Catherine Coleman
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| Catherine Coleman | |
|---|---|
| Name | Catherine Coleman |
| Caption | Official NASA portrait |
| Type | NASA Astronaut |
| Nationality | American |
| Status | Retired |
| Birth name | Catherine Grace Coleman |
| Birth date | 14 December 1960 |
| Birth place | Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS), University of Massachusetts Amherst (PhD) |
| Occupation | Chemist |
| Rank | Colonel, United States Air Force |
| Selection | 1992 NASA Group |
| Time | 180d 04h 00m |
| Mission | STS-73, STS-93, Expedition 26, Expedition 27 |
| Retirement | December 1, 2016 |
Catherine Coleman is an American chemist, retired United States Air Force officer, and former NASA astronaut. A veteran of two Space Shuttle missions and a long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station, she has logged over 180 days in space. Coleman's career combined scientific research with operational spaceflight, contributing to materials science experiments and station operations.
Early life and education
Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Coleman developed an early interest in science. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1983. She then completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1991, conducting research that would later inform her work in microgravity materials science.
NASA career
Selected as a mission specialist as part of NASA Astronaut Group 14 in 1992, Coleman completed her initial training at the Johnson Space Center. Her technical assignments included roles in spacecraft communications, serving as a Cape Canaveral spacecraft communicator, and working in the International Space Station branch on crew systems. She also served as the Chief of Robotics for the Astronaut Office.
Spaceflight experience
Coleman's first spaceflight was aboard STS-73 on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1995, a mission dedicated to the United States Microgravity Laboratory. Her second shuttle mission was STS-93 on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1999, which successfully deployed the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Her final and longest mission was as a flight engineer for Expedition 26 and Expedition 27, launching aboard a Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft in 2010 for a nearly six-month stay on the International Space Station.
Scientific contributions
Aboard the International Space Station, Coleman conducted numerous experiments in the Kibō laboratory and the Destiny module. Her work advanced understanding of fluid physics, crystal growth, and combustion in microgravity. She also participated in biological research, including studies on human physiology for the NASA Human Research Program and plant growth experiments relevant to future lunar and Martian missions.
Personal life
Coleman is married to glass artist Josh Simpson; their home is in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. An accomplished flutist, she performed a duet with members of the band Jethro Tull from the International Space Station in 2011. She retired from NASA and the United States Air Force with the rank of colonel in 2016.
Awards and honors
Her decorations include the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Space Flight Medal (three awards), and the Defense Superior Service Medal. She is also a recipient of the United States Air Force Air Medal and was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has recognized her contributions to space science.
Category:American astronauts Category:NASA astronauts Category:1960 births Category:Living people