NASA Astronaut John Olivas

 Full Colour 8"x10" Glossy Photo of John D. (Danny) Olivas U.S. Astronaut.

EXPERIENCE:  After graduating with his undergraduate degree, Olivas worked for the Dow Chemical Company as a mechanical/materials engineer responsible for performing equipment stress/failure analysis for the operating facilities.  Upon completing his master's degree, Olivas pursued his doctorate while supporting engine coating evaluations for C-5 maintenance operations at Kelly Air Force Base.  He also supported the Crew and Thermal Systems Directorate at NASA Johnson Space Center, evaluating materials for application to the next generation space suits.

Upon completing his doctorate, he received a senior research engineer position at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and worked in the development of tools and methodologies for nondestructively evaluating microelectronics and structural materials subjected to space environments.  He was promoted to Program Manager of the JPL Advanced Interconnect and Manufacturing Assurance Program, aimed at evaluating the reliability and susceptibility of state-of-the-art microelectronics for use in future NASA projects.  Throughout his career, he has authored and presented numerous papers at technical conferences and in scientific journals.

NASA EXPERIENCE:  NASA selected Olivas in 1998.  Astronaut Training included orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness survival techniques.  From 1999 to 2002, he was assigned technical responsibilities within the Robotics Branch as lead for the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator Robot and the Mobile Transporter.  From 2002 to 2005 he was assigned to the EVA Branch and supported the research effort focused on developing materials, tools and techniques to perform on-orbit shuttle repair.  In 2006, he served as lead of the Hardware Integration Section of the Space Station Branch, responsible for ensuring proper configuration and integration of future station modules and visiting vehicles.  In 2007 he flew on STS-117 logging 336 hours in space including over 14 EVA hours.  In 2008 he was assigned to the Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) Branch that is responsible for all interface with the flight control team at Mission Control in Houston and the on-orbit STS and ISS crews.  Olivas is assigned to serve as a mission specialist on space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-128 mission, targeted for launch July 30, 2009.  Atlantis will carry a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module filled with science and storage racks to the station.  The mission will include two spacewalks to remove and replace a materials processing experiment outside ESA’s Columbus module and return an empty ammonia tank assembly.  The mission will also exchange ISS crew members.

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE:  STS-117 Atlantis (June 8-22, 2007) was the 118th Shuttle mission and the 21st mission to visit the International Space Station, delivering the second starboard truss segment, the third set of U.S. solar arrays, batteries and associated equipment.  The mission also entailed the first ever on-orbit EVA repair to the Space Shuttle, Atlantis.  During two spacewalks, Olivas accumulated 14 hours and 13 mins of EVA experience.  The mission also delivered and returned with an expedition crew member.  STS-117 returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California, having traveled more than 5.8 million miles in 13-day, 20 hours and 20 minutes.

JULY 2008