STS-125: Final Shuttle Mission to Hubble Space Telescope
Image above: From the left are astronauts Michael J. Massimino, Michael T. Good, both mission specialists; Gregory C. Johnson, pilot; Scott D. Altman, commander; K. Megan McArthur, John M. Grunsfeldand Andrew J. Feustel, all mission specialists. Image credit: NASA
NOLS Astronauts in Training
I’ve been following this latest NASA space mission which is conducting final repairs to the Hubble Space Telescope. The two astronaut team specialists, John Grunsfeld and Michael Good, are both NOLS Graduates. And I’ve had the unique pleasure to hike, ski, camp and teach leadership to these “National Heroes.”
Teaching Map-Reading Skills to Brain Surgeons, Engineers, and Rocket Scientists
Furthermore, my wife, Kerry, and I hosted Mike Good and his son, Jason, at our house a few years ago. Mike decided that his NOLS course was such an awe inspiring experience that he brought his son out to visit Lander, Wyoming, NOLS, and the Wind River Mountains… amazing considering what “awe inspiring” must mean to this orbiting astronaut!
On the Summit of Two Ocean Peak: Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, WY
Anyway, Mike and Jason stayed at our home for a few nights before and after their father and son backpacking trip in the Wind River Mountains. While Mike stayed with us, we re-lived some of the more memorable experiences from our NOLS winter camping expedition… like the time the astronaut crew unanimously decided to ski fresh powder from the summit of Two Ocean Peak as well as to huck themselves off a backcountry kicker… despite strict orders from NASA Houston Headquarters “not to jepordize our national interests” by partaking in “risky” downhill skiing activities.
Astronaut Mike Good Prepares for "Lift-Off!"
And then there was the time when the astronaut crew decided to use up their extra camp stove fuel, i.e. highly flammable white gas, by dowsing a dead tree and igniting it in a Lord-Of-the-Flies-like winter backcountry ceremony.
Nothing Like a Campfire to Bring a Team Together
My most significant memory of Mike Good, however, was Mike’s unique quiet-but-genuine leadership style. Here was this national hero and his son camping out in our spare bedroom and eating out of our refrigerator. But you would have thought Mike was just another modest all-American father taking his son out on a summer adventure. Mike loves maps. And we spent hours at the dining room table pouring over the route Mike and Jason planned to hike.
Learning and Practicing NOLS Leadership and Teamwork in Preparation for Space Flight
And this why I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend two weeks with these amazing individuals. Astronauts, like Mike Good, are incredibly intelligent, strong, and brave members of our society who carry the hopes and aspirations of our great nation on their shoulders. But each of these astronauts are also ordinary people who burn their brownies on the camp stove, get lost while navigating through the mountains, and struggle with NOLS leadership skills (like Tolerance for Adversity and Uncertainty when camping in -20F weather). And perhaps most of all, astronauts like to have fun and make the most of life… living an explorer’s ultimate dream.
At Home in a Cozy Winter Snow Shelter
Click Here to View the NOLS/ NASA Winter Expedition Power Point
Click Here to Learn More About NOLS Professional Training
Click Here to Follow Space Shuttle Mission: STS 125
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