“Since the dawn of time humans have looked up at the stars and wondered what was out there. In the 20^th century, space travel became a reality and sparked the American imagination. I am excited to see a Coloradan participating in a mission that enables further space exploration.

Like another great Coloradan, Jack Swigert, Mr. Swanson is an inspiration to the people of the great state of Colorado. We look forward to his pushing forward the frontiers of science and the human imagination.”

Swanson, the Mission Specialist, graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1983, joined NASA in 1987 and was selected as an Astronaut Candidate in 1998. Currently, the astronaut corps has four Coloradans, Jeffrey Ashby, Scott Parazynski, and Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, a native of the Congressman’s hometown of Colorado Springs. Led by Commander Frederick Sturckow, STS-117 will aid in the ongoing construction of the International Space Station.

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