Joe F. Edwards, Jr.

Infobox Astronaut
name =Joe Frank Edwards, Jr.


type =Astronaut
nationality =American
date_birth =February 3, 1958
place_birth =Richmond, Virginia
occupation =Test pilot
rank =Commander, USN
selection =1994 NASA Group
time =8d 19h 48m
mission =STS-89
insignia =

Joe Frank Edwards, Jr., (born February 3, 1958), (Commander, USN, Ret.) is a former NASA Astronaut.

Edwards was born in Richmond, Virginia, and considers Lineville, Alabama, and Roanoke, Alabama, to be his hometowns. He is married to the former Janet Leigh Ragan of Leonardtown, Maryland. He enjoys basketball, running, football and softball. His parents, Joe Frank and Jane McMurray Edwards, reside in Roanoke, Alabama.

He graduated from Lineville High School, Lineville, Alabama, in 1976. Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, 1980. Master of Science degree in Aviation Systems from University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1994.

He is a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Association of Naval Aviation, and U.S. Naval Institute.

He has received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Superior Service Medal, Air Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Daedalian Superior Airmanship Award 1992, Fighter Squadron 143 Fighter Pilot of the Year, 1984, 1985, Fighter Squadron 142 Fighter Pilot of the Year, 1990, 1991, 1992. Carrier Airwing Seven Pilot of the Year, 1985, 1990, 1991.

He was designated a Naval Aviator in February 1982. Assigned to Fighter Squadron 143 in 1983 after completion of F-14 Tomcat training. Flew fighter escort and reconnaissance combat missions over Lebanon in 1983 and graduated from U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School in 1984. Graduated from U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1986 and subsequently worked as project flight test officer and pilot for F-14A(PLUS) and F-14D Full Scale Development. Flew the first Navy flight of the F-14D and a high angle of attack/departure from controlled flight test program for the F-14 airframe/F110 engine integration. Served as Operations and Maintenance Officer in Fighter Squadron 142 1989-1992. Worked as Operations Officer in the Operations Directorate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C. from 1992-1994. He has flown 4000 hours in over 25 different aircraft and logged over 650 carrier-arrested landings.

In 1991, while serving as maintenance officer of VF-142, he was flying in the Persian Gulf at 0.9 IMN at 29,000 feet when the radome separated from his airplane, impacted, and destroyed his canopy. With a blinded eye, collapsed lung, broken arm and no communications or flight instruments, he recovered his "convertible" Tomcat with his NORDO RIO hunkered down in the rear cockpit aboard the USS Eisenhower. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for this superior display of airmanship under grave circumstances.

He was selected as an astronaut by NASA in December 1994. Edwards reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. He has worked on technical issues for the Space Shuttle and Space Station in the Safety Department of the Astronaut Office. He also served as Technical Assistant to the Director, Flight Crew Operations Directorate, NASA Director of Operations (DOR), Russia, and Astronaut CAPCOM representative in Mission Control for Shuttle ascent and entry.

He flew on STS-89 (January 22–31, 1998), the eighth Shuttle-Mir docking mission, during which the crew transferred more than 9,000 pounds (4,000 kg) of scientific equipment, logistical hardware and water from Space Shuttle Endeavour to Mir. In the fifth and last exchange of a U.S. astronaut, STS-89 delivered Andy Thomas to Mir and returned with David Wolf. Mission duration was 8 days, 19 hours and 47 seconds, traveling 3.6 million miles (5.8 million km) in 138 orbits of the Earth.

Edwards retired from NASA and the U.S. Navy on April 30, 2000. He is currently involved with several companies around the country in the areas of technology, aviation, and business development.

External links

* [http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/edwards_joe.htm Spacefacts biography of Joe F. Edwards, Jr.]