"Southern Cross" in orbit

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - When the Space Shuttle Endeavour goes into space early Monday morning, a bit of Orange Beach will go along for the ride.

A pewter cross will be on board the shuttle, thanks to the family of NASA astronaut and Mobile native, Kathryn Hire. Her late mother was a member of St. Thomas-by-the-Sea Catholic Church in Orange Beach.

Hire will be a Mission Specialist on STS-130. In a NASA interview , Hire said, “As Mission Specialist 1 I will fly on the flight deck both for ascent and for entry, assisting the team there, the Commander and the Pilot and Mission Specialist 2 serving as the Flight Engineer. I’ll be assisting that team and also later throughout the flight I will be operating the space shuttle robotic arm and assisting with operating the International Space Station robotic arm.”

St. Thomas’ pastor, Rev. James Dane says the church was contacted by NASA about the cross several months ago.

After the cross returns from orbit, it will displayed at the Orange Beach church.

Hire is a 1973 graduate of St. Pius X School in Mobile, and is a 1977 graduate of Murphy High School.