Tingle and his two crew members are scheduled to launch around 2:20 a.m. EST Sunday (Dec. 17) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan as part of Expedition 54/55.

Tingle graduated from Purdue with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1988, specializing in fluid mechanics and propulsion. He was selected in July 2009 as one of 14 members of NASA’s 20th astronaut class.

Purdue University’s connection to space exploration

John Norberg, public speaker, author and columnist. As a flight historian, he has written on space and aviation at the university, including “Spacewalker” with alumnus Jerry Ross, NASA’s most-launched astronaut, and “Wings of their Dreams,” a book about Purdue's role in aviation history.

Contact: John Norberg, 765-426-5474, norbergj@purdue.edu

Purdue University’s place in space flight history

Tracy Grimm, the Barron Hilton Archivist for Flight and Space Exploration, offers a historical perspective on space flight and Purdue. She curates all of the personal papers and artifacts given to Purdue Archives and Special Collections from previous aviators and astronauts.

Contact: Tracy Grimm, 765-496-2941, grimm3@purdue.edu

NASA operations and the mission’s Soyuz rocket

Daniel Dumbacher, a professor in engineering practice of aeronautics and astronautics, previously worked at NASA as deputy associate administrator in the Exploration Systems Development Division for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. He was program director for exploration systems development encompassing the Space Launch System, Orion and Ground Systems Development and Operations development and integration efforts.

Contact: Daniel Dumbacher, 301-820-2460, dan-dumbacher@purdue.edu

Scott Tingle’s continued connections to his alma mater, Purdue

Stephen Heister, the Raisbeck Engineering Distinguished Professor for Engineering and Technology Integration, studies rocket propulsion. He has been good friends with astronaut Scott Tingle for 30 years.

Contact: Stephen Heister, 765-494-5126, heister@purdue.edu

Source: Purdue Newsroom