Uniform, Coverall, Space Shuttle Closeout Crew Chief

This uniform was worn by a chief of the Space Shuttle launch pad closeout crew. These men and women made a final check of the astronauts' launch entry suits before boarding, assisted the Shuttle crew into their seats, and buckled them in for launch. The chief (designated by the numeral 1 patches on the suit) closed and sealed the Shuttle hatch. The closeout crew chief also conducted launch pad safety and evacuation training for the astronauts and launch pad crew. The donor of this uniform, Travis Thompson, joined the closeout crew in 1983, served in that role for almost 100 missions, and was chief for the last ten years of Shuttle missions.

Travis Thompson donated this uniform to the Museum after the final Shuttle launch in 2011.