Name: Donald A. Thomas
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio
Birthdate: May 6, 1955
Education: Thomas graduated from Cleveland Heights High School. He earned a B.S. in physics from Case Western Reserve University and a M.S. and doctorate in materials science from Cornell.
Previous Experience: Thomas worked for AT&T Labs in Princeton following his graduation. He was also an adjunct professor of physics at Trenton State College. He left AT&T to work for Lockheed Engineering in 1987, where his responsibilities included reviewing materials used in the Space Shuttle program. Thomas is also a private pilot with more than 250 hours in single engine aircraft and more than 800 hours as a mission specialist in NASA T-38 jet aircraft.
NASA Experience: Thomas was selected by NASA in 1990 and became an astronaut in 1991. He was CAPCOM (spacecraft communicator) for Shuttle missions STS-47,52, and 53. He was mission specialist aboard STS-65 (1994), STS-70 (1995), STS-83 (1997), and STS-94 (1997).
Post-NASA Positions: Thomas retired from NASA in 2007.
Awards: Thomas graduated with honors from CWRU. In addition, he received the NASA Sustained Superior Achievement Award, 4 NASA Group Achievement Awards, and 4 NASA Space Flight medals.
Family: Thomas is married and has one son.
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio
Birthdate: May 6, 1955
Education: Thomas graduated from Cleveland Heights High School. He earned a B.S. in physics from Case Western Reserve University and a M.S. and doctorate in materials science from Cornell.
Previous Experience: Thomas worked for AT&T Labs in Princeton following his graduation. He was also an adjunct professor of physics at Trenton State College. He left AT&T to work for Lockheed Engineering in 1987, where his responsibilities included reviewing materials used in the Space Shuttle program. Thomas is also a private pilot with more than 250 hours in single engine aircraft and more than 800 hours as a mission specialist in NASA T-38 jet aircraft.
NASA Experience: Thomas was selected by NASA in 1990 and became an astronaut in 1991. He was CAPCOM (spacecraft communicator) for Shuttle missions STS-47,52, and 53. He was mission specialist aboard STS-65 (1994), STS-70 (1995), STS-83 (1997), and STS-94 (1997).
Post-NASA Positions: Thomas retired from NASA in 2007.
Awards: Thomas graduated with honors from CWRU. In addition, he received the NASA Sustained Superior Achievement Award, 4 NASA Group Achievement Awards, and 4 NASA Space Flight medals.
Family: Thomas is married and has one son.