Astronauts Gorie and Olivas leave NASA

HOUSTON, May 27 (UPI) -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has announced the retirement of veteran astronauts Dominic Gorie and John "Danny" Olivas.

NASA said Olivas's last day with the agency was Tuesday, while Gorie will depart June 4.

Gorie, a retired U.S. Navy captain, is a veteran of four space shuttle flights, NASA said, noting he traveled more than 18 million miles in space during his missions, serving as pilot and commander.

Peggy Whitson, chief of the astronaut office at the Johnson Space Center, termed Gorie a superlative leader of people. "We will sincerely regret the loss of his candor, humor and professionalism," Whitson said.

Olivas has flown on two shuttle flights and accumulated more than 668 hours in space, serving on STS-117 in 2007 and on STS-128 in 2009, conducting five spacewalks.

"Danny's expertise in spacewalking and materials engineering will be sorely missed with his departure," Whitson said.