“33… 32… 31…” Adding to his impressive resume, is an even more impressive pedigree. Dr. Warner Von Braun was Carl’s maternal great-grandfather and, Nazi accusations aside, helped tremendously with mission publicity.
“30… 29… 28…” Dr. Sally Chung, the mission’s Chemist / Geologist, is rather attractive, mid-thirties, Asian American who is also well versed in Gemology, having studied for three years in Amsterdam. Sally has two shuttle missions on her resume: the first was a resupply mission to the ISS; the second, a six-month stay conducting crystal growth experiments in Zero Gee.
“27… 26… 25…” Like Tom, she is also married to her high school sweetheart, Robert Hackard, although she has kept her maiden name. Which is a good thing since their marriage has been on shaky ground for quite some time. The mission psychologists might have pulled Sally from this trip had they been able to see over the top of her well-constructed wall of denial.
“24… 23… 22…” Number five, Dr. Jackie Miller, is a Chemist / Physician. She and Valerie will easily be able to switch chairs and work equally well as Dentist, with both having dental cross training. Jackie had applied to the space program less than two years ago at the recommendation of one of her father’s friends. He wished to remain anonymous, even to Jackie, so as not to appear to be playing favorites as he was working as one of the mission planners. Like Carl, this is her first trip into space.
“21… 20… 19…” Jackie was the replacement for Commander Ty Cody (having the same Chemist / Medical training), who had to be pulled from the mission. Strikingly beautiful, Jackie is a twenty-nine year old, light-skinned, African American / Chinese. Taller than average Asians, but quite trim, Jackie looks ‘just how a fashion model should.’ Her husband of two short years, Mike Miller, is always quick to point this out.