Piers Sellers, shuttle astronaut and renowned climate researcher, dies at 61

Former astronaut Piers Sellers, a British-born climate scientist who flew on three space shuttle missions to help construct the International Space Station, has died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 61. Sellers revealed his cancer diagnosis in a New York Times op-ed in January, in which he recognized his own fate while wrestling with that of planet Earth. He died Friday in Houston, according to a NASA statement. “The entire NASA family mourns the passing of scientist and astronaut Piers Sellers,” said NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden. “Piers was dedicated to all facets of exploration. His curiosity and drive to uncover new knowledge was generously shared with audiences around the world, both from space and in wide travels to reach as many people as possible with an essential understanding of our fragile planet.” More

(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Dec 27)