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r. Thomas Marshburn (pictured at left) was a college professor, but at
this moment in the spring of 2013, he was a
looong
way from the class-
room. Years earlier, he had spent many years studying hard to become a
medical doctor. He also had a degree in physics. He had become a teacher to pass
on what he had learned along the way. So why was he floating 200 miles (321 km)
above the Earth, wearing a space suit and facing a pressure-packed situation?
Because Marshburn was a scientist
and
an astronaut. As the Earth spun below
him, Marshburn had to call on all of his skills to help save his fellow astronauts.
Action!
WORDS TO UNDERSTAND
airlock
a room on a space station from which
astronauts can move from inside to outside the
station and back
ammonia
a gas used in refrigeration; can be deadly
if inhaled