University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders All-Time Leading Receiver, Melvin Set For Second NASA Mission
Nov. 15, 2009
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Leland Melvin, a University of Richmond Hall of Famer and member of the All-UR Stadium Team, has begun final preparations for his second mission as a NASA astronaut. Melvin and his crew are set to launch from the Kennedy Space Center Monday at 2:28 p.m. ET.
The NASA veteran will serve as a mission specialist on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis for the 12-day mission, which is scheduled to deliver vital parts to the International Space Station.
Melvin completed his first space flight in November 2008 and has logged more than 300 hours in space.
The Lynchburg, Va. native received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Richmond in 1986 and a master of science degree in materials science engineering from the University of Virginia in 1991.
He played four years of football for the Spiders and stands as Richmond's all-time leading receiver with 2,669 yards. He is first in career receptions (198) and tied for fourth in career TDs (16).