Alan G. Poindexter

The crew of STS-131 pose in front of the Shuttle orbiter after the mission. Commander Poindexter first from the right side. STS-122 begins its mission to deliver the Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station. Alan Goodwin Poindexter (November 5, 1961 – July 1, 2012) was an American naval officer and a NASA astronaut. Poindexter was selected in the 1998 NASA Group (G17) and went into orbit aboard Space Shuttle missions STS-122 and STS-131.

Personal life Poindexter was born to John Poindexter and Linda Poindexter in Pasadena, California, and grew up in Rockville, Maryland, which he considered to be his hometown. He was married to Lisa A. Pfeiffer of Gulf Breeze, Florida. They had two children. His recreational interests included motorcycling, running, weight lifting, water skiing, boating, hunting and fishing.

Education Poindexter attended high school at Coronado High School in Coronado, California, graduating in 1979. He received an associate degree in engineering from Pensacola Junior College in Pensacola, Florida, in 1983, In the Navy, he had the position of dean of students at the Naval Postgraduate School.

Organizations Society of Experimental Test Pilots Association of Space Explorers

Awards and honors

Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division Test Pilot of the Year 1996 Top Ten Carrier Aviator, Carrier Air Wing Nine NASA Aviation Safety Award Orbital ATK's July 2016 CRS1-5 mission Cygnus CRS OA-5's Cygnus space capsule was named S.S. Alan Poindexter in his honor.