Larry LaRose
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2017) |
Larry LaRose | |
|---|---|
| Born | Larry Ray LaRose February 13, 1953 Lander, Wyoming, United States |
| Occupation | NASA Flight Engineer |
| Parent(s) | Shirley LaRose Floyd LaRose |
Larry LaRose (born February 13, 1953) is an American NASA flight engineer.
Born in Worland, Wyoming, Larry LaRose enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, first as a mechanic and then attending flight school to become a flight engineer. In 1979 NASA recruited him to work for the space program as it transitioned from the Apollo program to the space shuttle, starting with the "zero g" program using airplanes to simulate zero gravity for astronaut training and science experiments.[1] In 1989, LaRose was selected to transfer to Biggs Army Airfield in El Paso, Texas, to assume the responsibility of the El Paso FOL [Forward Operating Location] manager.[2] He began helping train pilots in the Shuttle Training Aircraft program to return from space in space shuttle orbiters that were depleted of power and had to glide in under human control. He also worked for the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft Program, which transported shuttles on the back of modified Boeing 747 aircraft.[3]
LaRose retired from NASA in 2008 after 30 years of service and more than 120 shuttle missions. Following his retirement, he took a job with a private contractor that transported shuttles. LaRose has been the flight engineer for three space shuttle's final voyages; flying the Discovery shuttle to Washington, D.C. (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia) on April 17, 2012, the Enterprise to New York (Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan) on April 27, 2012, and the Endeavor to Edwards AFB and then Los Angeles (California Science Center) from September 19–21, 2012.[4] This does not include the space shuttle Atlantis which touched down from its final mission on July 21, 2011 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where it remained.[5][6]
LaRose has also worked in other programs with NASA, including the Fall 2011 Operation IceBridge campaign over Antarctica.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Wyoming native played key role in space shuttle program". Trib.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ "Larry R. LaRose Oral History". Jsc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ Heiney:KSC, Anna. "NASA - The World's Greatest Piggyback Ride". Nasa.gov. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ "Shuttle Endeavour's final trek". Timesunion.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ "STS-135: The Last Shuttle Mission". Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2015-05-26.
- ^ Loff, Sarah (23 March 2015). "Retired Space Shuttle Locations". Nasa.gov. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ "NASA - IceBridge Flights Survey Peninsula, Weddell Sea". Nasa.gov. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ "#NASA Flight Engineer Larry LaRose worked extensively with our #T38 in El Paso, TX. His name adorns the canopy.pic.twitter.com/5d4NUYDyZ9". Twitter. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ "NASA - NASA's 747 SCAs--Birds of a Feather Flock Together". Nasa.gov. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ "Now boarding: Inside NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft - collectSPACE". collectSPACE.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ AIRBOYD (23 September 2012). "Inside The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft With Flight Engineer Larry Larose". YouTube. Retrieved 1 October 2017.