Joseph P. Allen, an American physicist turned astronaut, logged over 3,000 hours in jet aircraft before transitioning to a career with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Selected as part of the second group of scientist-astronauts in 1967, he eventually participated in two major Space Shuttle missions, performing orbital operations that expanded the parameters of space flight.
Academic and Scientific Foundation
Born in Crawfordsville in 1937, Allen pursued a rigorous scientific education. He graduated from Crawfordsville Senior High School in 1955 before earning a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and physics from DePauw University in 1959. He continued his studies at Yale University, obtaining his Master of Science and PhD in physics by 1965. Prior to his NASA selection, he served as a staff physicist at the Yale Nuclear Structure Laboratory and a guest researcher at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
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After completing flight training at Vance Air Force Base, Allen served as mission scientist for Apollo 15 and later as NASA Assistant Administrator for Legislative Affairs. In November 1982, he served as a mission specialist on STS-5, the first operational flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia. The mission demonstrated the deployment of commercial satellites using the Payload Assist Module. Despite a canceled spacewalk due to spacesuit malfunctions, the crew successfully completed 81 orbits before landing at Edwards Air Force Base.
Space Salvage and Later Career
Allen returned to space in 1984 on STS 51-A aboard the Orbiter Discovery. During this mission, he and Commander Dale Gardner performed the first space salvage operation in history, retrieving the Palapa B-2 and Westar VI communications satellites. Following his NASA career, he led Space Industries International and served as chairman of Veridian. He retired in 2004, following the company's acquisition by General Dynamics, and has received honors including induction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Fast facts
- Born: 1937, Crawfordsville, Indiana
- Education: DePauw University (BA), Yale University (MS, PhD)
- NASA Selection: August 1967
- Space Missions: STS-5 (1982), STS 51-A (1984)
- Total Space Time: 314 hours
- Post-NASA Roles: CEO of Space Industries International; Chairman of Veridian
- Notable Recognition: U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame (2005)
- Spouse: Bonnie Jo Darling (married 1961, died 2021)
Questions readers ask
What specific accomplishment is Joseph P. Allen noted for during his space missions?
He is recognized for performing the first space salvage operation in history during the STS 51-A mission, successfully retrieving two commercial satellites.
What was Allen's primary field of academic study?
He specialized in physics, holding both Master of Science and PhD degrees in the field from Yale University.
Achievements
- United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at Yale University, DePauw University and Crawfordsville Senior High School
- Worked as astronaut and physicist
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