Samuel T. DurranceStatus: Retired 9/17/1943 – Nationality: American Type: Payload Specialist First Flight: 12/2/1990 Last Flight: 3/2/1995Samuel Thornton Durrance (Ph.D.) is an American scientist who flew aboard two NASA Space Shuttle missions as a payload specialist.LaunchesSpace Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-35Space Shuttle Endeavour / OV-105 | STS-67National 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.