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C. Gordon Fullerton
| Title |
C. Gordon Fullerton |
| Description |
C. Gordon Fullerton is a research pilot at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. His assignments include a variety of flight research and support activities piloting NASA's B-52 launch aircraft, the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), and other multi-engine and high performance aircraft. Fullerton, who has logged 382 hours in space flight, was a NASA astronaut from September 1969 until November 1986 when he joined the Flight Crew Branch at Dryden. In July 1988, he completed a 30-year career with the U.S. Air Force and retired as a colonel. As the project pilot on the NASA B-52 launch aircraft, Fullerton flew during the first six air launches of the commercially developed Pegasus space vehicle. He was involved in a series of development air launches of the X-38 Crew Recovery Vehicle and in the Pegasus launch of the X-43A Hyper-X advanced propulsion project. Fullerton also flies Dryden's DC-8 Airborne Science aircraft, regularly deployed worldwide to support a variety of research studies, including atmospheric physics, ground mapping and meteorology. In addition to these current activities, Fullerton has been involved in numerous other research programs at Dryden. He was the project pilot on the Propulsion Controlled Aircraft program, during which he successfully landed both a modified F-15 and an MD-11 transport with all control surfaces neutralized, using only engine thrust modulation for control. Assigned to evaluate the flying qualities of the Russian Tu-144 supersonic transport during two flights in 1998, he reached a speed of Mach 2 and became one of only two non-Russian pilots to fly that aircraft. He piloted a Convair 990 modified to test space shuttle landing gear components during many very high-speed landings. Other projects for which he has flown in the past include the C-140 JetStar Laminar Flow Control, F-111 Mission Adaptive Wing, F-14 Variable Sweep Flow Transition, Space Shuttle drag chute and F-111 crew module parachute tests with the B-52, X-29 vortex flow control, and the F-18 Systems Research Aircraft. With more than15,000 hours of flying time, Fullerton has piloted 135 different types of aircraft, including full qualification in the T-33, T-34, T-37, T-38, T-39, F-86, F-101, F-104, F-106, F-111, F-14, F-15, X-29, KC-135, C-140, B-47, and he currently flies the F/A-18, B-52, DC-8, B-747, and T-34C. Born Oct. 11, 1936, in Rochester, N. Y., Fullerton graduated from U.S. Grant High School, Portland, Ore. He earned bachelor of science and master of science degrees in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, in 1957 and l958, respectively. Fullerton entered the U. S. Air Force in July 1958 after working as a mechanical design engineer for Hughes Aircraft Co., Culver City, California. After flight school, he was trained as an F-86 interceptor pilot, and later became a B-47 bomber pilot at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz. In 1964 he was selected to attend, the Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School (now the Air Force Test Pilot School), Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Upon graduation he was assigned as a test pilot with the Bomber Operations Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. Fullerton served as a flight crew member for the Air Force Manned Orbiting Laboratory program from 1966 through1969. After assignment to the NASA Johnson Space Center, as an astronaut Fullerton served on the support crews for the Apollo 14, 15, 16, and 17 lunar missions. In 1977, Fullerton was assigned to one of the two two-man flight crews that piloted the Space Shuttle prototype Enterprise during the Approach and Landing Test Program at Dryden. Fullerton was the pilot on the eight-day STS-3 Space Shuttle orbital flight test mission Mar. 22-30, 1982. The mission exposed the orbiter Columbia to extremes in thermal stress and tested the 50-foot Remote Manipulator System used to grapple and maneuver payloads in orbit. STS-3 landed at White Sands, N.M., because Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards was wet due to heavy seasonal rains. Fullerton was commander of the STS-51F Spacelab 2 mission, launched on July 29, 1985. This mission, with the orbiter Challenger, was the first pallet-only Spacelab mission and the first to operate the Spacelab Instrument Pointing System (IPS). It carried 13 major experiments in the fields of astronomy, solar physics, ionospheric science, life science, and materiel science (a super fluid helium experiment). The mission ended August 6, 1985, with a landing at Dryden. Among the special awards and honors Fullerton has received are the Iven C. Kincheloe Award from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots in 1978, Department of Defense Distinguished Service and Superior Service Medals, Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, NASA Distinguished and Exceptional Service Medals, NASA Space Flight Medals in 1983 and 1985, General Thomas D. White Space Trophy, Haley Space Flight Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Astronautical Society Flight Achievement Awards for 1977, 1981, and 1985, the Certificate of Achievement Award from the Soaring Society of America, and the Ray E. Tenhoff Award from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots in 1992 and 1993. Fullerton was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1982. He is a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, member of Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honorary fraternity, honorary member of the National World War II Glider Pilot Association, and a Fellow of the American Astronautical Society. |
| Date |
01.01.1989 |
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Port side thermal image of C
…
| Title |
Port side thermal image of Columbia's underside during re-entry |
| Description |
S82-29021 (30 March 1982) --- This unique look at the underside of the Space Shuttle Columbia in flight was provided by a Lockheed C-141 Starlifter aircraft and the Ames Kuiper Airborne Observatory. Flying parallel to Columbia's flight path at an altitude of approximately 41,000 feet, the aircraft's infrared imagery system was using a 36-inch telescope to follow the spacecraft, which was at about 185,000 feet when the imagery was recorded. The purpose of the system is to gather high resolution temperature data of the thermal protection system (TPS) during its transitional phase (not peak or turbulent flow phase) about 16.5 minutes after Columbia begins entry into Earth's atmosphere. Exposure time was 4/1000 of a second (or four milliseconds). This image shows the port or commander's side of the spacecraft. Astronauts Jack R. Lousma and C. Gordon Fullerton were aboard the shuttle for eight days in March of 1982. |
| Date |
04.14.1982 |
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| General Description |
STS-108 Shuttle Mission Imagery |
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Pre-STS-3 press conference h
…
| Title |
Pre-STS-3 press conference held at the JSC public affairs facility |
| Description |
Astronauts Jack R. Lousma, center, and C. Gordon Fullerton, left, respond to a visual display of the Columbia and its remote manipulator system in space during a pre-STS-3 press conference. Dr. John Lawrence, public information specialist, is at the far right (25903), Astronaut Lousma, listens as a newsman directs a question his way. In the background is the STS-3 mission logo (25904), Astronaut Fullerton uses an electronic pointer to localize an area on a prjected visual of the OSS payload package to be carried in the cargo bay of the Columbia on STS-3. On far right is Dr. Lawrence (25905). |
| Date Taken |
1982-01-25 |
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Pre-STS-3 press conference h
…
| Title |
Pre-STS-3 press conference held at the JSC public affairs facility |
| Description |
Astronauts Jack R. Lousma, center, and C. Gordon Fullerton, left, respond to a visual display of the Columbia and its remote manipulator system in space during a pre-STS-3 press conference. Dr. John Lawrence, public information specialist, is at the far right (25903), Astronaut Lousma, listens as a newsman directs a question his way. In the background is the STS-3 mission logo (25904), Astronaut Fullerton uses an electronic pointer to localize an area on a prjected visual of the OSS payload package to be carried in the cargo bay of the Columbia on STS-3. On far right is Dr. Lawrence (25905). |
| Date Taken |
1982-01-25 |
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Pre-STS-3 press conference h
…
| Title |
Pre-STS-3 press conference held at the JSC public affairs facility |
| Description |
Astronauts Jack R. Lousma, center, and C. Gordon Fullerton, left, respond to a visual display of the Columbia and its remote manipulator system in space during a pre-STS-3 press conference. Dr. John Lawrence, public information specialist, is at the far right (25903), Astronaut Lousma, listens as a newsman directs a question his way. In the background is the STS-3 mission logo (25904), Astronaut Fullerton uses an electronic pointer to localize an area on a prjected visual of the OSS payload package to be carried in the cargo bay of the Columbia on STS-3. On far right is Dr. Lawrence (25905). |
| Date Taken |
1982-01-25 |
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JSC Astronaut corps, STS-3 v
…
| Title |
JSC Astronaut corps, STS-3 vehicle integration test team and others |
| Description |
Members of the JSC astronaut corps, STS-3 vehicle integration test (VIT) team and other personnel pose for photograph at the completion of a countdown demonstration test (CDDT) and safety briefings at Launch Pad 39A, Kennedy Space Center. Participants are, from the left, Wilbur J. Etbauer, engineer with the VIT team, George W.S. Abbey, Director of Flight Operations at JSC, Astronaut John H. Young, Chief of the Astronaut Office at JSC, Jack Fleming of Rockwell International, Mission Specialist-Astronaut John M. Lounge, Astronaut Daniel C. Brandenstein, Mission Specialist-Astronaut James D. Van Hoften, Astronauts C. Gordon Fullerton and Jack Lousma, prime crew for STS-3, Olan J. Bertrand, VIT team member, Mission Specialist-Astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan, Richard W. Nygren, head of the VIT team, and Astronaut Donald E. Williams. The Columbia is obscured by its service structure on Launch Pad 39A in the background. Part of slide-wire emergency escape system is visible in the picture. |
| Date Taken |
1982-03-17 |
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MOCR activity during Day 6 o
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| Title |
MOCR activity during Day 6 of STS-3 mission |
| Description |
Andrew A. Fullerton, the six-year-old son of STS-3 pilot C. Gordon Fullerton, watches a television monitor in the mission control center's viewing room (28802), Mrs. Marie J. Fullerton in the mission control center's viewing room. Other members of the STS-3 pilot's family are seated on each side of Mrs. Fullerton. His sister, Jeanne Dockham, is at left foreground, son Andrew A., at right foreground. Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Buettner, Mrs. Fullerton's parents, are seated at center, and beyond them is Mrs. Charles R. Fullerton, the astronaut's mother (28803), Mary Ann Austin seated at the remote manipulator sytem (RMS) console in the mission operations control room (MOCR) shares the scene with a representation of a 1/15-scale model of the Canadian-built remote manipulator system arm (28804). |
| Date Taken |
1982-03-27 |
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Pilot Fullerton uses hairbru
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| Title |
Pilot Fullerton uses hairbrush at the WMC door mirror on middeck |
| Description |
Pilot C. Gordon Fullerton uses hygiene kit hairbrush while standing in front of the waste management compartment (WMC) door mirror on aft middeck. Side hatch and panel ML31C appears behind him. |
| Date Taken |
1982-03-31 |
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Pilot Fullerton plans menu a
…
| Title |
Pilot Fullerton plans menu as packaged food and beverages float around him |
| Description |
Pilot C. Gordon Fullerton, wearing the communications carrier assembly (ASSY) mini headset (HDST), beings food preparation on the middeck. Canned goods, sealed packages, beverage containers, etc are attached with velcro to meal tray assemblies (secured on middeck forward lockers) and freefloat around Fullerton. JSC water dispenser kit and portrait of G.W.S. Abbey appears behind Fullerton on port side bulkhead and potable water tank appears below him. |
| Date Taken |
1982-03-31 |
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Astronauts Jack R. Lousma, r
…
| Title |
Astronauts Jack R. Lousma, right, and C. Gordon Fullerton greet the press |
| Description |
Astronauts Jack R. Lousma speaks to news media and friends at Ellington Air Force Base after the landing the the Space Shuttle Columbia at the end of the STS-3 mission. Pilot C. Gordon Fullerton, holding his daughter, stands behind him (28929), wide angle view of STS-3 crew and families on podium (28930). |
| Date Taken |
1982-04-02 |
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Pilot Fullerton dons anti-g
…
| Title |
Pilot Fullerton dons anti-g and ejection escape suit (EES) on middeck |
| Description |
Pilot C. Gordon Fullerton dons anti-gravity (anti-g) suit lower torso, life preserver unit (LPU) on forward port side middeck above potable water tank. |
| Date Taken |
1982-03-31 |
|
Pilot Fullerton prepares mea
…
| Title |
Pilot Fullerton prepares meal on middeck |
| Description |
Pilot C. Gordon Fullerton, wearing communication kit assemblies (ASSY), heats food in carry-on food warmer. Carry-on food warmer is located behind interdeck access ladder on aft middeck and connected to panel MO13Q. |
| Date Taken |
1982-03-31 |
|
Port side thermal image of C
…
| Title |
Port side thermal image of Columbia's underside during re-entry |
| Description |
S82-29021 (30 March 1982) --- This unique look at the underside of the Space Shuttle Columbia in flight was provided by a Lockheed C-141 Starlifter aircraft and the Ames Kuiper Airborne Observatory. Flying parallel to Columbia's flight path at an altitude of approximately 41,000 feet, the aircraft's infrared imagery system was using a 36-inch telescope to follow the spacecraft, which was at about 185,000 feet when the imagery was recorded. The purpose of the system is to gather high resolution temperature data of the thermal protection system (TPS) during its transitional phase (not peak or turbulent flow phase) about 16.5 minutes after Columbia begins entry into Earth's atmosphere. Exposure time was 4/1000 of a second (or four milliseconds). This image shows the port or commander's side of the spacecraft. Astronauts Jack R. Lousma and C. Gordon Fullerton were aboard the shuttle for eight days in March of 1982. |
| Date Taken |
1982-04-14 |
|
Astronauts Jack R. Lousma, r
…
| Title |
Astronauts Jack R. Lousma, right, and C. Gordon Fullerton greet the press |
| Description |
Astronauts Jack R. Lousma speaks to news media and friends at Ellington Air Force Base after the landing the the Space Shuttle Columbia at the end of the STS-3 mission. Pilot C. Gordon Fullerton, holding his daughter, stands behind him (28929), wide angle view of STS-3 crew and families on podium (28930). |
| Date Taken |
1982-04-02 |
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