University of Richmond alumnus set for Dec. 6 shuttle liftoff
Leland Melvin , a 1986 graduate of the University of Richmond, is a member of the seven-member space shuttle Atlantis crew scheduled for liftoff at 4:31 p.m. Dec. 6 from Cape Canaveral, Fla.
The 43-year-old Melvin, a Lynchburg native who earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry while playing college football for the Spiders, will serve as mission specialist-1 and primary operator of Atlantis' robotic arm.
Atlantis will deliver the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, along with a replacement crew member, to the International Space Station. The launch will be the 121st launch of a shuttle, Atlantis' 29th flight and Melvin's first trip into space.
The university community will celebrate Melvin's achievement with a banner atop Boatwright Memorial Library tower and group viewing of the shuttle launch on widescreen TV in Tyler Hanes Commons. Melvin will carry several items of university memorabilia into space.
The preceding was compiled from a University of Richmond news release.
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