Astronaut, Engineer, Speaker
– United States Astronaut, Retired – Mission Specialist on STS-117 and STS-119, Flight Engineer on Expedition 39 and Commander of Expedition 40; Logged 195 days 15 hours and 41 minutes hours in space
– Has completed 5 EVAS (Extravehicular Activities) for a total EVA time of 28 hours 5 minutes; Lead Spacewalker on STS-119
– Sent first Instagram Photo From Space
– Teaches leadership classes at BSU
– Mountain man/Outdoorsman
– Avid Runner & Ultramarathoner, mountain biker, skier
– Currently at Boise State University as a Distinguished Educator in Residence
– 3000 hours of aircraft flight time
For more information on booking Astronaut Steve Swanson for speaking engagements or events please contact us here
Honors and awards including: Awards & Honors Include
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- NASA Space Flight Medal
- NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal
- Flight Simulation Engineering Award
- Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Speaking Topics Include:
- Living In Space
- Space exploration and technology
- Leadership in the workplace and community
- Dedication and drive in all aspects of life
- The importance of STEM studies in education
Biography
Steve Swanson, (PH.D.) is an engineer and a former NASA Astronaut. He flew on two space shuttle missions and one space station expedition.
Swanson graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Physics, after which he earned a Master’s of Applied Science from Florida Atlantic University in Computer Systems. He furthered his education with a Doctorate in Computer Science from Texas A&M. Swanson began his work at NASA in 1987 as a systems engineer and flight engineer working on the Shuttle Training Aircraft. He was selected as an astronaut in 1998.
Swanson’s first flight to space was aboard Atlantis for STS-117, which marked the 250th orbital human spaceflight. He served as Mission Specialist 2 and completed 2 spacewalks, and operated both robotic arms. STS-117 delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) the second Starboard Truss segment (S3), which also included a set of solar arrays. STS-117 was the longest mission ever for Atlantis due to landing delays as a result of bad weather.
Swanson’s second flight was STS-119 aboard Discovery where he served as Mission Specialist 2 and Lead Spacewalker. This flight delivered and assembled the fourth set of Starboard Truss segment (S6) for ISS. Swanson completed 2 spacewalks on this flight.
Swanson’s third and final spaceflight was Expedition 39/40. He launched to the ISS aboard Soyuz TMA-12M March 25, 2014 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Swanson served as the ISS Commander for Expedition 40. He landed back in Kazakhstan on Sept. 11, 2014. He performed many scientific experiments while onboard and also performed one spacewalk to replace a broken computer.
