UA Alum and future astronaut lectured here in 1979

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_{Star file photo}

_{Francis R. “Dick” Scobee}

UA alum fancies flight into space

By Cheryl Levenbrown

Unlike many people, University of Arizona alumnus Francis “Dick” Scobee is on his way to making a lifetime dream become reality.

A major in the U.S. Air Force, Scobee, 39, is in training as an astronaut candidate to pilot future space shuttle flights.

Scobee began a two-year training program in July 1978 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. And if he qualifies, he could be piloting a space shuttle asa early as 1981.

“I always wanted to fly airplanes, so all I’ve done is extend it a little,” Scobee said. “Most people don’t get to realize their lifetime goals. It’s kind of a pie-in-the-sky kind of thing. Life play funny tricks on you.”

Scobee said he hates to sound enthusiastic, but he loves his job.

“It’s not all fun and games. Sometimes it entails long hours, a lot of time away from home and all the problems that go along with that, but I enjoy it so much I wouldn’t trade all it for anything,” Scobee said.

He visited his alma mater to speak before the Tucson chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics last night. The lecture highlighted the UA aerospace and mechanical engineering department’s “Apollo Week,” commemorating the July 1969 moon landing.

The space shuttle, expected to begin its first orbital trip Nov. 9, will be used for a variety of space assignments, including placing satellites in orbit. It will be the first manned spaceship to return to Earth and be capable of repeat trips.

There are 35 candidates in the training program, and also 15 astronauts who are eligible for selection to space shuttle flight crews, probably after 1981. But Scobee said, it was a matter of time before he is selected.

“As long as we stay healthy, it looks like we’ll all get to fly. There are enough shuttle flights for everyone,” Scobee said. “But I’ll be on pins and needles till I get selected for a crew,” he added. “because that’s the name of the game – I want to fly that vehicle.

Scobee grew up in Washington state, and enlisted in the Air Force in 1957. After spending five years as an airplane mechanic at Kelly Air Force Base in Texas, he was selected for a program to train airman to become officers.

He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, and earned his pilot’s wings in 1966.

Married and the father of two teen-agers, Scobee downplays the publicity associated with his job, saying, “I’m just an airplane driver.”

The prospect of space flight does worry his parents, however. “They’re enthusiastic, but it scares them a little,” Scobee said. “I’m still their little kid, I guess.”

Note: Richard “ Dick” Scobee logged 168 hours in space. Commander Scobee died on Jan. 28, 1986, when space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after launch.