About this item
From the age of ten looking up at the stars Jerry Ross knew that he wanted to journey into space This autobiography tells the story of how he came not only to achieve that goal but to become the most-launched astronaut in history as well as a NASA veteran whose career spanned the entire US Space Shuttle program From his childhood in rural Indiana through education at Purdue University and a career in the US Air Force Ross charted a path to NASA after overcoming many setbacksfrom failing to qualify for Air Force pilot training because of bad eyesight to an initial failure to be selected into the astronaut program The majority of the book is an insiders account of the US Space Shuttle program including the unforgettable experience of launch the delights of weightless living and the challenges of constructing the International Space Station Ross is a uniquely qualified narrator During seven spaceflights he spent hours in space including hours and minutes on nine space walks Life on the ground is also described including the devastating experiences of the Challenger and Columbia disasters For readers who have followed the space program from Mercury through the International Space Station and wonder what comes next this book provides fascination for young people interested in space exploration and reaching for their dreams whatever they might be this book provides inspiration Full of stories of spaceflight that few humans have ever experienced told with humor and honesty Spacewalker presents a unique perspective on the hard work determination and faith necessary to travel beyond this world Key Points An insiders account of the US Space Shuttle program from before its first launch through the final landing and the building of the International SpaceStation A firsthand account of life in space from the first human to fly seven missions An inspirational story of a personal journey from rural Indiana to outer space powered by a deep Christian faith.
About the Author
Jerry L. Ross (Colonel, USAF, Ret.)
NASA astronaut (former)
PERSONAL DATA: Born January 20, 1948, in Crown Point, Indiana. He is married to the former Karen S. Pearson of Sheridan, Indiana. They have two children. He enjoys genealogy, traveling, photography, stained glass, woodworking and model rocketry. His parents, Donald J. Ross and Phyllis E. Ross, are deceased. Karen's mother Wilma Pearson, resides in Sheridan, Indiana; her father is deceased.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Crown Point High School, Crown Point, Indiana, in 1966; received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1970 and 1972, respectively.
ORGANIZATIONS: Lifetime Member of the Association of Space Explorers, the Purdue Alumni Association and the Clan Ross Association of the USA.
SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded two Defense Superior Service Medals, the Air Force Legion of Merit, four Defense Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Force Meritorious Service Medals and the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement. He was a Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School and the recipient of the Outstanding Flight Test Engineer Award, Class 75B. Ross received 15 NASA medals. He was awarded the American Astronautical Society's Victor A. Prather Award for spacewalking achievements (1985, 1990 and 1999) and the Flight Achievement Award (1992, 1996, 1999 and 2002) . Ross received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Purdue University in 2000 and the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award from Purdue University in 2004. His home town school system has named an elementary school in his honor.
AIR FORCE EXPERIENCE: Ross, an Air Force ROTC student at Purdue University, received his commission upon graduation in 1970. After receiving his master's degree from Purdue in 1972, he entered active duty with the Air Force and was assigned to the Ramjet Engine Division of the Air Force Aero-Propulsion Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He conducted computer-aided design studies on ramjet propulsion systems, served as the project engineer for captive tests of a supersonic ramjet missile using a rocket sled track and served as the project manager for preliminary configuration development of the ASALM strategic air-launched missile. From June 1974 to July 1975, he was the Laboratory Executive Officer and Chief of the Management Operations Office. Ross graduated from the USAF Test Pilot School's Flight Test Engineer Course in 1976 and was subsequently assigned to the 6510th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. While on assignment to the 6510th's Flight Test Engineering Directorate, he was project engineer on a limited flying qualities evaluation of the RC-135S aircraft and, as lead B-1 flying qualities flight test engineer, he was responsible for the stability and control and flight control system testing performe
