Simon Ostrach:
Soaring to New Heights
Laura Nelson
Laura Nelson
Nothing can
keep Simon Ostrach down. 
Not a lack of money – Ostrach’s limited finances didn’t prevent him from earning two engineering degrees from the University of Rhode Island, and two advanced degrees in applied mathematics from Brown University.
Not age – at 80, he is still going strong as the Wilbert J. Austin Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University and director of NASA’s National Center for Microgravity Research on Fluids and Combustion.
Not even gravity – Ostrach has completed 16 flights aboard NASA’s exclusive KC-135, a modified Boeing 707 turbojet affectionately known as the “Vomit Comet,” used to simulate weightlessness for short periods of time. He is the oldest person ever to do so.
While most passengers get airsick on the plane as it does its steep climbs and loops, Ostrach says he’s never felt nauseous in the more than 500 parabolic maneuvers he’s experienced aboard the plane.
“I’ve never gotten sick on the NASA flights,” said Ostrach. “I just get euphoric. I’m looking forward to flying again this spring.”
The extraordinary ambition, enthusiasm and stamina that drive him to defy gravity have also propelled his career. A renowned engineer, scholar, scientist, teacher, and author, Ostrach has earned accolades from the public, private, and academic sectors throughout his 50+-year career. In 1993, NASA awarded Ostrach its Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest honor NASA confers on a person who is not employed by the government. He was honored for his extensive contributions to NASA space science, including pioneering research in the behavior of fluids in low gravity, public advocacy of U.S. efforts to conduct science experiments in space and the development of two successful space experiments.
He served two terms as home secretary of the National Academy of Engineering and is a member of its program advisory board. He also was a member of the National Research Council Board of Governors and has been a member of its executive committee, the space studies board committee and its executive committee and a member of the Ohio Science and Engineering Round Table, among others.
Despite a schedule that a man half his age would find daunting, Ostrach shows no signs of slowing down.
“There are so many great opportunities and things to be done,” said Ostrach when asked about retiring. “With the ambitious space initiative recently announced by the Bush administration, this is a very exciting time for me and the Center for Microgravity Research.”
Despite the many demands on his time and energies, he has remained a steadfast supporter of the University of Rhode Island. In 1995, Ostrach received an honorary degree from URI for his service to the institution. In 1998, he established an endowed professorship at the College of Engineering, a position currently held by Dr Arun Shukla.
This past February, Ostrach returned to his alma mater to deliver a Distinguished Lecture Series presentation on “The Challenges of Human Exploration in Space.”
Not a lack of money – Ostrach’s limited finances didn’t prevent him from earning two engineering degrees from the University of Rhode Island, and two advanced degrees in applied mathematics from Brown University.
Not age – at 80, he is still going strong as the Wilbert J. Austin Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University and director of NASA’s National Center for Microgravity Research on Fluids and Combustion.
Not even gravity – Ostrach has completed 16 flights aboard NASA’s exclusive KC-135, a modified Boeing 707 turbojet affectionately known as the “Vomit Comet,” used to simulate weightlessness for short periods of time. He is the oldest person ever to do so.
While most passengers get airsick on the plane as it does its steep climbs and loops, Ostrach says he’s never felt nauseous in the more than 500 parabolic maneuvers he’s experienced aboard the plane.
“I’ve never gotten sick on the NASA flights,” said Ostrach. “I just get euphoric. I’m looking forward to flying again this spring.”
The extraordinary ambition, enthusiasm and stamina that drive him to defy gravity have also propelled his career. A renowned engineer, scholar, scientist, teacher, and author, Ostrach has earned accolades from the public, private, and academic sectors throughout his 50+-year career. In 1993, NASA awarded Ostrach its Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest honor NASA confers on a person who is not employed by the government. He was honored for his extensive contributions to NASA space science, including pioneering research in the behavior of fluids in low gravity, public advocacy of U.S. efforts to conduct science experiments in space and the development of two successful space experiments.
He served two terms as home secretary of the National Academy of Engineering and is a member of its program advisory board. He also was a member of the National Research Council Board of Governors and has been a member of its executive committee, the space studies board committee and its executive committee and a member of the Ohio Science and Engineering Round Table, among others.
Despite a schedule that a man half his age would find daunting, Ostrach shows no signs of slowing down.
“There are so many great opportunities and things to be done,” said Ostrach when asked about retiring. “With the ambitious space initiative recently announced by the Bush administration, this is a very exciting time for me and the Center for Microgravity Research.”
Despite the many demands on his time and energies, he has remained a steadfast supporter of the University of Rhode Island. In 1995, Ostrach received an honorary degree from URI for his service to the institution. In 1998, he established an endowed professorship at the College of Engineering, a position currently held by Dr Arun Shukla.
This past February, Ostrach returned to his alma mater to deliver a Distinguished Lecture Series presentation on “The Challenges of Human Exploration in Space.”