Born: 1959 (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Biography:
Tamara Elizabeth Tammy Jernigan (born May 7, 1959) is an American astrophysicist and former NASA astronaut. During her career, she completed five Space Shuttle program missions (three on Columbia and one each on Endeavour and Discovery), logging over 1512 hours in space. Jernigan left NASA in 2001 and currently serves as Deputy Principal Associate Director in the Weapons and Complex Integration (WCI) organization at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Early Life and Education:
Tamara Elizabeth Jernigan was born on May 7, 1959, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Mary and Terry Jernigan. She attended Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe Springs, California, graduating in 1977. Jernigan then pursued higher education at Stanford University, where she excelled both academically and athletically as a member of the varsity volleyball team. In 1981, she earned a B.S. degree in physics, followed by an M.S. in engineering science in 1983. Recognizing her passion for astronomy, Jernigan went on to obtain an M.S. degree in astronomy from the University of California, Berkeley in 1985. Her thirst for knowledge led her to pursue a Ph.D. in space physics and astronomy from Rice University, which she was awarded in 1988. Her doctoral research focused on the modeling of high-velocity outflows in regions of star formation, gamma-ray bursters, and the study of radiation produced by interstellar shock waves.
NASA Career:
Jernigan’s journey with NASA began in June 1981 when she joined the Ames Research Center while pursuing her degrees at Stanford and Berkeley. Working as a research scientist in the Theoretical Studies Branch, Jernigan contributed to the advancements in space science. In June 1985, her dedication and expertise led to her selection as one of the 13 astronaut candidates. This marked the beginning of her illustrious career as an astronaut.
In July 1986, Jernigan joined the NASA Astronaut Corps and embarked on her first spaceflight on June 5, 1991. Over the course of her career, she flew on five Space Shuttle program missions, including three on the Columbia, as well as Endeavour and Discovery. Jernigan accumulated an impressive total of over 1512 hours in space and showcased her skills and knowledge during various missions.
Jernigan’s contribution to NASA extended beyond her missions. She served as the Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office, where she played a vital role in managing both military and civilian astronauts, as well as support personnel. As the Deputy for the Space Station program, Jernigan played a pivotal part in developing and advocating Astronaut Office positions on the design and operation of the International Space Station. Furthermore, she represented NASA management on the U.S. negotiating team in Moscow, contributing to the resolution of crew training, crew rotation, and operational issues.
After an illustrious career with NASA, Jernigan retired in 2001. However, her passion for exploring the unknown did not wane. She currently holds the position of Deputy Principal Associate Director in the Weapons and Complex Integration (WCI) organization at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Her expertise and dedication continue to shape the realm of astrophysics and space exploration.
Awards:
– NASA Distinguished Service Medal
– NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal