Steve Robinson turns the camera on himself Aug. 3 during his repair job underneath Discovery. The shuttle's heat shield, where Robinson removed a pair of protruding gap fillers, is reflected in his visor. (Steve Robinson/NASA photo)
On his third trip, alumnus Steve Robinson is making history — again
Astronaut Steve Robinson made international news in August for his skillful work in space. The experienced mission specialist was authorized to conduct an impromptu repair job that sent him underneath the shuttle to work on its fragile belly for the first time in space history. His efforts ensured a safe landing for the Discovery crew Aug. 9.
Robinson and his fellow Discovery crew members boarded the International Space Station Friday, July 29, from the shuttle as the first crew to visit the space station since 2002.
This is Robinson's third space trip. Each time UC Davis has been watching with keen interest. A good friend, he visits the campus periodically and keeps in touch with our faculty and students. Witness the slideshow above about a tour he hosted at Johnson Space Center in Houston for three chemical engineering and materials science students.
The astronaut has also left indelible memories with staff and faculty. Here are anecdotes, factoids and a story in which Robinson talks about what it's really like to be in space.
- Steve Robinson's podcast from space (MP3, 3.5 minutes)
- "Vomit Comet companion" slideshow
- The truth behind why Robinson chose to be an astronaut
- Undergrad Robinson experimented with gliders, gas tanks, music
- Steve Robinson factoids
- Astronaut down to Earth about shuttle mission (Dateline, 10.17.97)