The Astronauts Memorial Foundation

The Astronauts Memorial Foundation

 

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LAUREL BLAIR SALTON CLARK

Born on March 10, 1961 in Iowa but considered Racine, Wisconsin, to be her hometown. Clark received a bachelor of science degree in zoology and a doctorate in medicine from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Clark and her husband, Jonathan, have one child, Iain.

Clark was a commander (captain-select) in the U.S. Navy and a naval flight surgeon having been awarded Navy Commendation Medals (3), the National Defense Medal, and Overseas Service Ribbon.

Her military qualifications included Radiation Health Officer, Undersea Medical Officer, Diving Medical Officer, Submarine Medical Officer and Naval Flight Surgeon.

Clark was the mission specialist on STS-107 Columbia. This was her first spaceflight. The mission ended abruptly when Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew perished during entry, 16 minutes before scheduled landing.

Laurel Blair Salton Clark made the ultimate sacrifice and lost her life in service to the nation and the space program on February 1, 2003 at 41 years of age.