NASA Astronaut Fernando “Frank” Caldeiro, KE4RFI, passed away on October 3 after a more than two year battle with a brain tumor. He was 51. Caldeiro was a member of the Astronaut Class of 1996 and most recently was assigned to the WB-57 High Altitude Research Program within the Aircraft Operations Division at Ellington Field in Houston. In that role, he directed the integration and conducted the operation of high-altitude atmospheric research experiments carried on board the NASA WB-57 aircraft. “Frank was a valued member of the astronaut corps and the Flight Crew Operations team,” said NASA’s Director of Flight Crew Operations Brent Jett. “He provided a wealth of experience and made significant contributions to the success of both the WB-57 project and the space shuttle program. He will be missed by all those who knew him at NASA. Our hearts go out to his family.” Caldeiro joined NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in 1991 as a cryogenics and propulsion systems expert for the safety and mission assurance office before being selected as an astronaut. There he also served as the executive staff assistant to the director of Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance. Caldeiro was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but he considered New York City and Merritt Island, Florida, to be his hometowns. He is survived by his wife, the former Donna Marie Emero of Huntington Beach, California, and two daughters.
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