Leland D. Melvin

2009 Honoree

Astronaut Leland D. Melvin spent much of his childhood exploring everything in his path. Dismantling telephones and bicycles and putting them back together were among his early pursuits.

The Lynchburg, Va., native’s curiosity expanded when he received a chemistry set from his mother. It wasn’t until Melvin became an adult that parts of his past propelled him into space.

"I didn’t know what the final result would be," said Melvin about his childhood adventures that, in February 2008, carried him on a 13-day, 5.3 million-mile trip on the space shuttle Atlantis to deliver a European laboratory to the international space station. Melvin’s next flight is scheduled for October 2009.

"The colors I saw were so beautiful," he says.

"The vivid blues of the oceans and the snow-capped mountains were breathtaking to watch as we orbited the Earth every 90 minutes," he says. "I wish everyone could have the opportunity to see our planet this way."

Melvin’s space career launched after an injury prevented him from playing in the National Football League. He had been selected by the Detroit Lions in the 11th round of the 1986 college draft.

In 1989, he began working at the NASA Langley Research Center, where he studied advanced instrumentation for nondestructive evaluation and conducted research using optical fiber sensors.

Melvin, who received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Richmond in 1986, returned to the classroom after his football career ended. He earned a master’s degree in materials science engineering from the University of Virginia in 1991.

Melvin later led NASA’s Vehicle Health Monitoring team and helped design and monitor aerospace and civil health monitoring systems.

In 1998, he was selected by NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for astronaut training that included scientific and technical briefings, lessons in shuttle and international space station systems, physiological training, flight training, and water and wilderness survival techniques.

Melvin encourages young people to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering.

"Many students don’t know there are space stations floating around 24-7," he says.

"We must let them know what it takes … a passion for exploration, dedication and belief in oneself to make any dream come true."

Melvin’s honors include the Invention Disclosure Award for Lead Insensitive Fiber Optic Phase Locked Loop Sensor, eight NASA Outstanding Performance Awards, and two NASA Superior Accomplishment Awards. A member of the University of Richmond’s Athletic Hall of Fame, he is the leader-in-residence for the 2008-09 academic year at UR’s Jepson School of Leadership Studies.