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Creation Date
2019
Biography
Mark Lee is currently the Director of Aerospace Facilities for Affiliated Engineers. Lee is married to the former Paula Marie Simon of Chicago, Illinois. They have three boys, Erik, Matthew, and Jonathon.
Lee received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1974, and a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980.
SPECIAL HONORS: Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, 2 Air Force Commendation Medals, 4 NASA Space Flight Medals, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, NASA Public Service Group Achievement Award, and 2 NASA Exceptional Service Medals.
EXPERIENCE: Following pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and F-4 upgrade at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Lee spent 2-1/2 years at Okinawa Air Base, Japan, flying F-4’s in the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Following this assignment, he began his studies at MIT in 1979 specializing in graphite/epoxy advanced composite materials. After graduation in 1980, he was assigned to Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, in the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Program Office, as the operational support manager. His responsibilities included resolving mechanical and material deficiencies which affected the mission readiness of the AWACS aircraft. In 1982 he returned to flying, upgrading in the F-16 and serving as executive officer for the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing Deputy Commander for Operations, and as flight commander in the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, until his selection as an astronaut candidate.
He has logged 4,500 hours flying time, predominantly in the T-38, F-4 and F-16 aircraft.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Lee was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in May 1984. In June 1985, he completed a one-year training and evaluation program, qualifying him for assignment as a mission specialist on future Space Shuttle flight crews. His technical responsibilities within the Astronaut Office have included extravehicular activity (EVA), the inertial upper stage (IUS), Spacelab and Space Station systems. Lee has also served as a spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in the Mission Control Center, as Lead ''Cape Crusader'' at the Kennedy Space Center, Chief of Astronaut Appearances, Chief of the Astronaut Office Mission Development Branch, Chief of the EVA Robotics Branch, and Chief of the EVA Branch. He also worked Space Station assembly issues for the Astronaut Office.
A veteran of four space flights, Lee has traveled over 13 million miles going around the world 517 times and spending 33 days in orbit. He flew as a mission specialist on STS-30 (May 4-8, 1989) and STS-64 (September 9-20, 1994), and was the Payload Commander on STS-47 (September 12-20, 1992), and STS-82 (February 11-21, 1997). During STS-64, he logged EVA hours totaling 6 hours and 51 minutes. During STS-82 he logged 19 hours and 10 minutes in 3 EVAs. Lee retired from NASA and the Air Force effective July 1, 2001.
