Sherwood “Woody” Spring received a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering from the United States Military Academy in 1967. After graduation, Spring served two tours of duty in Vietnam. The first was from 1968 to 1969 with the 101st Airborne Division. The second tour, 1970-1971, came immediately after flight school and was served as a helicopter pilot with the 1st Cavalry Division. He then earned a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Arizona in 1974 and graduated from the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School in 1976.

Mr. Spring was selected as an astronaut in May 1980. Spring served as a mission specialist on STS-61B in 1985 when he was responsible for launching three communications satellites and performed two extravehicular activities (EVAs). The EVAs, totaling more than 12 hours, investigated space station construction techniques, large structure manipulation while on the end of the remote arm and a time and motion study for comparison between Earth training and space performance. With the completion of STS-61B he logged a total of 165 hours in space.

He was on the Tiger Team for the Challenger accident, which occurred six weeks after his own flight. Following the Challenger accident, Mr. Spring was selected to lead the Army’s Space Program Office. He attended the Defense Systems Acquisition Management Program, and then managed a classified program that brings National Satellite based intelligence directly to the battlefield.

Spring retired from NASA in August 1988, earning many awards and medals throughout his career. He is currently a professor of Engineering, Test and Evaluation, plus Science and Technology Management at the Defense Acquisition University San Diego Campus.