Leland D. Melvin

Leland D. Melvin wearing a spacesuit (NASA)

Leland D. Melvin went into the thirtieth space capsule launched into space. He was born in 1964 in Lynchburg, Virgina. He went to Heritage High School and then to the University of Virginia. He lived in Lynchburg, Virginia till 1998. Leland D. Melvin is still alive today.

He once visited a school in 2008 and spoke to children about when he went into space and helped launch a space shuttle. I am sure that they enjoyed meeting a real astronaut!

He was on the space shuttle from February 7, 2008 to February 10, 2008. Leland likes photography, piano, snowboarding, music, cycling, tennis, but what he loves the most is walking his dogs.

He was given the key to Lynchburg, Virginia. He was selected by NASA on June 1998. Mr. Melvin reported for training in August of 1998. Now he still works for NASA. Instead of Lynchburg, Virginia, he now works in Houston, Texas. My life is better because I know if a little Virginia boy can grow up to be an astronaut then so can I and so can you.