The NASA astronaut, Megan Mcarthur, has retired, concluding a career covering more than two decades. A veteran of two space flights, McArthur recorded 213 days in space, including the first woman to pilot a spacecraft spacecraft and the last person to “touch” the Hubble space telescope with the robotic arm of the space shuttle.
McArthur was launched as a pilot of the NASA SpaceX Crew-2 mission in April 2021, marking its second space flight and its first long-term stay aboard the international space station. During the 200 -day mission, she was theft engineer for 65/66 expeditions, conducting a wide range of scientific experiences in human health, materials of materials and robotics to advance the exploration of the moon under Artemis and prepare to send American astronauts to Mars.
His first space flight was STS-125 in 2009, aboard the Atlantis space shuttle, the fifth and last service mission in Hubble. As a mission specialist, she was responsible for capturing the telescope with the robotic arm, as well as supporting five space balls to update and repair Hubble after her first 19 years in space. She also played a key role in supporting shuttle operations when launching, appointment with the telescope and landing.
“Megan’s thoughtful leadership, operational excellence and deep commitment to science and exploration have had a lasting impact,” said Steve Koerner, acting director at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. “His contributions have helped shape the future of human spatial exploration, and we are incredibly grateful for its service.”
In addition to his flight experience, McArthur has held various technical and leadership positions within NASA. In 2019, she became head of the assistant division of the astronauts office, supporting training, development and operations during spatial assistance. She was also deputy director of flight operations for the international station station program from 2017.
Since 2022, McArthur has been director of science at Space Center Houston, the NASA Johnson official reception center. Continuing in this role, it actively promotes public commitment with spatial exploration themes, aimed at increasing the understanding of the advantages for humanity and improving scientific literacy.
“Megan has brought a unique combination of technical skills and compassion to everything it has done,” said Joe Acaba, head of the Nasa Johnson astronauts office. “Whether in space or in the field, she embodied the best of what it means to be an astronaut and teammate. Her contributions will be felt by the next generation of explorers that she has helped to train.”
McArthur was born in Honolulu and grew up like a “navy child” in many different places in the world. She obtained a baccalaureate in aerospace engineering from the University of California in Los Angeles and a doctorate in oceanography of the Institution of Oceanography scripps from the University of California in San Diego. Before being selected as astronaut in 2000, she conducted oceanographic research focused on underwater acoustics, which involved ship’s work and in-depth underwater diving.
McArthur is married to the former NASA astronaut, Robert Behnken, who also stole aboard the Space Endeavour spacecraft during the agency SpaceX Mission of the agency in 2020.
“It was an incredible privilege to serve as an astronaut of NASA, working with scientists from around the world on advanced research that continues to have a lasting impact here on earth and prepares humanity for a future exploration on the Moon and Mars,” said McArthur. “From the NASA Hubble Spatial Telescope to the International Space Station, our Low Terre Research Laboratory, humanity has developed incredible tools that help us answer important scientific questions, resolve complex engineering challenges and acquire a deeper understanding of our place in the universe. See our beautiful planet of space. Look at our brilliant engineers and scientists from NASA to take up new challenges and pursue other scientific discoveries for everyone. »»
To find out more about NASA astronauts and their contributions to space exploration, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts
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Shanequa Vereen
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
shaneequa.y.vereen@nasa.gov
