Born: 1953 (Fayetteville, North Carolina)
Biography:
Ellen Louise Shulman Baker, M.D., M.P.H., was born on April 27, 1953, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Mel Shulman, a physician, and Claire Shulman, a politician. However, she was primarily raised in New York City. Baker’s upbringing in a family of accomplished professionals set the stage for her own remarkable career.
Baker’s educational journey began at Bayside High School in Queens, where she graduated in 1970. From there, she went on to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in geology at the University at Buffalo, which she completed in 1974. Seeking to further her medical expertise, Baker enrolled at Cornell University, where she earned her doctorate in medicine in 1978. However, her pursuit of knowledge did not end there. In 1994, Baker obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Texas School of Public Health.
After completing her medical studies, Baker trained in internal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. In 1981, she received certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine after three years of residency training. It was in the same year that Baker joined NASA as a medical officer at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Baker quickly established herself as a valuable asset to the NASA team. In 1984, she was selected as an astronaut candidate and officially became an astronaut in June 1985. Throughout her career, Baker held various roles at NASA, supporting the Space Shuttle program and contributing to the development of the Space Station. Her expertise in medicine and her dedication to education led her to serve as the Chief of the Astronaut Office Education/Medical Branch.
Baker’s remarkable journey through space began with her first mission, STS-34, in 1989. On board the Atlantis space shuttle, she and her crew deployed the Galileo probe, conducted medical experiments, and carried out scientific research. The mission was a resounding success, with objectives accomplished in 79 orbits of the Earth, covering 1.8 million miles in 119 hours and 41 minutes.
In 1992, Baker embarked on her second space mission, STS-50, aboard the Columbia. This mission marked the first flight of the United States Microgravity Laboratory and the first Extended Duration Orbiter flight. Over a span of two weeks, Baker and her crew performed a series of scientific experiments, further advancing our understanding of microgravity.
Baker’s final mission, STS-71, took place in 1995. This historic mission was the first joint U.S.-Russian space shuttle mission, carrying Baker and her crew to the Russian space station Mir. The mission not only showcased collaboration between nations but also paved the way for future international space missions.
After logging over 686 hours in space, Baker retired from NASA in 2011 after more than 30 years of service to the organization. Throughout her career, she left an indelible mark on the field of space exploration and medicine. Baker’s accomplishments serve as a testament to her determination, scientific aptitude, and passion for pushing the boundaries of human knowledge.
Awards:
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