The first mass measuring devices developed for use in space flight were created by William E. Thornton, ensuring astronauts could accurately monitor their physical health while orbiting the Earth. As a scientist-astronaut and physician, he fundamentally changed the understanding of human physiological adaptation during long-duration missions by pioneering methods to combat bone and muscle mass loss.
Academic and Military Foundation
Born in Faison, North Carolina, in 1929, Thornton pursued a path blending physical sciences and medicine. He earned a Bachelor of Science in physics from the University of North Carolina in 1952 before completing his medical degree at the same institution in 1963. His early professional career included a period as an Air Force officer, where he managed instrumentation laboratories and consulted on air proving ground command operations. Following his medical internship at Wilford Hall USAF Hospital, he returned to active duty, completing flight surgeon training in 1964 and engaging in specialized space medicine research.
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Selected as a scientist-astronaut in 1967, Thornton transitioned from laboratory research to active space exploration support. He participated in the Skylab Medical Experiments Altitude Test, a 56-day simulation that established critical baseline data for human health in orbit. His investigations identified significant physical shifts, including changes in posture and the loss of fluid during microgravity exposure. To mitigate these risks, he developed essential equipment such as the Shuttle treadmill and various exercise hardware, advocating for fitness as a primary countermeasure against the rigors of space travel.
Mission Experience and Innovation
Thornton participated in two missions aboard the space shuttle Challenger. During the STS-8 flight in 1983, he conducted continuous neurological and physiological measurements, becoming the oldest person to fly in space at that time. He later served on STS-51B in 1985, overseeing the first animal payload on a shuttle mission. Throughout his career, he secured more than 60 patents, including real-time EKG analysis systems and improved waste collection devices. After retiring from NASA in 1994, he held academic roles at the University of Texas Medical Branch and the University of Houston–Clear Lake.
Fast facts
- Born: 1929, Faison, North Carolina
- Died: 2021, Boerne, Texas
- Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- NASA Group: Scientist-astronaut, Group 6
- Space Missions: STS-8, STS-51B
- Total Spaceflight Time: 313 hours
- Patents Held: Over 60
- Final Retirement: May 31, 1994
Questions readers ask
What medical innovations did William E. Thornton contribute to NASA?
He developed the first in-flight mass measuring devices, the shuttle treadmill for exercise, and advanced apparatuses for lower body negative pressure.
Which shuttle missions did Thornton fly on?
He served as a scientist-astronaut on the STS-8 mission in 1983 and the STS-51B Spacelab-3 mission in 1985.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration and University of Houston
- Educated at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Worked as military officer, astronaut and physician
