17-19, 2011, St. Louis, Missouri

By Mark Nankivil

This past Friday, October 14, a number of air medical helicopters flew to St. Louis-Downtown Airport in preparation for a short hop over to Cole Street on the North side of the America Center Complex in downtown St. Louis. On Sunday, Cole Street was closed so that the helicopters could be flown in and then prepared prior to bringing them into the convention center for the 2011 Air Medical Transport Conference. The conference is being put on by the Association of Air Medical Services, and is the largest event of its kind in the World.

  

Mercy Air Care Eurocopter EC135 P2+



Besides the helicopters on display, representing both the helicopter manufacturers and operators in the industry, exhibitors included fixed wing aircraft from the likes of Beechcraft, Cessna and others. Other exhibitors covered all aspects of the industry, from specialized on-board medical equipment, flight safety and medical training, to management, communications and the myriad products and services that support the industry as a whole. Throughout the conference, there are 150+ educational sessions  covering all aspects of the industry and at the same time, valuable networking opportunities for those attending.    



Donaldson Filtration Booth



It was great to come across a locally based firm exhibiting their product line and services at the conference. Donaldson Filtration Solutions is located out in the Spirit of St. Louis Airport area and markets air and fluid filtration systems that protect aircraft engines, crew compartments, avionics and hydraulic systems. Across from their display booth was a Bell 429 on display which uses their engine air filtration system, being installed on the airframe right on the production line. Paul M. Ross and Doug Gardner were the sales representatives on hand when I visited. Paul is an accomplished aviation photographer in his own right, while Doug flies a Great Lakes 2T-A1 N847K locally. Check out www.donaldson.aero for a look at their broad product and services line.  



Bell 429 using Donaldson Filtration products



Other Displays included:

IHC Health Services Agusta AW-109SP

Penn Allegheny Health System MD Helicopter MD-900




Hospital Wing American Eurocopter AS350B3  

Helicopters departed on Wednesday, October 19, 2011

 

Construction Helicopters Sikorsky S-61N at Mount Vernon Outland Airport Walkaround

By The Aero Experience Team

During our recent visit to Mount Vernon Outland Airport, we covered the arrival of a Contruction Helicopters Sikorsky S-61N with a load of support equipment for an upcoming mission. We were given a brief tour of the aircraft, noting the belly sling mount and interior cabin capacity for crew and supplies, including ladders and tool boxes. 

Editor's Note: In 2024, this aircraft sports a red and white color scheme and is serving in Haiti.