Anderson, An Inspiration to All Especially In February

	Astronaut Michael P. Anderson payload commander, is pictured on the aft flight deck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Columbia.

In observance of Black history month Goddard recognizes payload commander Michael Anderson who was aboard STS-107.

Astronaut Michael Anderson recently told talk show host Travis Smiley during an interview from outer space that he saw the future as being really bright for African Americans in space. Anderson was the payload commander for Space Shuttle Columbia, STS-107. He was one of seven African Americans on NASA's active astronaut list. The interview was recorded for National Public Radio (NPR) on day 14 of the 16-day science mission.

As the payload commander for STS-107 it was Anderson's responsibility to manage Columbia's payload of more than 80 experiments. He was responsible to coordinate with his crewmembers to ensure that the experiments were completed properly. The crew worked in round-the-clock shifts so that as much science as possible could be accomplished during the mission.

When speaking about the accomplishments on STS-107 Anderson said, "We are pleased with what we are seeing. "We are exceeding all of our expectations and we are getting some really good science," said Anderson. He also spoke of research being conducted aboard Columbia that could directly affect the African American community. "As you know prostrate cancer has a high rate of occurrence among African American males. Hopefully from some of the research we are doing here, we can really help out in this area," said Anderson.

After earning a degree in physics in 1981 from the University of Washington, Anderson became a pilot with the Air Force and was chosen by NASA in 1994. His first mission as an astronaut was 1998 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. The eight-day trip featured the eighth Shuttle-Mir docking mission.

Anderson was following in the footsteps of African American space pioneers Col. Guion Bluford, Jr. the first African American to fly into outer space in August 1983 and Dr. Mae Jemison, first African American female to leave earth's atmosphere, September 1992.

Anderson becomes the second African American to lose his life during space flight. Dr. Ronald McNair was aboard Challenger on January 28, 1986.

According to his mother Anderson always had a desire to go into space and was doing what he loved. Anderson has been quoted as saying that things will happen in outer space that we did not plan for. He believed that the risk must be accepted and that the space program must continue.

Click here to view a listing of the Black history Month Events