Richard Douglas Husband (July 12, 1957 – February 1, 2003) was an American astronaut and fighter pilot. He traveled into space twice: as pilot of STS-96 and commander of STS-107. Husband and the rest of the crew of STS-107 were killed when Columbia disintegrated during reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. He is also a recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
Rick Husband
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January 1999 portrait
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| Born | Rick Douglas Husband (1957-07-12)July 12, 1957
Amarillo, Texas, U.S.
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| Died | February 1, 2003(2003-02-01) (aged 45)
Over Texas, U.S.
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| Cause of death | Space Shuttle Columbia disaster |
| Education | Texas Tech University (BS) California State University, Fresno (MS) |
| Awards |
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| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
| Rank | Colonel, USAF |
Time in space | 25d 17h 33m |
| Selection | NASA Group 15 (1994) |
| Missions | STS-96 STS-107 |
Mission insignia |   |
Husband was born on July 12, 1957, in Amarillo, Texas.[1] At age 17, he earned his pilot's license while flying out of Tradewind Airport. Husband graduated with honors from Amarillo High School in 1975.
Husband earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University in 1980 after five years of study. He earned his Master of Science degree from Fresno State University. Upon graduation, Husband was commissioned as a pilot in the United States Air Force, having been enrolled in ROTC his last two years of college. Husband underwent pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, in Enid, Oklahoma. This was followed by Land Survival School at Fairchild Air Force Base, in Spokane, Washington, and Fighter Lead-in School in New Mexico. After getting married on February 27, 1982, Husband trained in the F-4atHomestead Air Force Base next.[2]
Husband was assigned to a squadron at Moody Air Force BaseinValdosta, Georgia flying the F-4E. Rick then transferred to George AFB, in Victorville, California in December 1985, where he became an F-4 instructor. By then, Husband had accumulated 1000 hours of flying time.[2]: 30, 32
In December 1987, Husband was assigned to Edwards Air Force BaseinCalifornia, where he attended the USAF Test Pilot School class 88A along with future Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield. Upon completion of test pilot school, Husband served as a test pilot flying the F-4 and all five models of the F-15 Eagle. In the F-15 Combined Test Force, he was the program manager for the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 increased performance engine, and also served as the F-15 Aerial Demonstration Pilot.
In June 1992, Husband was assigned to the Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment at Boscombe Down, England, as an exchange test pilot with the Royal Air Force. At Boscombe Down, he was the Tornado GR1 and GR4 Project Pilot and served as a test pilot in the Hawk, Hunter, Buccaneer, Jet Provost, Tucano, and Harvard.
Husband logged over 3,800 hours of flight time in more than 40 different types of aircraft.[1]
Husband was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in December 1994, the same week he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.[2]: 67 Husband reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995 to begin a year of training and evaluation. Upon completion of training, he was named the Astronaut Office representative for Advanced Projects at Johnson Space Center, working on Space Shuttle Upgrades, the Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) and studies to return to the Moon and travel to Mars. Husband eventually served as Chief of Safety for the Astronaut Office. He flew as pilot on STS-96 in 1999, and logged 235 hours and 13 minutes in space. Husband was later assigned to command the crew of STS-107, which was launched early in 2003. Along with the rest of the STS-107 crew, Husband was killed upon reentry when the shuttle disintegrated over Texas.
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US Air Force Command Astronaut Badge |
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal (posthumous) |
 
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Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Aerial Achievement Medal |
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Air Force Commendation Medal |
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Congressional Space Medal of Honor (posthumous) |
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NASA Distinguished Service Medal (posthumous) |
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NASA Space Flight Medal (posthumous) |
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National Defense Service Medal |
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Air Force Longevity Service Award with two oak leaf clusters |
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Air Force Training Ribbon |
Husband describes how he became a shuttle commander having flown in only one other space flight:
Rick Husband before his first flight:
Husband was also well known for his faith, and in the last-request forms that astronauts fill out before every flight, he left his pastor a personal note:
Husband's wife, Evelyn (born September 18, 1958), details her Christian life with Rick and his struggles to fulfill his lifelong dream to become an astronaut in the 2004 book High Calling: The Courageous Life and Faith of Space Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband co-written with Donna VanLiere. They had two children: Laura Marie (born October 5, 1990) and Matthew (born August 3, 1995). Evelyn married Bill Thompson in January 2008 and was the keynote speaker for the memorial ceremony at the Astronaut Memorial "Space Mirror" at the Kennedy Space CenterinFlorida, five years after the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy.[8]
