Clark, Laurel (1961–2003)

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Clark, Laurel (1961–2003)

American astronaut and mission specialist. Born Laurel Blair Salton, Mar 10, 1961, in Iowa, but raised in Racine, Wisconsin; died Feb 1, 2003, when Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over the southern US; University of Wisconsin–Madison, BS in zoology (1983), doctorate in medicine (1987); postgraduate training in pediatrics, Naval Hospital, Bethesda, MD; m. Jonathan Clark (NASA flight surgeon), 1991; children: son Iain Clark.

Captain in the US Navy, served as a submarine medical officer, diving medical officer, and flight surgeon, before being chosen for the US space program (April 1996); member of the flight crew of the STS-107 Columbia (Jan 16-Feb 1, 2003) who successfully conducted 80 experiments before the mission ended abruptly on reentry, 16 minutes prior to scheduled landing.

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Clark, Laurel (1961–2003)

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