Daniel Brandenstein signed photo

Daniel Brandenstein was pilot on STS-8, his first flight, which launched at night from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on August 30, 1983. This was the third flight for the Orbiter Challenger and the first mission with a night launch and night landing.
On his second mission (June 17-24, 1985). Brandenstein commanded the crew of STS-51G aboard the Orbiter Discovery.
Brandenstein then commanded the crew of STS-32 (January 9-20, 1990). In the longest Shuttle mission to date, crew members aboard the Orbiter Columbia performed extensive in-flight aerobic exercise to evaluate human adaptation to extended duration missions. Following 173 orbits of the Earth in 261 hours, the mission ended with a night landing in California.

Brandenstein also commanded the crew of STS-49 (May 7-16, 1992) on the maiden flight of the new Space Shuttle Endeavour.

With the completion of his fourth flight, Brandenstein logged over 789 hours in space.
(NASA litho)