Selected by NASA in January 1990, Dr. Thomas became an astronaut in July 1991. Dr. Thomas has served in the Safety, Operations Development, and Payloads Branches of the Astronaut Office. He was CAPCOM (spacecraft communicator) for Shuttle missions STS-47, 52 and 53. From July 1999 to June 2000 he was Director of Operations for NASA at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. A veteran of four space flights, STS-65, STS-70, STS-83 and STS-94, he has logged over 1,040 hours in space as a Mission Specialist.

Matthew Clobridge is currently the head of technology for Durham County Library after spending four years as the library’s webmaster. Prior to working at the library, he spent time in television news as a video editor/director and in education as a technology specialist. A life-long space geek, Matt is thrilled to be able to bring Go For Launch! to Durham County student.