Born: 1956 (South Bend, Indiana)
Died: 2012 (Arizona)
Biography:
Janice Elaine Voss was an American engineer and a NASA astronaut. Born on October 8, 1956, in South Bend, Indiana, Voss grew up in Rockford, Illinois where she received her early education from Maud E. Johnson Elementary School and Guilford Center School. She graduated from Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham, Massachusetts in 1972, and went on to pursue her passion for engineering.
Voss attended Purdue University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in engineering science in 1975. During her time at Purdue, she was an active member of Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed service fraternity. Her dedication to her studies and commitment to excellence paved the way for her future success.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Voss continued her education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She received her Master of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1977, writing her thesis on Kalman filtering techniques. Throughout this period, Voss also took correspondence courses at the University of Oklahoma from 1973 to 1975, expanding her knowledge and skills in various areas.
In 1977, Voss joined the NASA Johnson Space Center as a co-op student. She worked in the Engineering and Development Directorate, specifically on computer simulation projects. Her contributions and dedication caught the attention of NASA, and she was invited to return to Johnson Space Center in 1977 as a crew trainer. Over the course of one year, Voss played a vital role in training future astronauts.
Her involvement with NASA continued to grow, and in 1983, Voss became a Draper Fellow at MIT’s Draper Laboratory. During her time as a Draper Fellow, she worked on developing software for the space shuttle program, showcasing her expertise and passion for space exploration and engineering.
Voss’s diligence and commitment led her to pursue further education, and she obtained her Doctor of Philosophy degree in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT in 1987. For her doctoral work, Voss focused on developing algorithms to identify frequencies, damping, and mode shapes for the International Space Station. Her contributions to space research and understanding played a significant role in advancing the field of astronautics.
Throughout her remarkable career, Voss flew in space five times, jointly holding the record for American women. She embarked on various space missions, contributing to our understanding of the universe and furthering scientific research. Voss’s dedication to her work and her accomplishments as an astronaut have left an indelible mark on the field of space exploration.
Tragically, Janice E. Voss passed away on February 6, 2012, in Arizona, after battling breast cancer. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations of engineers and astronauts, and her contributions to space exploration remain an integral part of America’s history.