More NOLS Adventures in Space!

As NASA mission STS-115 launched on Saturday more NOLS graduates returned to space. NOLS congratulates the crewmembers of shuttle Atlantis and would especially like to congratulate NOLS alumni Chris Ferguson (pilot/ Captain USN) and mission specialist Joe Tanner on their successful return to space. Joe and Chris and the rest of the shuttle crew are contributing to the ongoing effort to complete the International Space Station by spending 11-days in space to add 17.5-ton solar arrays doubling the station’s energy capacity.
In August of 2004, Joe and Chris took a ten-day NASA Sea Kayak Leadership Course in Prince William Sound. Under the mentorship of senior NOLS instructors the NASA course traveled to remote areas of the Northwest such as Pt. Nowell and Chenega Island while practicing integral skills in leadership and teamwork. On their course Joe and Chris became especially fond of backcountry baking and to our knowledge are some of the first fighter pilots to master fine dining in the wilderness. Veteran NOLS instructor Tod Schimelpfenig described Chris and Joe as “ Strong leaders and role models who had a huge positive influence on their course mates and I’m sure they’ll have that same influence on their crew.” NOLS wishes Joe and Chris and the rest of the Atlantis crew best of luck and we look forward to their return to Earth on September 20th.

(Left: Joe Tanner, Chris Ferguson, instructor Tod Schimelpfenig)
(Center: Joe Tanner baking)
(Right: STS-115 crew before launch)