HSL Astronauts

MIT Alumni Astronauts during the MIT AeroAstro Centennial Celebration held October 22-24, 2014 at MIT
From Left to Right: Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Charles M. Duke, Philip K. Chapman, Michael Collins, Karol J. Bobko, Russell L. Schweickart, Larry Young, and Buzz Aldrin.

 

Astronauts with HSL/MVL ties

Dates Names MVL Connection
2002-04 Sophie Adenot Graduate student
S.M., 2004, Aeronautics & Astronautics
Sophie was selected as an ESA Career Astronaut in 2022.
 
2002- Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Ph.D. Director, HSL; Professor
Jeff is Director of the Human Systems Laboratory and a Professor of the Practice in the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He was a Mission Specialist on STS-51-D (which included the first Shuttle contingency spacewalk), STS-35 (ASTRO-1 satellite), STS-46 (EURECA and Tethered Satellite System (TSS)), STS-61 (Hubble Telescope repair mission), and STS-75 (reflight of the TSS). Jeff was the first astronaut to log 1000 hours on the Space Shuttle..
 
1993-94 Stephen K. Robinson, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow
Steve is now a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California, Davis, and Director of the new Center for Human/Vehicle Integration and Performance. Steve has flown four missions: STS-85 (SPAS satellite), STS-95 (Glenn Spacelab flight), STS-114 (Return to Flight after the Columbia accident) and STS-130 (EVA install of the cupola).
 
1990-96 Nicholas J. M. Patrick, Ph.D. Larry Young was on his Thesis Committee
Dr. Patrick has logged 638 hours in space as a Mission Specialist on two International Space Station construction fights: STS-116 and STS-130.  He logged more than 18 hours during three spacewalks on STS-130.
 
1986-92 Michael J. Massimino, Ph.D. Larry Young was on his Thesis Committee
A veteran of two space flights, (STS-109 in March 2002 and STS-125 in May 2009), Massimino has logged a total of 571 hours and 47 minutes in space, and a cumulative total of 30 hours and 4 minutes of spacewalking in four spacewalks. 
 
1978-79 Byron K. Lichtenberg, Sc.D Graduate student
Sc.D, 1979, Biomedical Engr.
He was America's first payload specialist on STS-9 and later flew on STS-45.
 
1977-78 Col. Kenneth D. Cameron Undergraduate researcher
Ken is currently Executive Director, Houston Operations, for Hughes Training, Inc..
 
1962-64 Charles M. Duke Graduate student
Duke served as lunar module pilot of Apollo 16, April 16-27, 1972.  Apollo 16 was the first scientific expedition to inspect, surver, and sample materials and surface features in the Descartes region of the rugged lunar highlands.  It also holds the record for longest lunar surface stay of 71 hours and 14 minutes.