Three astronauts have been named to complete the STS-109 crew already in training for a mission that will feature five spacewalks to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope later this year. Shuttle astronauts will install an advanced camera for surveys, a device to mechanically cool science instruments and new high-power solar arrays.
Scott Altman, (Cmdr., USN), a two-time shuttle veteran, will command the STS-109 mission. He will be joined on the flight deck by pilot Duane Carey, (Lt. Col., USAF), making his first space flight, and flight engineer Nancy Currie (Lt., USA, Ph.D.). Currie has three previous space flights to her credit.
They join the previously assigned crew members -- payload commander John Grunsfeld, James Newman, Richard Linnehan and Michael Massimino.
STS-109 will mark Altman's first flight as commander, having previously flown as pilot on STS-90 in 1998 and STS-106 in 2000. Currie, who brings extensive experience as a flight engineer and robotic arm operator, flew on STS-57 in 1993, STS-70 in 1995 and STS-88 in 1998. A space rookie, Carey was selected as an astronaut in 1996.
Grunsfeld has flown three times, STS-67 in 1995, STS-81 in 1997 and STS-103 in 1999 when he performed two spacewalks to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Newman, veteran of three space flights, STS-51 in 1993, STS-69 in 1995 and STS-88 in 1998, has conducted four previous spacewalks. Linnehan flew on STS-78 in 1996 and STS-90 in 1998. Massimino is a member of the 1996 astronaut class.
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