Astronaut, Aviator, Leader and Speaker
- NASA Astronaut – Pilot of STS-41 and STS-53 and Commander of STS-65 and STS-88
- Logged over 1,010 hours in space
- Experienced Leader – US Marine Corps and NASA
For more information on booking Robert “Bob” Cabana for speaking engagements or events please contact us here
Biography
Astronaut Robert (Bob) Cabana (Colonel, USMC, Ret.) is a former Naval Aviator, Test Pilot, and NASA astronaut.
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Cabana graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and completed Naval Flight Officer training in Pensacola, Florida, in 1972. Cabana then served as an A-6 bombardier/navigator with Marine Air Wings in Cherry Point, North Carolina, and Iwakuni, Japan. He earned his wings as a Naval Aviator in 1976 and was the top Marine to complete flight training that year. He graduated from U. S. Naval Test Pilot School with distinction and has logged over 7,000 flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft.
Selected as a NASA Astronaut in 1985, Cabana served as the Pilot on STS-41 and STS-53 and as the Commander on STS-65 and STS-88. His missions included deployment of satellites as well as commanding the first assembly mission of the International Space Station.
In addition to his spaceflights, Cabana had a number of leadership roles at NASA including Chief of the Astronaut Office, Director of Flight Crew Operations, Deputy Director of Johnson Space Center, Director of Stennis Space Center, Director of Kennedy Space Center where he was responsible for safely flying out the final Space Shuttle Missions and creating the multi-user government/commercial spaceport of today, and as the Associate Administrator of NASA.
Honors and Awards Include:
- 2019 Partnership for Public Service “Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal” for Management Excellence
- 2015 National Space Trophy Honoree
- 2020 U. S. Naval Academy Distinguished Alumni Award
- Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) Fellow
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronauts (AIAA) Fellow
- 2008 Inductee to the Astronaut Hall of Fame
- Numerous Military and NASA Awards
Speaking Portfolio
- Change Leadership – The transformation of the Kennedy Space Center to the World’s Preeminent Commercial spaceport
- Elevating Leadership – Becoming a better leader in any industry
- Leadership’s Enduring journey – Customized motivational talk focused on the power of persistence and doing your best. Aimed at students of ALL ages
Watch
Video career summary (USNA Distinguished Grad Award)
