John E. BlahaStatus: Retired 8/26/1942 – Nationality: American Type: Government First Flight: 3/13/1989 Last Flight: 9/26/1996John Elmer Blaha is a retired United States Air Force colonel and a former NASA astronaut. He is a veteran of five space missions aboard the Space Shuttle and Mir. Blaha is married to the former Brenda I. Walters of St. Louis, Missouri. They have three grown children and four grandchildren.LaunchesSpace Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-29Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-33Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-43Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-58Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-79National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationType: Government Abbreviation: NASA Administration: Administrator: Jim Bridenstine Founded: 1958 Launchers: Space Shuttle | SLS Spacecraft: Orion Country: USAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA have many launch facilities but most are inactive. The most commonly used pad will be LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.