At age 25, Anthony W. England became the youngest candidate selected for the NASA astronaut program in August 1967. His career bridge spans the early Apollo era support missions through the operational Space Shuttle program and later academic leadership in electrical engineering, reflecting the shifting priorities of American space exploration during the late twentieth century.
Academic Foundation and Early NASA Tenure
Born in Indianapolis on May 15, 1942, England grew up in West Fargo, North Dakota, before attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in 1965, followed by a doctorate in 1970, focusing on Earth and planetary sciences. Selected as a scientist-astronaut in 1967, he underwent flight training at Laughlin Air Force Base, earning his wings in 1969. During the Apollo 13 and 16 missions, he served as a support crewman, notably providing instructions for the construction of lithium hydroxide canisters during the Apollo 13 emergency.
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In 1972, England resigned from NASA to join the United States Geological Survey, where he served as deputy chief of the Office of Geochemistry and Geophysics. His work included developing radar technologies to study glaciers in Washington, Alaska, and the Antarctic. He returned to NASA in 1979, eventually managing the operation mission development group. In 1985, he served as a mission specialist on STS-51-F aboard the Challenger, where he operated the Spacelab Instrument Pointing System and the Remote Manipulator System, contributing to 13 major experiments before retiring from the agency in 1988.
Academic Leadership and Public Service
Following his NASA career, England transitioned to academia, teaching Remote Sensing Geophysics at Rice University before joining the University of Michigan. He served as the dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan–Dearborn. Beyond his faculty roles, he contributed to the Michigan Pipeline Safety Advisory Board and the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority. In 2024, the Dearborn campus renamed its Engineering Lab Building in his honor, marking his long-standing service to the institution and the field of engineering.
Fast facts
- Born: 15 May 1942, Indianapolis
- Education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- NASA Selection: August 1967
- Space Flight: STS-51-F, 1985
- Total Space Time: 188 hours
- Professional Membership: IEEE Fellow
- Key Award: NASA Space Flight Medal, 1985
- Academic Role: Dean, University of Michigan–Dearborn
Questions readers ask
Did Anthony W. England fly on Apollo missions?
No, he served as a support crewman for Apollo 13 and 16 but did not fly as an astronaut during those missions.
What was his primary contribution during the STS-51-F mission?
He was responsible for operating the Spacelab Instrument Pointing System and the Remote Manipulator System.
Achievements
- Affiliated with University of Michigan, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and United States Geological Survey
- Educated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and West Fargo High School
- Worked as astronaut, engineer and chemist
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