Oakland Community College's Outstanding Alumnus for 2003, Astronaut Andrew J. Feustel, has been selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to participate in an 11-day mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope (Media-Newswire.com) – Oakland Community College's Outstanding Alumnus for 2003, Astronaut Andrew J. Feustel, has been selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to participate in an 11-day mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
Lake Orion Michigan native Feustel, 41, will be part of a seven-member crew that will launch sometime between spring and fall, 2008, according to a NASA announcement. Feustel has been designated one of the four crew members who will undertake space walks to make repairs on the ailing telescope.
"Dr. Feustel is literally an example of the heights to which OCC graduates can aspire. We are proud that one of our former students is a participant in this historic milestone" said OCC Chancellor Mary S. Spangler.
After graduating from OCC in 1986, Feustel went on to Purdue University to complete a bachelor's of science degree in earth sciences, and a master's in geophysics. He completed his Ph.D. in geologic science at Ontario's Queens University in 1995.
After working as an exploration geophysicist for Exxon Mobil for several years, Feustel realized a lifelong dream when he was selected by NASA as a mission specialist in 2000.
He was named OCC Outstanding Alumnus in 2003, and addressed the graduating class at commencement ceremonies held at the Palace of Auburn Hills that June.
Feustel frequently returns to Oakland County to visit with family, and often speaks to area students about his career.
