Shuttle Mission Led By Former Air Force Pilot

With the recent NASA launch of the space shuttle Discovery, Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Eileen Collins begins her latest mission, but it’s no ordinary mission. Collins is in command of the first NASA launch in two and half years since the Columbia tragedy that claimed the lives of seven astronauts. Under Collins’ command, the 12-day mission is hoping to ease fears and concerns of manned space flight – a difficult task under any circumstances, but Collins, who colleagues describe as cool and calm, is ready for the challenge.

After graduating from the AFROTC program at Syracuse University, Collins joined the Air Force. She quickly climbed the ranks at the Air Force Test Pilot School in California, becoming only the second woman to graduate from there. In 1990, she became the first woman selected by NASA to enter their program. She became the first female shuttle pilot in 1995, and then debuted as shuttle commander in 1999.

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