GODWIN REKINDLES MARVEL OF SHUTTLE MISSION

About eight times a year, NASA launches one of its four space shuttles. The missions -- although filled with amazing imagery and technological marvels -- have become almost commonplace for many people. We watch the launches and landings -- holding our breath for a moment -- and return immediately to our worldly concerns.

But this 62nd shuttle mission has become very meaningful for most Southeast Missouri residents. That's because the payload commander is none other than Oak Ridge native Linda Godwin.

It marks her second space flight -- the first was six days aboard the Shuttle Atlantis in April of 1991. She was responsible for deploying the $600 million, 17-ton Gamma Ray Observatory, using the shuttle's robot arm.

This time Godwin is aboard NASA's newest shuttle. It marks only the sixth mission for Endeavour. The mission, which was extended to 10 days, is scheduled to end Monday. She has been preparing for this current mission two and a half years.

Godwin's presence helps rekindle the magic and wonder of this mighty space program for many of us. And it gives our young people a chance to aim for the stars.

The shuttle missions often combine NASA projects with commercial ventures. NASA classifies this current mission as environmental. The $366 million worth of radar equipment -- the most advanced ever sent into space for environmental monitoring -- is providing unprecedented 3-D maps of deserts, forests, oceans, rivers and mountains.

Though her work has taken her hundreds of miles above the Earth, Godwin remains very down-to-earth. She has shared her good fortune with the entire region -- returning on several occasions to talk about the space program and stress the importance of a good education to youngsters. In May of 1991, she brought back a specially commissioned banner to Southeast Missouri State University that she took with her aboard the Atlantis. The university renamed its center for science and mathematics in Godwin's honor.

She's a great role model for area students, especially those in math and science. She demonstrates that desire and talents can help you realize your goal -- no matter how lofty -- even if you hail from a small town.

A native of Oak Ridge, Godwin was educated almost exclusively in Missouri. She graduated from Jackson High School in 1970 and earned a degree in physics from Southeast Missouri State University in 1974. She received her master and doctorate degrees in physics from the University of Missouri-Columbia. For Godwin, hard work and sacrifice has paid off. Her accomplishments provide inspiration to us all.

Her parents -- Maxine and James Godwin -- still live in Oak Ridge. They made the trip to Kennedy Space Center to see the liftoff.

Godwin is one of 101 astronauts in the U.S. space program. There's a good chance Godwin will return to space one day. Prior to this flight, 75 astronauts had flown on the shuttle once, 56 had flown twice, 28 had flown three times, 16 four times, and one has been on five shuttle missions, according to NASA. Astronauts are named to missions according to their areas of expertise.

As Godwin and the other astronauts soared 138 miles above the earth Tuesday -- NASA observed an anniversary. On April 12, 1981, NASA launched Columbia on the first shuttle flight.

How far we've come since the extraordinary achievement of 13 years ago to routine shuttle flights every few months. And it's amazing people like Linda Godwin who help us to appreciate this accomplishment.