NASA astronaut, Shannon Walker, retired on July 10, concluding a career that lasted 38 years, including 30 years of federal service and over 21 as an astronaut. During two space flights, she spent 330 days in orbit, contributing to hundreds of scientific experiences and technological demonstrations for the benefit of humanity.
Walker was a mission specialist during the NASA SpaceX Crew-1 mission at the International Space Station in 2020, the first space-dragon space flight at the crew. She was also the first woman to fly aboard a dragon spacecraft. Once on the orbit laboratory, Walker joined the crew of the 64/65 expedition and briefly ordered the shipment 65, recording 167 days in the space before returning to Earth in May 2021.
She spent 163 days in space during her first space flight in 2010 as a member of the 24/25 space station’s shipping team. She was the Soyuz TMA-19 pilot, who became the first crew to dock with the station’s Rassvet module.
“Shannon’s dedication to human space exploration has left an incredible impact, not only here in Houston, but through industry,” said Steve Koerner, interim director of the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. “Her leadership and his advice will miss a lot, but she leaves behind an inheritance of excellence that will continue to inspire the next generation of explorers for the decades to come.”
More recently, Walker was deputy chief of the astronauts office. She also supervised the 2021 class of astronaut candidates, supervising their training and diploma in 2024.
“Shannon and I was part of the same astronaut class when we started,” said Joe Acaba, head of the Nasa Johnson astronauts office. “She has been a great friend for me since and a great leader in the astronauts office. I could not imagine a better partner by my side when, almost 20 years later, we became chief and deputy chief. She undoubtedly had a positive influence on this office, and her retirement is well deserved. ”
Walker began his career as a flight controller at the NASA Johnson Mission Control Center, supporting several shuttle missions. She then worked in the office of the International Space Station program, helping to develop, build and integrate equipment for the space station. At the start of the space station, she returned to the mission control, leading the engineering team responsible for technical health of the space station.
She was selected as an astronaut in 2004. After completing her first two years of training, she was an astronaut for crew support and worked as a capsule communicator, or Capcom. She also held management positions within the various branches of the Astronauts Office focused on the international space station operations, from Soyuz missions to the crew and to support astronauts with flight assignments. She also ordered the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations Project, or Neemo 15 Underwater Mission.
“I had always known that I wanted to be astronaut when I grew up, but looking back over the last 38 years, I would never have imagined how many adventures my career would take me,” said Walker. “I feel lucky to have been able to work with people around the world in pursuing space exploration. I have seen a lot of change in the evolution of human space flight, and I know that the future is in good hands with all the talented people we have here and the generations to come. ”
The native of Houston frequented Rice University in her hometown, where she obtained a baccalaureate in physics, followed by a master’s degree and a doctorate in space physics.
Find out more about the way NASA explores the unknown and innovates in favor of humanity at: https://www.nasa.gov/
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Chelsey Ballarte
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
Chelsey.n.ballarte@nasa.gov
