NAME:  Kenneth D. Cokcrell (Mr.)
       NASA Astronaut
 
BIRTHPLACE AND DATE:  Born April 9, 1950, in Austin, Texas.  His
parents, Dale and Jewell Cockrell, reside in Westminister, South
Carolina.
 
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:  Brown hair; blue eyes; 5 feet 8 inches; 140
pounds.
 
EDUCATION:  Graduated from Rockdale High School, Rockdale, Texas, in
1968; received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering
from University of Texas in 1972, and a master of science degree in
aeronautical systems from the University of West Florida in 1974.
 
MARITAL STATUS:  Married to the former Joan Denice Raines of Houston,
Texas.  Her parents, Leon and Rosemary Raines, reside in Houston.
 
CHILDREN:  Madeline Rebecca, January 1, 1990; Nathaniel Luis, January
19, 1992.
 
RECREATIONAL INTERESTS:  He enjoys sport flying, snow skiing, water
skiing, tennis, and is building an aerobatic biplane.
 
ORGANIZATIONS:  Member, Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP).
 
SPECIAL HONORS:  Awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, the Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.  Received the
Alcoa Foundation Scholarship upon graduating from High School.
 
EXPERIENCE:  Cockrell received his commission through the Naval
Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate program at Naval Air Station
Pensacola, Florida, in December 1972.  He was designated a Naval
Aviator in August 1974 at Naval Air Station Pensacola.  Following type
training in the A-7 aircraft, he flew the Corsair II from 1975 to 1978
aboard the USS Midway in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans.  In
1978 he reported to the United States Naval Test Pilot School at
Patuxent River, Maryland.  After graduation in 1979, he remained at
the Naval Air Test Center conducting a variety of flight tests on the
A-4, A-7, F-4, and F/A-18 aircraft through mid-1982.  He then reported
to Naval Station, San Diego, for duty as a staff officer for the
Commander of the USS Ranger and subsequently the USS Kitty Hawk Battle
Groups.  Cockrell was then assigned as a pilot in an operational
F/A-18 squadron and made two cruises on the USS Constellation in 1985
and 1987.  He resigned his commission in 1987 and accepted a position
at the Aircraft Operations Division of the Johnson Space Center.
Cockrell is a Commander in the United States Naval Reserve.  He has
logged over 5,100 flying hours and 650 carrier landings.
 
NASA EXPERIENCE:  From November 1987 to July 1990, Cockrell worked as
an aerospace engineer and research pilot at Ellington Field, Houston.
He was an instructor pilot and functional check pilot in NASA T-38
aircraft.  He conducted air sampling and other high altitude research
while piloting the WB-57, and was an aircraft commander in the
Gulfstream I administrative transport aircraft.
 
Selected by NASA in January 1990, Cockrell became an Astronaut in July
1991.  He is qualified for assignment as a pilot on future Space
Shuttle flight crews.  His technical assignments to date include
duties in the Astronaut Operations Development Branch, working on
landing, rollout, tires and brakes issues.
 
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT:  Cockrell is assigned as a mission specialist on
the crew of STS-56, carrying ATLAS-2.  During this nine-day mission
the crew of Endeavour will conduct atmospheric and solar studies in
order to better understand the effect of solar activity on the Earth's
climate and environment.  STS-56 is scheduled for launch in early
1993.
  
APRIL 1992