Robert C. Springer

Robert C. Springer
NASA Astronaut
Nationality	American
Status	Retired
Born	(1942-05-21) May 21, 1942 (age 74) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Other names	Robert Clyde Springer
Other occupation	Naval aviator, test pilot
Alma mater	USNA, B.S. 1964 NPS, M.S. 1971
Rank	Colonel, USMC
Time in space	9d 21h 32m
Selection	1980 NASA Group 9
Missions	STS-29, STS-38
Mission insignia

Robert Clyde "Bob" Springer (born May 21, 1942) is a retired American astronaut and test pilot who flew as a Mission Specialist on two NASA Space Shuttle missions in 1989 and 1990. A decorated aviator in the United States Marine Corps, Springer also flew more than 500 combat sorties during the Vietnam War. He has logged over 237 hours in space and 4,500 hours flying time, including 3,500 hours in jet aircraft.

Springer was born May 21, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America where he achieved its second highest rank, Life Scout. He graduated from Ashland High School in Ashland, Ohio in 1960. He received a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps following his 1964 graduation from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Science. Springer attended The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia before reporting to the Naval Air Training Command for flight training at Pensacola, Florida and Beeville, Texas.