Veteran astronauts Gorie and Olivas leave NASA

May 27th, 2010 - 4:15 am ICT by BNO News  

HOUSTON, TEXAS (BNO NEWS) – NASA announced Wednesday that veteran astronauts Dominic Gorie and John “Danny” Olivas are leaving NASA.

Gorie, a retired U.S. Navy captain, is a veteran of four space shuttle flights, having traveled more than 18 million miles in space during his missions, serving as pilot and commander. Gorie served as pilot on shuttle mission STS-91 in 1998 and STS-99 in 2000. He also served as commander on STS-108 in 2001 and STS-123 in 2008.

“Dom is a superlative leader of people who consistently treats others with respect and professionalism,” said Peggy Whitson, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “We will sincerely regret the loss of his candor, humor and professionalism.”

Olivas has flown on two shuttle flights and has accumulated more than 668 hours in space, serving as a mission specialist on STS-117 in 2007 and on STS-128 in 2009. He also conducted five spacewalks, and accumulated more than 34 hours of extravehicular time in space.

“Danny’s expertise in spacewalking and materials engineering will be sorely missed with his departure,” Whitson said.

Olivas’ last day with the agency was Tuesday, May 25 and Gorie’s is June 4.

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