List of United States Marine Corps astronauts
Encyclopedia
This is a list of United States Marine Corps
members who have served as NASA
astronaut
s.
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Project Mercury (1959–1963) was the first human spaceflight
program of the United States
. It ran from 1959 through 1963 with the goal of putting a human in orbit around the Earth. The Mercury-Atlas 6
flight on 20 February 1962, piloted by John Glenn, was the first Mercury flight to achieve this goal. U.S. Marines who were astronauts in the Mercury program:
. The Apollo Program ran from 1961 until 1975, and was the US civilian space agency's third human spaceflight program (following Project Mercury
and Project Gemini
). Apollo used Apollo spacecraft
and Saturn launch vehicles, which were later used for the Skylab
program and the joint American-Soviet Apollo-Soyuz Test Project
. U.S. Marines who were astronauts in the Apollo Program are:
's Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States government's current manned launch vehicle
. The winged Space Shuttle orbiter
is launched vertically, usually carrying five to seven astronauts (eight have been carried) and up to 50,000 lb (22 700 kg) of payload into low earth orbit
. When its mission is complete, the shuttle can independently move itself out of orbit and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. U.S. Marines who have been astronauts in the Space Shuttle Program are:
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
members who have served as NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
astronaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
s.
Project Mercury
Human spaceflight
Human spaceflight is spaceflight with humans on the spacecraft. When a spacecraft is manned, it can be piloted directly, as opposed to machine or robotic space probes and remotely-controlled satellites....
program of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It ran from 1959 through 1963 with the goal of putting a human in orbit around the Earth. The Mercury-Atlas 6
Mercury-Atlas 6
Mercury-Atlas 6 was a human spaceflight mission conducted by NASA, the space agency of the United States. As part of Project Mercury, MA-6 was the successful first attempt by NASA to place an astronaut into orbit. The MA-6 mission was launched February 20, 1962. It made three orbits of the Earth,...
flight on 20 February 1962, piloted by John Glenn, was the first Mercury flight to achieve this goal. U.S. Marines who were astronauts in the Mercury program:
- Lieutenant Colonel John H. Glenn, first American to make an orbital flight. (Glenn also flew aboard Space Shuttle DiscoverySTS-95STS-95 was a Space Shuttle Discovery mission launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida on 29 October 1998. It was the 25th flight of Discovery and the 92nd mission flown since the start of the Space Shuttle program in April 1981. It was a highly publicized mission due to former Project Mercury...
)
Apollo Program
The Apollo Program was a NASA spaceflight endeavor that landed the first humans on Earth's moon. Apollo set major milestones in human spaceflight and stands alone in sending manned missions beyond low Earth orbitLow Earth orbit
A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km...
. The Apollo Program ran from 1961 until 1975, and was the US civilian space agency's third human spaceflight program (following Project Mercury
Project Mercury
In January 1960 NASA awarded Western Electric Company a contract for the Mercury tracking network. The value of the contract was over $33 million. Also in January, McDonnell delivered the first production-type Mercury spacecraft, less than a year after award of the formal contract. On February 12,...
and Project Gemini
Project Gemini
Project Gemini was the second human spaceflight program of NASA, the civilian space agency of the United States government. Project Gemini was conducted between projects Mercury and Apollo, with ten manned flights occurring in 1965 and 1966....
). Apollo used Apollo spacecraft
Apollo spacecraft
The Apollo spacecraft was composed of five combined parts designed to accomplish the American Apollo program's goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by the end of the 1960s and returning them safely to Earth...
and Saturn launch vehicles, which were later used for the Skylab
Skylab
Skylab was a space station launched and operated by NASA, the space agency of the United States. Skylab orbited the Earth from 1973 to 1979, and included a workshop, a solar observatory, and other systems. It was launched unmanned by a modified Saturn V rocket, with a mass of...
program and the joint American-Soviet Apollo-Soyuz Test Project
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project
-Backup crew:-Crew notes:Jack Swigert had originally been assigned as the command module pilot for the ASTP prime crew, but prior to the official announcement he was removed as punishment for his involvement in the Apollo 15 postage stamp scandal.-Soyuz crew:...
. U.S. Marines who were astronauts in the Apollo Program are:
- R. Walter Cunningham (Apollo 7Apollo 7Apollo 7 was the first manned mission in the American Apollo space program, and the first manned US space flight after a cabin fire killed the crew of what was to have been the first manned mission, AS-204 , during a launch pad test in 1967...
) - Fred W. Haise, Jr. (Apollo 13Apollo 13Apollo 13 was the seventh manned mission in the American Apollo space program and the third intended to land on the Moon. The craft was launched on April 11, 1970, at 13:13 CST. The landing was aborted after an oxygen tank exploded two days later, crippling the service module upon which the Command...
) - Jack R. LousmaJack R. LousmaJack Robert Lousma is a former NASA astronaut and politician. He was a member of the second manned crew on the Skylab space station and also commanded the third space shuttle mission...
(Skylab 3Skylab 3Skylab 3 was the second manned mission to Skylab. The Skylab 3 mission started July 28, 1973, with the launch of three astronauts on the Saturn IB rocket, and lasted 59 days, 11 hours and 9 minutes...
and STS-3STS-3STS-3 was NASA's third Space Shuttle mission, and was the third mission for the Space Shuttle Columbia. It was the first shuttle launch with an unpainted external tank, and the only mission to land at the White Sands Space Harbor near Las Cruces, New Mexico.-Crew:-Backup crew:-Mission...
Space Shuttle ColumbiaSpace Shuttle ColumbiaSpace Shuttle Columbia was the first spaceworthy Space Shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. First launched on the STS-1 mission, the first of the Space Shuttle program, it completed 27 missions before being destroyed during re-entry on February 1, 2003 near the end of its 28th, STS-107. All seven crew...
) - Gerald P. CarrGerald P. CarrGerald Paul Carr is an engineer, retired United States Marine Corps colonel and former NASA astronaut. He was commander of Skylab 4, the third and final manned visit to the Skylab Orbital Workshop, from November 16, 1973 to February 8, 1974.-Biography:Carr was born in Denver, Colorado on August...
(Flight Commander Skylab 4Skylab 4Skylab 4 was the fourth Skylab mission and placed the third and final crew on board the space station. The mission started November 16, 1973 with the launch of three astronauts on a Saturn IB rocket, and lasted 84 days, 1 hour and 16 minutes...
) - Vance D. BrandVance D. BrandVance DeVoe Brand is an engineer and former test pilot and NASA astronaut. He served as command module pilot during the first U.S.-Soviet joint space flight in 1975, and as commander of three space shuttle missions....
(Apollo-Soyuz) - USMC Reserve (Marine rank not listed)
Space Shuttle Program
NASANASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States government's current manned launch vehicle
Launch vehicle
In spaceflight, a launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket used to carry a payload from the Earth's surface into outer space. A launch system includes the launch vehicle, the launch pad and other infrastructure....
. The winged Space Shuttle orbiter
Space Shuttle Orbiter
The Space Shuttle orbiter was the orbital spacecraft of the Space Shuttle program operated by NASA, the space agency of the United States. The orbiter was a reusable winged "space-plane", a mixture of rockets, spacecraft, and aircraft...
is launched vertically, usually carrying five to seven astronauts (eight have been carried) and up to 50,000 lb (22 700 kg) of payload into low earth orbit
Low Earth orbit
A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km...
. When its mission is complete, the shuttle can independently move itself out of orbit and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. U.S. Marines who have been astronauts in the Space Shuttle Program are:
- Fred W. Haise, Jr. (Commander Space Shuttle EnterpriseSpace Shuttle EnterpriseThe Space Shuttle Enterprise was the first Space Shuttle orbiter. It was built for NASA as part of the Space Shuttle program to perform test flights in the atmosphere. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of spaceflight...
, three flights) - Vance D. BrandVance D. BrandVance DeVoe Brand is an engineer and former test pilot and NASA astronaut. He served as command module pilot during the first U.S.-Soviet joint space flight in 1975, and as commander of three space shuttle missions....
(Space Shuttle ColumbiaSpace Shuttle ColumbiaSpace Shuttle Columbia was the first spaceworthy Space Shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. First launched on the STS-1 mission, the first of the Space Shuttle program, it completed 27 missions before being destroyed during re-entry on February 1, 2003 near the end of its 28th, STS-107. All seven crew...
and Space Shuttle ChallengerSpace Shuttle ChallengerSpace Shuttle Challenger was NASA's second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service, Columbia having been the first. The shuttle was built by Rockwell International's Space Transportation Systems Division in Downey, California...
) - Robert F. OvermyerRobert F. OvermyerRobert Franklyn Overmyer, Colonel, United States Marine Corps, Ret. was an American test pilot and NASA astronaut. He was born in Lorain, Ohio, but considered Westlake, Ohio his hometown.-Early life:...
(Columbia and Challenger) - David C. HilmersDavid C. HilmersDavid Carl Hilmers is a former NASA astronaut.Hilmers was born January 28, 1950, in Clinton, Iowa, but considers DeWitt, Iowa, to be his hometown. He is married to Angela Cayotopa Escalante of Lima, Peru. He has two grown sons. His recreational interests include playing the piano, gardening,...
(Space Shuttle AtlantisSpace Shuttle AtlantisThe Space Shuttle Atlantis is a retired Space Shuttle orbiter in the Space Shuttle fleet belonging to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration , the spaceflight and space exploration agency of the United States...
and Space Shuttle DiscoverySpace Shuttle DiscoverySpace Shuttle Discovery is one of the retired orbiters of the Space Shuttle program of NASA, the space agency of the United States, and was operational from its maiden flight, STS-41-D on August 30, 1984, until its final landing during STS-133 on March 9, 2011...
) - James F. Buchli (Atlantis, Challenger, and Discovery)
- Bryan D. O'ConnorBryan D. O'ConnorBryan Daniel O'Connor is a retired United States Marine Corps colonel and former National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronaut.-Personal:...
(Atlantis and Columbia) - Charles F. Bolden, Jr.Charles F. Bolden, Jr.Charles Frank "Charlie" Bolden, Jr. is the current Administrator of NASA, a retired United States Marine Corps major general, and former NASA astronaut....
(Columbia, Discovery, and Atlantis) - Robert D. CabanaRobert D. CabanaRobert Donald Cabana is the director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center, a NASA astronaut, and a veteran of four Space Shuttle flights. He is also a former Naval Flight Officer and Naval Aviator in the United States Marine Corps.-Personal:...
(Discovery and Columbia) - Robert C. SpringerRobert C. SpringerRobert Clyde "Bob" Springer is a retired American astronaut and test pilot who flew as a mission specialist on two NASA space shuttle missions in 1989–90. A decorated aviator in the U.S. Marine Corps, Springer also flew more than 500 combat sorties during the Vietnam War...
(Atlantis) - Kenneth D. CameronKenneth D. CameronKenneth Donald Cameron , Colonel, USMC, Ret., is a former NASA astronaut.-Background:Cameron was born on November 29, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Rocky River High School, Rocky River, Ohio, in 1967...
(Atlantis and Discovery) - Andrew M. AllenAndrew M. AllenAndrew Michael "Andy" Allen is a retired United States Astronaut. A former United States Marine Corps aviator and Lt. Colonel, he worked as a test pilot before joining NASA in 1987. He flew three shuttle missions before retiring in 1997....
(Atlantis and Columbia) - Terrence W. WilcuttTerrence W. WilcuttTerrence Wade Wilcutt is an United States Marine Corps officer and a NASA astronaut. He is a veteran of four space shuttle missions...
(Space Shuttle EndeavourSpace Shuttle EndeavourSpace Shuttle Endeavour is one of the retired orbiters of the Space Shuttle program of NASA, the space agency of the United States. Endeavour was the fifth and final spaceworthy NASA space shuttle to be built, constructed as a replacement for Challenger...
) - Carlos I. NoriegaCarlos I. NoriegaCarlos Ismael Noriega is a Peruvian born NASA employee, a former NASA astronaut and a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel.-Personal:...
(Atlantis and Endeavour) - Frederick W. SturckowFrederick W. SturckowFrederick Wilford "Rick" Sturckow is a United States Marine Corps officer and a NASA astronaut. Sturckow is a veteran of four shuttle missions. He flew STS-88 and STS-105 as a pilot and STS-117 and STS-128 as a commander. All four missions docked with the International Space Station, making...
(Endeavour, Discovery (twice), and Atlantis) - Charles O. HobaughCharles O. HobaughCharles Owen "Scorch" Hobaugh is a NASA astronaut and a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer. He has had three spaceflights, all of which were Space Shuttle missions to the International Space Station, lasting between 10 and 13 days.Hobaugh was selected to be an astronaut in 1996, and his first...
(Atlantis and Endeavour) - Joseph M. AcabaJoseph M. AcabaJoseph Michael "Joe" Acaba is an educator, hydrogeologist, and NASA astronaut. In May 2004 he became the first person of Puerto Rican heritage to be named as a NASA astronaut candidate, when he was selected as a member of NASA Astronaut Training Group 19...
, USMC Reserve, Sergeant (Discovery) - George D. ZamkaGeorge D. ZamkaGeorge David "Zambo" Zamka is an American NASA astronaut and United States Marine Corps pilot with over 3500 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft...
(Pilot aboard Space Shuttle DiscoverySpace Shuttle DiscoverySpace Shuttle Discovery is one of the retired orbiters of the Space Shuttle program of NASA, the space agency of the United States, and was operational from its maiden flight, STS-41-D on August 30, 1984, until its final landing during STS-133 on March 9, 2011...
{STS 120} and Commander aboard Space Shuttle EndeavourSpace Shuttle EndeavourSpace Shuttle Endeavour is one of the retired orbiters of the Space Shuttle program of NASA, the space agency of the United States. Endeavour was the fifth and final spaceworthy NASA space shuttle to be built, constructed as a replacement for Challenger...
{STS-130STS-130STS-130 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station . 's primary payloads were the Tranquility module and the Cupola, a robotic control station with six windows around its sides and another in the center, providing a 360-degree view around the station...
}) - Douglas G. HurleyDouglas G. HurleyDouglas Gerald Hurley is an engineer and NASA astronaut. He piloted Space Shuttle mission STS-127, which launched July 15, 2009. He was assigned and flew as pilot for STS-135, the final flight of the Space Shuttle program, in July 2011...
(Endeavour) - Randolph J. Bresnik (Atlantis)
See also
- List of famous U.S. Marines
- List of historically important U.S. Marines