Two space shuttle missions, STS-41 and STS-49, served as the primary milestones in the orbital career of Bruce E. Melnick. Selected by NASA in 1987, he achieved the distinction of becoming the first United States Coast Guard aviator to enter space, transitioning from developmental helicopter testing into the technical rigors of high-altitude space flight.
Military Foundation and Aviation
Before joining the space program, Melnick served two decades in the United States Coast Guard, reaching the rank of commander. His engineering background was central to his role as operations officer and chief test pilot at the Coast Guard Aircraft Program Office in Grand Prairie, Texas. During this period, he managed developmental and acceptance test flights for the HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, including critical sea trials, and authored the aircraft's flight manual. His military service was marked by numerous commendations, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Secretary of Transportation Heroism Award, with a flight log exceeding 5,000 hours in diverse aircraft such as the HH-3F Pelican and T-38 Talon.
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Melnick served as a mission specialist on two shuttle flights. In October 1990, the STS-41 mission aboard Discovery successfully deployed the Ulysses spacecraft to study solar activity. The crew conducted experiments including the Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Instrument and plant cell research. In May 1992, he participated in the maiden flight of Endeavour, designated STS-49. This mission was notable for its complex series of spacewalks to retrieve and repair the stranded Intelsat VI satellite, which included the first three-person spacewalk. Both missions concluded with landings at Edwards Air Force Base.
Post-NASA Industry Roles
Upon retiring from the Coast Guard and leaving NASA in July 1992, Melnick transitioned into the aerospace industry. He held positions at Lockheed Space Operations Company and United Space Alliance before joining the Boeing Company. At Boeing, he served as a vice president for Florida operations within the Integrated Defense Systems group, managing support services for programs including the International Space Station and the Delta rocket fleet. Headquartered in Titusville, Florida, his team provided essential engineering and facility support to NASA and the Department of Defense until his retirement in 2008.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949, New York City
- Military Rank: Commander, United States Coast Guard
- NASA Selection: 1987
- First Space Flight: October 1990, STS-41
- Second Space Flight: May 1992, STS-49
- Total Flying Hours: Over 5,000
- Education: United States Coast Guard Academy, University of West Florida
- Retirement: 2008
Questions readers ask
Was Bruce E. Melnick the first Coast Guard pilot in space?
Yes, he was the first Coast Guard aviator to participate in the space program and the first to travel into space.
Which spacecraft did Melnick help repair while in orbit?
During the STS-49 mission in 1992, Melnick was part of the crew that captured and repaired the Intelsat VI satellite.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at Georgia Tech, United States Coast Guard Academy and University of West Florida
- Worked as astronaut, military officer and military aviator
