17 Facts About Laurel Clark

Laurel Blair Clark was an American NASA astronaut, medical doctor, United States Navy captain, and Space Shuttle mission specialist.

Laurel Clark died along with her six fellow crew members in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

Laurel Clark was born in Ames, Iowa, but considered Racine, Wisconsin, her hometown.

Laurel Clark is survived by her husband fellow former US Navy captain and NASA flight surgeon Dr Jonathan Laurel Clark, and son Iain who was born in 1996.

Laurel Clark was a member of the Aerospace Medical Association and the Society of US Naval Flight Surgeons.

Laurel Clark was a member of the Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church in Racine, Wisconsin.

Laurel Clark was designated a Radiation Health Officer and Undersea Medical Officer.

Laurel Clark was then assigned as the Submarine Squadron 14 Medical Department Head in Holy Loch, Scotland.

Laurel Clark underwent six months of aeromedical training at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute at NAS Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida, and was designated as a Naval Flight Surgeon.

Laurel Clark was stationed at MCAS Yuma, Arizona, and assigned as Flight Surgeon Marine Attack Squadron 211, a Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier squadron.

Laurel Clark made several deployments, including one overseas to the Western Pacific, practiced medicine in austere environments, and flew on multiple aircraft.

Laurel Clark's squadron won the Marine Attack Squadron of the Year award for its successful deployment.

Laurel Clark was then assigned as the Group Flight Surgeon for Marine Aircraft Group 13.

Laurel Clark was Board Certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and held a Wisconsin Medical License, and her military qualifications included Radiation Health Officer, Undersea Medical Officer, Diving Medical Officer, Submarine Medical Officer, and Naval Flight Surgeon.

Laurel Clark was a Basic Life Support Instructor, Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider, Advanced Trauma Life Support Provider, and Hyperbaric Chamber Advisor.

Laurel Clark flew aboard STS-107, logging 15 days, 22 hours and 21 minutes in space.

Laurel Clark recorded inside the cockpit during Columbias descent into the Earth's atmosphere on a small digital camera.