Burnout: the mystery of Space Shuttle STS-281 (45 page)

I absolutely have to thank my husband Darrell. Without his love and support, his comfort and encouragement, his near-infinite patience, the nights when he helped me brainstorm ideas and overcome writer's block, I'd never have finished even the first draft.

My parents, Steve and Colene Gannaway, are right up there on the list, too. They brought me up to believe that I could do anything I set my mind to, if I wanted it badly enough. They were right, too.

Dr. Travis Taylor has to come next, I think. As my already-published mentor, he provided invaluable guidance and encouragement and advice as I honed the manuscript and got it out there before publishers.

Lida Quillen, my publisher, is a dear. She patiently answered all my questions, even when I barraged her with emails. She gave feedback and encouragement, and she helped me grow as a writer.

So many friends and colleagues contributed so much in so many ways. But I want to specifically mention Carey McElroy for his tremendous encouragement, and not a few editorial comments, too! Comes in handy having a technical writer for a buddy. Tracy Calhoun, Gordy Seuell, Fred Frank, and Ted Mavrotheris all provided me with technical ideas and information.

All the people I worked beside for, lo, these many years gave me so much inspiration in so many ways, and there are far too many of you to list. If I were to try, my attempt would be woefully inadequate and invariably I would inadvertently forget someone. To all of you, I offer my deepest gratitude for many years of service at your side. I am proud of each one of them.

Author Bio

Stephanie Osborn is a former payload flight controller, a veteran of over twenty years of working in the civilian space program, as well as various military space defense programs. She has worked on numerous Space Shuttle flights and the International Space Station, and counts the training of astronauts on her resumé. Of those astronauts she trained, one was Kalpana Chawla, a member of the crew lost in the Columbia disaster.

She holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in four sciences: Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, and she is "fluent" in several more, including Geology and Anatomy. She obtained her various degrees from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.

Stephanie is currently retired from space work. She now happily "passes it forward," tutoring math and science to students in the Huntsville area, elementary through college, while writing science fiction mysteries based on her knowledge, experience, and travels.

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