Thursday, June 29, 2006

Lisa Caputo (Nowak); Italian American Astronaut on Discovery Launch on Saturday

The ANNOTICO Report

 

Italian girls should not go this far from home!!! :)

 

Commander Lisa Caputo Nowak, will be the First Italian American Astronaut in Space aboard Discovery space shuttle when it is scheduled for Launch on Saturday July 1, on an 11-day mission to deliver equipment to aid the International Space Station.

 

From the first USA space launch there have been almost  200 astronauts. Thirty-three have been females.

 

While I am pleased as punch of Lisa's choice,  it seems long overdue.

 

American male astronauts with Italian surnames have included: Charles Joseph "Charlie" Camarda, Lawrence James "Larry" DeLucas,  Michael Massimino, Richard Mastracchio, Albert Sacco, Jr, Walter Marty Schirra, Jr, Daniel Michio Tani. Interestingly, Michael Collins was born in Rome.

 

Italian Astronauts are : Maurizio Cheli, Umberto Guidoni, Franco Egidio Malerba,  and Roberto Vittori,

 

43 year old Nowak, graduated with a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985, became a naval flight officer in 1987, and has logged more than 1,500 flight hours in 30 different aircraft. Received a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering and a degree of aeronautical and astronautical engineer from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, both in 1992, was then assigned to NASA in 1996.

 

Lisa Caputo was born May 10, 1963, in Washington, D.C. Her parents, Alfredo and Jane Caputo, reside in Rockville, Maryland In 1981, Lisa married  Richard T. Nowak of South Burlington, Vermont. They have three children, including a pair of twins.

 

The article below talks about Lisa's extended family of Caputo's, Hoskins, and Nowaks from the Salt Lake City, Utah area , some that will be flying to Florida to watch the Launch.

 

This mission is only the second since the Columbia disaster in 2003

 

ASTRONAUT BLASTOFF A BLAST FOR FAMILY

The Salt Lake Tribune By Sheena McFarland June 29, 2006

 

Lisa Nowak will soon be farther away from her family than she has ever been - something that makes her Utah relatives proud and nervous. 

 

Nowak is scheduled for her first launch into space aboard the Discovery space shuttle Saturday on an 11-day mission to deliver equipment to aid the International Space Station. Her aunt, cousin and second cousins from Utah will fly to Florida today with the hopes of watching the launch, if the weather holds. 

 

"They say to plan a vacation and hope for a launch," said aunt Cathy Caputo Hoskins, who serves as director of the Salt Lake City Community Action Program. "We're all just so proud of her." 

 

Nowak's second cousin, Tony Caputo, who owns the bustling Tony Caputo's Market and Deli, said he's happy her day in space has finally come. 

 

"She's been tentatively going up for nearly a decade. I'm glad for her that she finally gets to get that thing on the road," said Caputo, who will not fly to Florida, but plans to watch the launch on television. 

 

For Hoskins, who is the sister of Nowak's father, Alfredo Caputo, her niece's launch is not only about a dream come true, but the effect it's had on the Italian-American community across the nation. Nowak is the first female Italian-American to go into space. 

 

"So often you see Italian-Americans depicted as members of the mafia. It's so nice to see someone who has accomplished so much," she said. 

 

Nowak was honored by the National Organization of Italian American Women and featured on the cover of the Italian America  magazine. The mayor of Aiello, Italy, located on the southwest coast, has said he would make Nowak an honorary citizen of Italy. 

 

"We are all very proud of our Italian roots, and Lisa reflects well on a great heritage," Hoskins said. 

Of course, the family worries about the safety of their relative. This mission is only the second since the Columbia disaster in 2003.

 

"Our pride is just a bit tempered over our worries, but if she feels comfortable enough to do it, we do, too," Hoskins said. 

 

Nowak's great-aunts, Rose Caputo, 89, and Hazel Caputo, 78, are not traveling to Florida for health reasons, but can't stop talking about how proud they are of Nowak. 

 

"We've told all of our friends and everyone who knows us about this," Hazel Caputo said. The two sisters have prayed diligently for Nowak's safe journey, and sent her an angel pin blessed by the Rev. Thomas Kaiser, a Catholic priest, to watch over her. 

 

"You don't think of there being a problem, but you never know," Hazel Caputo said. 

 

Rose Caputo has faith in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 

 

"NASA wouldn't let it up if it wasn't safe," Rose Caputo said. 

 

The Hoskins, her daughter, Mary Jo Lindula, and Lindula's daughters, Alley, 12, and Lauren, 2, will travel to Florida for the launch. Nowak's parents are hosting a party at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center for the 50 or so family members traveling to Florida, and then watch the launch Saturday. Forecasts of storms have lessened the chances of a launch Saturday at 1:49 p.m., but NASA officials are still hopeful. They will attempt four launches over five days if necessary. 


After the launch, the family plans to go to Disneyland.

 

"If all goes well, we'll plan a big family get-together sometime after the mission," Hoskins said. 

That comment is met with a quick counter from Lindula. "When all goes well, Mom. When."

 

 

 

 

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