John E. Blaha

Blaha graduated from Granby High School in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1960; received a Bachelor of Science in engineering science from the United States Air Force Academy in 1965; and received a Master of Science in astronautical engineering from Purdue University in 1966. ==Air Force service==

Blaha received his pilot wings at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, in 1967. He was subsequently assigned as an operational pilot flying F-4, F-102, F-106, and A-37 aircraft (completing 361 combat missions in Vietnam). He attended the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, in 1971, and piloted the NF-104 research aircraft to 104,400 feet. Following graduation, he served as an F-104 instructor pilot at the test pilot school, teaching low lift-to-drag approach, zoom, performance, stability/control, and spin flight test techniques. In 1973, he was assigned as a test pilot working with the Royal Air Force at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down, United Kingdom. During a three-year tour, he flew stability/control, performance, spin, and weapons delivery flight tests in the SEPECAT Jaguar, Blackburn Buccaneer, BAE Hawk, and BAC Jet Provost aircraft. In 1976, he attended the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College. After graduation, he was assigned to work for the Assistant Chief of Staff, Studies and Analyses, at Headquarters USAF in the Pentagon. During this tour, he presented F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon study results to Department of Defense, State Department, and Congressional staffs. ==NASA==

Selected as an astronaut in May 1980, Blaha has logged 161 days in space on five space missions. In addition to flying five space missions, Blaha has served as the chairman, NASA Space Flight Safety Panel; weather manager, Mission Management Team; lead spacecraft communicator; member, NASA Space Shuttle Improvement Panel. Blaha also led the design, development, and integration of the Orbiter Head Up Display system. Additionally, he led the development of contingency abort procedures which significantly improve crew survivability in the event of multiple main engine failures during ascent. He has logged more than 7,000 hours of flying time in 34 different aircraft, and has written numerous technical articles on spacecraft performance and control. Blaha retired from NASA in September 1997 to return to his hometown of San Antonio, Texas, where he joined the executive management team of the United Services Automobile Association. Space flights STS-29 STS-29 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission using the Discovery. Launched on March 13, 1989, from the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39B, its main objective was the deployment of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-D). Blaha served as the pilot of the STS-29 mission, marking his first spaceflight. STS-33 STS-33 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission involving the Discovery. The shuttle was launched on November 23, 1989, from Launch Complex 39B. STS-43 STS-43 was a shuttle mission aboard the Atlantis. The shuttle launched on August 2, 1991, from Launch Complex 39A. One of the primary objectives of the mission was the deployment of the fifth Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-E. the STS-43 crew conducted various secondary payloads and experiments, which contributed to advancements in a range of scientific fields. Blaha served as the commander for this mission, marking his fourth journey to space. With a duration of 14 days, 0 hours, 12 minutes, and 32 seconds, STS-58 became the longest mission of the Space Shuttle program. Blaha was not permitted to vote in the November 1996 election, because his mission on Mir began before ballots were finalized and lasted beyond Election Day. In 1997, Texas amended its election statutes to permit voting from space, as a result of his predicament. ==Honors==

• Defense Superior Service Medal • Grand Marshal Fiesta Flambeau Parade ==References==