Space Shuttle Close Out Crew leader’s suit placed on display at Smithsonian

Those who remember watching Space Shuttle launches on NASA TV may remember the iconic white suits of the Shuttle’s Close Out Crew. Now you can get up close with a suit at the National Air and Space Museum’s building in Virginia.

Travis Thompson worked every Space Shuttle mission from STS-1 through STS-135 for the company in charge of its upkeep, United Space Alliance. By the time the shuttle program came to an end he served as the Close Out Crew team leader, always marked with a “1” on his uniform.

Now that jumpsuit is on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, steps away from Space Shuttle Discovery. The display includes Thompson’s personal suit, hat, and patch for the final flight of Space Shuttle Discovery.

The ceremony hosted at the center in Virginia was hosted by NASA’s Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. She flew to space three times as a NASA astronaut, twice on Discovery, and all three times she was buckled in with the help of Thompson.

My friend Travis Thompson was lead of launch day support for my @NASA mission as a spaceflight commander and for many others.

I was honored to celebrate his legacy as his Closeout Crew suit was added to the Discovery collection at @airandspace! pic.twitter.com/mVlGQDkalr

— Pamela Melroy (@Astro_Pam) July 9, 2021

Read More

• This Day in Space (July 8th, 2011): The launch of STS-135, the final Space Shuttle launch
• Go see an X-Wing at the National Air & Space Museum starting tomorrow
• Virgin Galactic announces sweepstakes for a trip to space

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