GROTON, Conn. - "It's an indescribable experience," said NASA's first submarine officer astronaut, Navy Captain Stephen G. Bowen, as he relayed the thrill of rocketing into orbit to an assembly of students at the Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School, Wednesday, February 25. "And when the shaking, noise, and the g's subside and you enter the weightlessness of space, you just want to say, 'Let's do that again!'"
Bowen returned to Groton to share his experiences from his first space flight during the STS-126 Endeavour mission, November 14-30, 2008. Bowen made presentations at the elementary school, Naval Submarine Base New London, and the Submarine Force Library and Museum. He also visited with Sailors on the Virginia Class submarine, USS Texas (SSN 775).
A Cohasset, Massachusetts native and a United States Naval Academy graduate in the Class of 1986, Bowen was Executive Officer for Pre-Commissioning Unit Virginia (SSN 774), the first Virginia Class submarine, when he was selected by NASA as a mission specialist in July 2000.
Bowen's early fascination with space followed his elementary school's competition to design a postage stamp for the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz space mission, the first joint flight of the U.S. and Soviet space programs.
Engaging the students with a multi-media presentation, Bowen encouraged them to pursue their dreams and apply themselves not only to the subjects that they like at school, but also to those that they like less.
"You never know when outside the box thinking and simple solutions are going to make all the difference," Bowen said, as he described his space shuttle team's solution and successful efforts to repair the rotary joints of the International Space Station's (ISS) solar arrays. "It came down to greasing the rotors with a grease gun."
Bowen also highlighted the other key objectives of Endeavor's almost 16-day mission, including expanding the living quarters of the ISS to house 6 member crews by delivering a new bathroom, kitchenette, two bedrooms, an exercise machine, and a water recycling system.
As Bowen explained that maintaining a sufficient water supply at the space station will become even more important once the space shuttles end their service in 2010, his praise for the water recycling system and the scope of its impact became clear to the students in a photograph. The photo depicted two weightless shuttle astronauts each holding a sign, one reading: "yesterday's coffee," and the other: "today's coffee." A number of students elicited grimaces and "eewwhhs," as Bowen noted how the recycling system will collect and purify urine and humidity from the air for re-consumption by the astronauts.
While the young students were captivated by Bowen's discussions of what they could most relate to, such as how astronauts use the bathroom in space and what are the best freeze dried, pre-packaged foods, presentation attendees at the day's other events and Sailors aboard Texas were more interested in learning how Bowen's Submarine Force experience and training translated to NASA and the space program.
"I have to admit," said Bowen, "from space the view is much better, but the food is certainly much worse than that on a submarine."
Bowen was able to enjoy the lunch time fare aboard USS Texas before he toured the Virginia Class submarine with the ship's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. James L. Gray Jr.
Virginia was still in sections when he left the submarine under construction to join NASA.
"I could spend all day here," Bowen said aboard Texas. "This is really amazing."
Of course, while some similarities between a submarine and the space shuttle are self-evident, others are only known to submariners, noted Bowen.
"There are a lot of parallels beyond having a metal cylinder as a living environment," said Bowen. "In getting your Dolphins [earning your submarine qualifications], you realize your importance to the ship and the crew. Everyone depends on each other to live. Being a crew member on a submarine was outstanding preparation."
During his space flight, Bowen recognized a special submarine and crew. The year 2008 marked the 50th anniversary of NASA and the 50th anniversary of USS Nautilus' (SSN 571) world-shattering achievement: the first crossing of the North Pole by a ship.
Bowen presented the Submarine Force Museum with a flag from Nautilus that he borrowed to fly in the shuttle and two submariner dolphin pins.
"Astronauts that have gone before me have commented on the spiritual feeling as you look down on the Earth and see continents with no countries, no borders," said Bowen. "When I looked at Earth, my thoughts turned to two things. First, I noted the amazing amount of water that covers the globe. And second, I thought of the thousands of technicians, builders, and support crew members that had a hand in putting the shuttle into space. Like a submarine and the yard workers at Electric Boat and Newport News shipbuilding, there is a lot that goes into such technological marvels. It's just amazing."
That humble demeanor was a hallmark to all who encountered Bowen throughout his day in Groton.
The first submarine officer selected by NASA, Bowen respectfully pointed out that the first submariner in space was former astronaut Michael J. McCulley, who served as an enlisted Sailor in 3 submarines. McCulley would go on to receive a commission as a Navy pilot, join NASA, and pilot the STS-34 mission in 1989.
When SUBASE's community service partner school Principal Dominick Bassi thanked Bowen, he said: "It's a true honor and privilege to have this opportunity to meet a real American hero."
Bowen shook his head at Bassi's compliment and would use his SUBASE presentation to recognize some other heroes.
Bowen called recently returned Individual Augmentees (IAs) Master-at-Arms Second Class Sheila McLean and Master-at-Arms Second Class George Harrison, both from the SUBASE Security Department, onto the base's Dealey Center Stage.
McLean and her Military Working Dog Bak returned in February from deployment to Iraq and Harrison returned in January from deployment to Afghanistan. Bowen presented each with American flags that had travelled into space aboard Endeavor and certificates of appreciation for their service.
"You've been on the front lines protecting the freedoms of all Americans," commended Bowen. "I want to thank you for your service and what you do."