Four Astronauts Named to STS-135 Flight

NASA announced the four astronauts who will make up the crew of STS-335, the rescue mission that would fly only if needed to bring home the members of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission, currently the final scheduled shuttle flight.

Chris Ferguson, a retired U.S. Navy captain and veteran of two previous shuttle missions, would command the flight. Astronaut and U.S. Marine Col. Doug Hurley would serve as pilot, and astronauts Sandy Magnus and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Rex Walheim would be the mission specialists, [NASA Press Release]. The astronauts will launch on need (LON) to the crew of STS-134. Congress will soon decide funding for an Atlantis STS-135 for a possible launch in June 2011 (if not used for a rescue mission).