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Zamka, George David 'Zambo'
American test pilot astronaut 1998-2011. Grew up in Rochester, Michigan. US Marine Corps.
Status: Inactive; Active 1998-2011. Born: 1962-06-29. Spaceflights: 2 . Total time in space: 28.85 days. Birth Place: New Jersey.
Official NASA Biography as of June 2016:George D. Zamka (Colonel, USMC, ret.)
NASA Astronaut (Former)
PERSONAL DATA: Born in 1962 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Raised in New York City; Irvington, New York; Medellin, Colombia; and Rochester Hills, Michigan. Married to the former Elisa P. Walker of Mississippi; they have two children. He enjoys weightlifting, running, bicycling, scuba diving and boating. His mother, Sofia Zamka, and brother, Conrad P. Zamka, both live in Florida. His father, Conrad Zamka, resides in Indiana.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Rochester Adams High School, Rochester Hills, Michigan, in 1980. Received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the United States Naval Academy in 1984; received a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1997.
ORGANIZATIONS: Association of Space Explorers, United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, Marine Corps Association and Marine Corps Aviation Association.
SPECIAL HONORS: NASA Space Flight Medal (two), NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Strike Air Medal (six), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V and various other military service and campaign awards. Distinguished Graduate, United States Naval Academy. Commodore’s list and Academic Achievement Award, Training Air Wing Five. Awarded the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.
EXPERIENCE: Zamka was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from the United States Naval Academy in May 1984. After basic flight training, he was trained as an A-6E pilot at Whidbey Island, Washington, from 1987 to 1988. He then flew with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron VMA(AW)-242 in El Toro, California. He served in administration and flight safety roles and also as squadron weapons and tactics instructor. In 1990, he trained to be an F/A-18 pilot and was assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA(AW)-121, also in El Toro. He flew the F/A-18D Night Attack Hornet during overseas deployments to Japan, Korea, Singapore and Southwest Asia. Zamka flew 66 combat missions over occupied Kuwait and Iraq during Desert Storm. In 1993, he served with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in Camp Pendleton, California, and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Western Pacific. He was selected to attend the United States Air Force Test Pilot School class 94A and graduated in December 1994. Zamka was then assigned as an F/A-18 test pilot/project officer and the F/A-18 operations officer for the Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron (NSATS). While assigned to NSATS, Zamka flew a wide variety of tests in the F/A-18 Hornet, including high angle of attack, loads, flutter, crew equipment and weapon system programs. Zamka returned to VMFA(AW)-121 in 1998 and was serving as the aircraft maintenance officer deployed to Iwakuni, Japan, when he was selected for the astronaut program. Colonel Zamka retired from the Marine Corps in August 2010.
He has logged more than 5,000 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected as a pilot by NASA in June 1998, Zamka reported for astronaut candidate training in August 1998. He has served in various technical and leadership roles in the Astronaut Office, including space rendezvous and proximity operations, landing and rollout instructor and lead for shuttle systems within the Shuttle Operations Branch. Zamka served as lead for the Shuttle Training and Procedures Division and as supervisor for the astronaut candidate class of 2004. In 2007, he completed his first spaceflight as pilot on STS-120. For his second spaceflight, Zamka commanded the crew of STS-130, which flew in February 2010. Colonel Zamka has logged more than 692 hours in space. In March 2013, Zamka retired from NASA. He is now serving as the Deputy Associate Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, for Commercial Space Transportation.
SPACEFLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-120 Discovery (October 23 to November 7, 2007) launched from and returned to land at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. During the mission, the Node 2 element Harmony was delivered to the International Space Station. This element opened up the capability for future international laboratories to be added to the station. In addition, the P6 solar array was relocated from the Z1 truss to the end of the port side of the integrated truss structure. During the redeploy of the array, the array panels snagged and were damaged. An unplanned spacewalk was successfully performed to repair the array. The mission was accomplished in 238 orbits, traveling 6.2 million miles in 15 days, 2 hours and 23 minutes.
STS-130 Endeavour (February 8 to February 21, 2010) launched at night, carrying aloft the final International Space Station permanent modules, Tranquility and Cupola. Tranquility (or Node 3) is now the life-support hub of the station, containing exercise, water recycling and environmental control systems, while Cupola provides the largest set of windows ever to grace a spacecraft. These seven windows, which are arranged in a hemisphere, provide a spectacular and panoramic view of our planet and afford crews a direct view of space station robotic operations. During the 13-day, 18-hour mission, Endeavour and her crew traveled more than 5.7 million miles and completed 217 orbits of the Earth, touching down at night at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
MARCH 2013
This is the only version available from NASA. Updates must be sought from the above-named individual.
NASA Official Biography
- NAME: George D. Zamka (Major, USMC)
- NASA Astronaut Candidate (Pilot)
- PERSONAL DATA:
- Born June 29, 1962 in Jersey City, New Jersey, but considers Rochester, Michigan to be his hometown. Married to the former Elisa P. Walker of Raymond, Mississippi. They have one child. Recreational interests include weight lifting, running, bicycling, scuba and boating. His mother, Sofia Zamka, resides in Lake Mary, Florida. His father, Conrad Zamka resides in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- EDUCATION:
- Graduated from Rochester Adams High School, Rochester Michigan, in 1980; received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the United States Naval Academy in 1984; received a Masters of Science degree in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1997.
- ORGANIZATIONS:
- United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, Marine Corps Association, and Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
- SPECIAL HONORS:
- Navy Strike Air Medal (6), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, and various other military service and campaign awards. Distinguished Graduate, United States Naval Academy. Commodore's list and Academic Achievement Award, Training Air Wing Five.
- EXPERIENCE:
- Zamka was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps following graduation from the United States Naval Academy in May 1984. He graduated from the Marine Corps Basic School in December 1984. Upon completion of Naval Aviator training he reported to Navy Attack Squadron VA-128 for initial A-6 training in August of 1987. He then reported to Marine All Weather Attack Squadron VMA(AW)-242 in El Toro, California. While assigned to VMA(AW)-242, Zamka made an overseas deployment to Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. He attended the Marine Aviation Warfare and Tactics Instructor Course and was assigned as the Squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor. In 1990, he was selected for and completed F/A-18 conversion training and was assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA(AW)-121, also in El Toro, California. He flew the F/A-18D Night Attack Hornet during overseas deployments to Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Southwest Asia. Zamka flew 66 combat missions over occupied Kuwait and Iraq during Desert Storm. In 1993 he served as a forward air controller with First Battalion, Fifth Marines in Camp Pendleton, California and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) aboard USS Belleau Wood in the Western Pacific. He was selected to attend the United States Air Force Test Pilot School class 94A and graduated in December 1994. Zamka was then assigned as an F/A-18 test pilot/project officer and the F/A-18 Operations Officer for the Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron (NSATS). While assigned to NSATS, Zamka flew a wide variety of tests in the F/A-18 Hornet to include high angle of attack, loads, flutter, and weapon system programs. Major Zamka returned to VMFA(AW)-121 in 1998 and was serving as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer, deployed to Iwakuni, Japan when selected for the astronaut program.
He has logged over 2700 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft.
- NASA EXPERIENCE:
- Selected by NASA in June 1998, he reported for training in August 1998. Astronaut Candidate Training includes 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. Following a period of training and evaluation, Zamka will receive technical assignments within the Astronaut Office before being assigned to a space flight.
OCTOBER 1998
More at: Zamka.
Family:
Astronaut.
Country:
USA.
Spacecraft:
ISS.
Flights:
STS-120,
STS-130.
Agency:
USMC.
Bibliography:
12,
6249.
1962 June 29 - .
- Birth of George David 'Zambo' Zamka - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Zamka.
American test pilot astronaut 1998-2011. Grew up in Rochester, Michigan. US Marine Corps. 2 spaceflights, 28.9 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-120 (2007), STS-130..
1985 July 19 - .
- NASA Astronaut Training Group 17 selected. - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Archambault,
Caldwell,
Chamitoff,
Creamer,
Ferguson,
Foreman,
Fossum,
Ham,
Hilliard,
Johnson, Gregory C,
Johnson, Gregory H,
Love,
Melvin,
Morgan,
Nespoli,
Oefelein,
Olivas,
Patrick,
Poindexter,
Pontes,
Reisman,
Swanson,
Vittori.
The group was selected to provide pilot, engineer, and scientist astronauts for space shuttle flights.. Qualifications: Pilots: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. Advanced degree desirable. At least 1,000 flight-hours of pilot-in-command time. Flight test experience desirable. Excellent health. Vision minimum 20/50 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 vision; maximum sitting blood pressure 140/90. Height between 163 and 193 cm.
Mission Specialists: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics and minimum three years of related experience or an advanced degree. Vision minimum 20/150 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20. Maximum sitting blood pressure of 140/90. Height between 150 and 193 cm.. Of 25 Americans, eight pilots and 17 mission specialists.
2007 October 23 - .
2007 October 23 - .
- STS-120 MCC Status Report #02 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Melroy,
Nespoli,
Parazynski,
Tani,
Wheelock,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-10,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120.
The Space Shuttle Discovery is headed to the International Space Station, carrying the Harmony module, destined to become the first expansion of the orbiting complex's living and working space since 2001..
Additional Details: here....
2007 October 23 - .
15:38 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39A.
LV Family:
Shuttle.
Launch Vehicle:
Space Shuttle.
- STS-120 - .
Call Sign: Discovery. Crew: Melroy,
Nespoli,
Parazynski,
Tani,
Wheelock,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Return Crew: Anderson, Clayton,
Melroy,
Nespoli,
Parazynski,
Wheelock,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Payload: Discovery F33 / Harmony / ISS-10A. Mass: 123,400 kg (272,000 lb). Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Melroy,
Nespoli,
Parazynski,
Tani,
Wheelock,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Agency: NASA.
Program: ISS.
Class: Manned.
Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TMA-10,
Soyuz TMA-11,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120,
STS-120 ISS EO-16.
Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle.
Spacecraft: Discovery.
Duration: 15.10 days. Decay Date: 2007-11-07 . USAF Sat Cat: 32272 . COSPAR: 2007-050A. Apogee: 344 km (213 mi). Perigee: 340 km (210 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.40 min.
Main mission objectives were delivery of the Harmony module to the station, and external work to move the P6 truss to its final location and put the ISS into its full-power configuration for the first time. Discovery docked with the ISS at the Destiny module at 12:40 GMT on 25 October. The cargo of 17,390 kg was as follows:
- Orbiter Docking System - Bay 1-2 - 1800 kg
- Spacesuit EMU 3004 - 130 kg
- Spacesuit EMU 3003 - 130 kg
- Station Power Distribution Unit SPDU - Bay 3P - 100 kg
- Fixture for return of S-band Antenna - SASA FSE - Bay 3P - 4S - 100 kg
- Power/Data Grapple Fixture for Node-2 - PDGF - Bay 5P - 50 kg
- Main Bus Switching Unit - MBSU - Bay 6S - 238 kg
- MBSU adapter - Bay 6S - 122 kg
- Station Power Distribution Unit - SPDU - Bay 6S - 7P - 100 kg
- Node-2 Harmony module - Bays 8-12 - 14,300 kg
- OBSS 203 - Sill 450 kg
- RMS 301 - Sill 410 kg
2007 October 24 - .
- STS-120 MCC Status Report #04 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Malenchenko,
Melroy,
Nespoli,
Parazynski,
Tani,
Wheelock,
Whitson,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-10,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120.
The seven-member crew of STS-120 on board Space Shuttle Discovery is ready for tomorrow's rendezvous and docking with the International Space Station, planned for 7:33 a.m. CDT..
Additional Details: here....
2007 October 24 - .
- STS-120 MCC Status Report #03 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Malenchenko,
Melroy,
Nespoli,
Parazynski,
Tani,
Wheelock,
Whitson,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-10,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120.
The astronauts on board Space Shuttle Discovery have begun their first full day in space on a two-week mission to set the stage for delivery of new laboratory modules from two more of the International Space Station's partner agencies..
Additional Details: here....
2007 October 27 - .
- STS-120 MCC Status Report #09 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Malenchenko,
Melroy,
Nespoli,
Parazynski,
Tani,
Wheelock,
Whitson,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-10,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120.
Today is the grand opening of the International Space Station's newest module, a connecting node that will host new laboratory complexes from around the world..
Additional Details: here....
2007 October 28 - .
- STS-120 MCC Status Report #12 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Melroy,
Parazynski,
Tani,
Wheelock,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-10,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120.
Astronauts Scott Parazynski and Dan Tani successfully completed all major tasks during STS-120's second spacewalk, the 17th this year and the 94th dedicated to the International Space Station's assembly and maintenance..
Additional Details: here....
2007 October 29 - .
- STS-120 MCC Status Report #13 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Malenchenko,
Melroy,
Nespoli,
Parazynski,
Tani,
Wheelock,
Whitson,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-10,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120.
With two successful spacewalks completed in three days, the crews on Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station have some time to relax today while also completing a big handoff and getting prepared for another EVA on Tuesday..
Additional Details: here....
2007 October 30 - .
2007 November 3 - .
- ISS On-Orbit Status 11/03/07 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Malenchenko,
Parazynski,
Tani,
Wheelock,
Whitson,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-10,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120.
Day 149 for Clayton Anderson. Flight Day 12 for STS-120/10A; Day 10 of Joint Ops..
Additional Details: here....
2007 November 4 - .
- STS-120 MCC Status Report #26 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Malenchenko,
Melroy,
Nespoli,
Parazynski,
Tani,
Wheelock,
Whitson,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-10,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120.
Spacefarers aboard Discovery and the International Space Station congratulated one another on a successful docked mission, shared hugs and farewells and closed the hatches 210 miles above the Pacific Northwest at 2:03 p.m. CST..
Additional Details: here....
2007 November 5 - .
2007 November 5 - .
- STS-120 MCC Status Report #28 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Zamka.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-10,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120.
Space shuttle Discovery's crew left the International Space Station this morning after almost 11 days of joint operations with the Expedition 16 crew. After inspecting the orbiter's heat shield for any micrometeoroid damage, the astronauts turned their attention to returning home on Wednesday. Additional Details: here....
2007 November 6 - .
- STS-120 MCC Status Report #29 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Malenchenko,
Melroy,
Parazynski,
Wheelock,
Whitson,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-10,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120.
Landing preparations are the order of the day for the seven astronauts on space shuttle Discovery, who are planning to conclude a two-week mission with a Wednesday landing at the Kennedy Space Center..
Additional Details: here....
2007 November 7 - .
- STS-120 MCC Status Report #32 - .
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Malenchenko,
Melroy,
Nespoli,
Parazynski,
Tani,
Wheelock,
Whitson,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Program: ISS.
Flight: Soyuz TMA-10,
STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120.
After 6.25 million miles and 15 days, space shuttle Discovery landed safely in Florida completing its 34th mission and circling the Earth 238 times..
Additional Details: here....
2007 November 7 - .
18:01 GMT - .
- Landing of STS-120 - .
Return Crew: Anderson, Clayton,
Melroy,
Nespoli,
Parazynski,
Wheelock,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Anderson, Clayton,
Melroy,
Nespoli,
Parazynski,
Wheelock,
Wilson,
Zamka.
Program: ISS.
Flight: STS-117 ISS EO-15,
STS-120.
2010 February 8 - .
09:14 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Cape Canaveral.
Launch Complex:
Cape Canaveral LC39A.
LV Family:
Shuttle.
Launch Vehicle:
Space Shuttle.
- STS-130 - .
Call Sign: Endeavour. Crew: Behnken,
Hire,
Patrick,
Robinson,
Virts,
Zamka.
Payload: Endeavour F24 / Tranquility / Cupola. Mass: 121,320 kg (267,460 lb). Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Behnken,
Hire,
Patrick,
Robinson,
Virts,
Zamka.
Agency: NASA.
Program: ISS.
Class: Manned.
Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TMA-16,
Soyuz TMA-17,
STS-130.
Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle.
Spacecraft: Endeavour.
Duration: 13.75 days. Decay Date: 2010-02-22 03:20:00 . USAF Sat Cat: 36394 . COSPAR: 2010-004A. Apogee: 348 km (216 mi). Perigee: 334 km (207 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.40 min. Docked with the ISS at 05:06 GMT on 10 February. Primary payloads were the Tranquility module and the Cupola, a robotic control station with six windows around its sides and another in the center, providing a 360-degree view around the station..
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