NASA’s Pamela Melroy Honors Member of Former Shuttle Closeout Crew Lead Travis Thompson

By  //  July 11, 2021

lead on Space Shuttle close-out crew for 27 year

Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy honored Travis Thompson, former Closeout Crew Lead who served for nearly 100 missions as they viewed Thompson’s uniform at its exhibit on July 9, 2021, in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. (NASA image)

(NASA) – Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy honored Travis Thompson, former Closeout Crew Lead who served for nearly 100 missions as they viewed Thompson’s uniform at its exhibit on July 9, 2021, in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Commander Melroy gifted him a plaque for the occasion and surprised him by showing him she had kept the gift he gave to her many years ago.

It was an emotional moment that celebrated not just the heroes who venture out into space, but also those who make sure they come home safely.

Thompson was a launchpad lead on the Space Shuttle close-out crew for 27 years that strapped in astronauts and sealed the hatch. He led that crew for a decade, a big numeral “1” on the back of his white jumpsuit.

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