George D. Nelson
George Driver "Pinky" Nelson is an American physicist, astronomer, educator, and former NASA astronaut selected with NASA Astronaut Group 8 in 1978. He flew three shuttle missions and became closely associated with early shuttle and post-Challenger return-to-flight work.
- Born
- July 13, 1950
- Died
- N/A
- Birthplace
- Charles City, Iowa,United States
Flights
3
Spacewalks
2
EVA time
10 hours, 6 minutes
In space
17 days, 2 hours, 43 minutes
Bio
Nelson trained in physics and astronomy before joining NASA. His scientific background was paired with operational assignments involving satellite servicing, EVA tasks, and shuttle payload work.
His first flight was STS-41-C, the mission that deployed LDEF and repaired the Solar Maximum Mission satellite. Nelson later flew STS-61-C and STS-26, the first shuttle mission after the Challenger accident.
STS-26 made Nelson part of the crew that helped restore NASA's crewed shuttle operations. That mission connected his career not just to satellite repair, but to the rebuilding of shuttle confidence after a national tragedy.
After NASA, Nelson became an educator and science advocate. His work links astronaut operations with the effort to make science and spaceflight understandable to students.