Radio amateurs fill key NASA space flight positions

Two veteran astronauts and Amateur Radio licensees have been named to key space flight posts at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston.

Bob Cabana, KC5HBV, who has flown on four shuttle flights, has been named JSC Deputy Director.

Ken Bowersox, KD5JBP, will replace Cabana as director of flight crew operations. Cabana succeeds Brock “Randy” Stone, who is retiring after 36 years with NASA that included work on the Apollo lunar missions, Skylab, the space shuttle, and the International Space Station.

“These two appointments really enhance the strong team we have leading us into the space shuttle’s return to flight and continuing space station operations,” said NASA Associate Administrator for Space Flight William Readdy.

JSC Director Jefferson D. Howell Jr said Cabana and Bowersox “bring a wealth of experience in human space flight and an understanding of the importance of space exploration. Their leadership will help us as we move forward in our journey of discovery.”

Cabana has logged more than 1000 hours in space. Bowersox has flown on five space missions and spent more than five months aboard the ISS as commander of Expedition 6, where he participated from NA1SS during Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) school group and casual contacts.

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