What did Millie Hughes-Fulford discover?
Hughes-Fulford’s lab revealed that microgravity altered gene expression and inhibited the activation of T-cells, a type of white blood cell that helps fight off infections. In June 2013, NASA honored that work as a top discovery on the International Space Station.
Is Millie Hughes-Fulford still alive?
Deceased (1945–2021)
Millie Hughes-Fulford/Living or Deceased
What is Millie Hughes Milford known for?
Millie Hughes-Fulford, a native of Mineral Wells, was the first woman to fly as a NASA payload specialist, and made significant advancement as both an astronaut and scientist.
Was Millie Hughes-Fulford married?
Hughes-Fulford was married twice. Her first marriage was to policeman Rick Wiley, with whom she had a daughter, and ended in divorce in the late 1970s. Her second marriage was in 1983 to George Fulford, a United Airlines pilot whom she met in 1981.
What did Millie Hughes like to study?
At 5, Millie became infatuated with science fiction when she watched the early “Buck Rogers” television series. She admired the character Wilma Deering because she was a pilot — and because she wore pants at a time when Millie was always being told to wear a dress.
When was Millie Hughes born?
December 21, 1945
Millie Hughes-Fulford/Date of birth
Where was Millie Hughes Fulford born?
Mineral Wells, TX
Millie Hughes-Fulford/Place of birth
How was Millie Hughes Fulford important to Texas?
As the space agency’s first female payload specialist, she conducted experiments about the impact of weightlessness on astronauts’ immune systems and loss of bone mass.
What does a payload specialist do on space flights?
Payload specialists are career scientists or engineers selected by their employer or country for their expertise in conducting a specific experiment or commercial venture on a space shuttle mission because of need for a particular scientific / engineering / political expertise not available in regular astronaut corps.
What does a payload engineer do?
The payload engineer is responsible for understanding the interactions between payloads and the aircraft subsystems to participate in aircraft system design cycles and testing. This position is expected to be very hands-on with design cycles from concept through bench testing and flight testing.
What was the significance of Christa McAuliffe?
A high school teacher, Christa McAuliffe made history when she became the first American civilian selected to go into space in 1985. On January 28, 1986, McAuliffe boarded the Challenger space shuttle in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The shuttle exploded shortly after lift-off, killing everyone on board.
