October 25, 2007

2007 HOTTEST 25 PEOPLE IN ORANGE COUNTY

Tracy Caldwell
Hometown hero

NASA mission specialist, space shuttle Endeavour
AGE: 38
RESIDENCE: Houston, Texas
FAMILY: Single

Tracy Caldwell is literally 1 in a million. The former Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine student reached this lofty position Aug. 8, when she and 6 others blasted off aboard the space shuttle Endeavour and docked with the International Space Station.

Of the last 5 competitions for shuttle astronauts, only 53 were selected from an estimated 2,000 to 8,000 applicants; of these, few are civilians.

In 1993, Caldwell received her bachelor’s degree at CSUF and earned a doctorate in physical chemistry at UC Davis 4 years later. NASA contacted her about an out-of-this-world job as mission specialist while she was conducting postdoctoral work in atmospheric research at UCI.

While aboard the Endeavour, Caldwell videotaped the jettisoning of the external fuel tank after launch, monitored sensors while the shuttle docked with the International Space Station, maneuvered the shuttle’s robotic arm to inspect the spacecraft for damage – and celebrated her 38th birthday.

Caldwell had her eyes on the heavens as a child, when she’d lie outside on her back and gaze up at the stars. This fueled her desire to excel at a very early age.

Like virtually all high achievers, Caldwell doesn’t dwell on the negatives; she accepts the inherent dangers of space flight and even sees it as less dangerous than driving a car. Selfless by nature, she believes that what she can give to NASA, and scientific knowledge in general, is far more important than any risk involved.

When not wearing a space suit, Caldwell speaks Spanish and Russian, and is fluent in American Sign Language; she’s also an expert mechanic. However, Earth’s gravity can’t hold down this astronaut: She also has a private pilot’s license.

—Larry Urish