Randy Bresnik (NASA)
SANTA MONICA -- An astronaut aboard space shuttle Atlantis who has ties to Southern California is walking on air in more ways than one -- he's a proud new father.
Randy Bresnik's wife Rebecca gave birth to a baby girl early Sunday -- just hours after the astronaut's first-ever spacewalk. Abigail Mae Bresnik was born at 12:04 a.m. in Houston.
Bresnik, a 1985 graduate of Santa Monica High School, is among six astronauts aboard Atlantis, which lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida Nov. 16.
The 42-year-old mission specialist and U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel participated in two of three spacewalks during the mission.
Bresnik was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in May 2004. He completed astronaut candidate training in February 2006.
The crew is delivering 14 tons of spare parts to the International Space Station during its 11-day mission. They will also return Nicole Stott to Earth from the International Space Station.
Bresnik received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from The Citadel in 1989 and a master's degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2002. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1989, and designated a naval aviator in 1992. He flew combat missions during the Iraq War in 2003.
Bresnik's father, also known as Randy Bresnik, still resides in Santa Monica.
The crew also includes Leland Melvin, who was a record-setting receiver for the University of Richmond and chosen by the Detroit Lions in the 11th round of the 1986 NFL Draft, but released before the start of the season.
Bresnik is not the first astronaut to become a father while in space. Mike Fincke's daughter was born in June 2004 while he was on the International Space Station, according to NASA.
Randy Bresnik's wife Rebecca gave birth to a baby girl early Sunday -- just hours after the astronaut's first-ever spacewalk. Abigail Mae Bresnik was born at 12:04 a.m. in Houston.
Bresnik, a 1985 graduate of Santa Monica High School, is among six astronauts aboard Atlantis, which lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida Nov. 16.
The 42-year-old mission specialist and U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel participated in two of three spacewalks during the mission.
Bresnik was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in May 2004. He completed astronaut candidate training in February 2006.
The crew is delivering 14 tons of spare parts to the International Space Station during its 11-day mission. They will also return Nicole Stott to Earth from the International Space Station.
Bresnik received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from The Citadel in 1989 and a master's degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2002. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1989, and designated a naval aviator in 1992. He flew combat missions during the Iraq War in 2003.
Bresnik's father, also known as Randy Bresnik, still resides in Santa Monica.
The crew also includes Leland Melvin, who was a record-setting receiver for the University of Richmond and chosen by the Detroit Lions in the 11th round of the 1986 NFL Draft, but released before the start of the season.
Bresnik is not the first astronaut to become a father while in space. Mike Fincke's daughter was born in June 2004 while he was on the International Space Station, according to NASA.
