Keith’s note: Tweet from Homer Hickam @realhomerhickam: “Sad news: Family statement on the death of Sam Durrance: Sam died quietly today (May 5, 2023) surrounded by family after a long struggle with dementia and Parkinson’s disease. He had spent his final days in hospice care at a facility in Viera, Florida. Sam was a veteran of two Space Shuttle missions, flying in 1990 and 1995 as a payload specialist and operating a collection of four telescopes as part of the Astro-1 and Astro-2 Spacelabs. A true scientist to the end and beyond, Sam asked that his body be donated to support the ongoing medical research associated with astronauts who have flown in space. At the conclusion of that research, he will be cremated, and the remains returned to the family. A memorial service will be held in Melbourne, Florida, later this year. We are comforted to know Sam is in heaven with his savior, Jesus Christ, and very much appreciate everyone’s love and prayers during this difficult time.” Ad Astra Sam.
Biologist, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA Space Biologist and Payload integrator, Editor of NASAWatch.com and Astrobiology.com, Lapsed climber, Explorer, Synaesthete, Former Challenger Center board member... More by Keith Cowing