Bernard Anthony Harris | |
---|---|
NASA astronaut | |
Nationality | American |
Status | Retired |
Born |
Temple, Texas |
June 26, 1956
Other occupation
|
Medical Doctor |
Time in space
|
18 days 06 hours 08 minutes |
Selection | 1990 NASA Group |
Total EVAs
|
1 |
Total EVA time
|
4 hours 39 minutes |
Missions | STS-55, STS-63 |
Mission insignia
|
Bernard Anthony Harris Jr. (born June 26, 1956 in Temple, Texas) is a former NASA astronaut. On February 9, 1995, Harris became the first African American to perform an extra-vehicular activity (spacewalk), during the second of his two Space Shuttle flights.
Harris graduated from Sam Houston High School in San Antonio, Texas, in 1974, where he was actively involved in science fairs, book clubs and other school activities. He received a B.S. degree in biology from University of Houston in 1978. He earned his MD degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in 1982. Harris completed a residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in 1985. Harris is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Harris completed a National Research Council Fellowship at NASA's Ames Research Center in 1987. While at Ames, he conducted research in musculature physiology and disuse.
He also trained as a flight surgeon at the Aerospace School of Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio in 1988. Dr. Harris received a master's degree in biomedical science from The University of Texas Medical Branch in 1996. Harris is also a licensed private pilot and certified scuba diver.