Two NASA Space Shuttle missions served as the primary venue for Byron K. Lichtenberg, who distinguished himself as one of the initial Payload Specialists sent into orbit. His dual expertise in engineering and aviation allowed him to bridge the gap between complex scientific research and the rigorous demands of human spaceflight during the 1980s and 1990s.
Scientific Contributions in Orbit
Lichtenberg’s spaceflight career involved extensive research across two primary missions. During the 1983 STS-9 flight, he spent ten days conducting investigations into life sciences, materials science, solar physics, and plasma physics. He returned to space in 1992 for the ATLAS-1 mission, spending nine days focused on 13 specific experiments related to astronomy and atmospheric sciences. In total, his orbital career consisted of 310 orbits and 468 logged hours in space. Between 1978 and 1984, he acted as a researcher for Massachusetts Institute of Technology, contributing to vestibular experiments on various Spacelab flights.
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Before and during his civilian research career, Lichtenberg served as a U.S. Air Force pilot for 23 years. He reached the rank of lieutenant colonel within the Massachusetts Air National Guard. His military service included flying 138 combat missions throughout the Vietnam War. For his actions in the field, he was decorated with two Distinguished Flying Crosses and ten Air Medals. Beyond his military career, he operated as a captain for Southwest Airlines.
Commercial Aerospace Development
Beyond government-funded missions, Lichtenberg focused on the commercialization of space technology. He co-founded Payload Systems, Inc., an entity that provided hardware for experiments on the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle. This firm also achieved a milestone as the first commercial user of the Mir Space Station, where it facilitated protein crystal growth studies. Currently, he serves as the Chief Technical Officer for the Zero Gravity Corporation, which focuses on providing weightless aircraft flight experiences to the public.
Academic and Professional Background
Lichtenberg earned his Sc.B. in aerospace engineering from Brown University in 1969. He continued his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he obtained an S.M. in mechanical engineering in 1975 and an Sc.D. in biomedical engineering in 1979. He maintains professional memberships in organizations including the Association of Space Explorers and the X-Prize Foundation. Today, he functions as a professor at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Stroudsburg
- Education: Brown University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Military Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Space Missions: STS-9, ATLAS-1
- Total Time in Space: 468 hours
- Notable Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
- Current Role: Professor at LeTourneau University
Questions readers ask
What is the significance of the Spacelab missions?
These missions allowed for specialized scientific research in orbit, with Lichtenberg conducting experiments in diverse fields ranging from plasma physics to materials science.
What company did Byron Lichtenberg co-found?
He co-founded Payload Systems, Inc., which provided flight hardware for NASA and conducted commercial protein crystal growth experiments on the Mir Space Station.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at Brown University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Worked as military officer, astronaut and engineer
