Clayton Anderson
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| Clayton Anderson | |
|---|---|
| Name | Clayton Anderson |
| Caption | NASA portrait |
| Type | NASA Astronaut |
| Nationality | American |
| Status | Retired |
| Birth name | Clayton Conrad Anderson |
| Birth date | 23 February 1959 |
| Birth place | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Hastings College (BS), Iowa State University (MS) |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Selection | 1998 NASA Group |
| Time | 149 days, 13 hours, 12 minutes |
| Mission | STS-117, Expedition 15, Expedition 16, STS-120, STS-131 |
| Retirement | January 31, 2013 |
Clayton Anderson is a retired NASA astronaut and engineer. Selected as a mission specialist in 1998, he is best known for his long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station as a flight engineer for Expedition 15 and Expedition 16. Anderson later flew on two additional Space Shuttle missions, contributing to the assembly and resupply of the orbiting laboratory.
Early life and education
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, he was raised in Ashland, Nebraska. He developed an early interest in spaceflight, inspired by the Apollo program. Anderson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Hastings College in 1981. He then pursued a Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University, which he completed in 1983. Prior to joining NASA, he worked as a engineer at the Johnson Space Center for the space agency's contractor, Lockheed Martin.
NASA career
Selected as an astronaut candidate in 1998, he completed two years of training and evaluation. His initial technical assignments included supporting Space Shuttle missions at the Kennedy Space Center and serving in the Astronaut Office Space Station Operations Branch. He also worked in the Mission Control Center as a spacecraft communicator, or CAPCOM, for several Space Shuttle and International Space Station expeditions. Anderson was deeply involved in the development of procedures for spacewalks and robotic operations using the Canadarm2.
Spaceflight experience
His first spaceflight was aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-117 in June 2007, which delivered him to the International Space Station. He remained on the station as a member of Expedition 15, later transitioning to Expedition 16. During his nearly five-month stay, he conducted numerous scientific experiments, performed maintenance, and completed three spacewalks. He returned to Earth aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-120 in November 2007. His final mission was aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-131 in April 2010, a complex logistics flight that delivered a multi-purpose module to the station.
Post-NASA career
He retired from NASA in January 2013. Following his astronaut career, he served as the Director of the Strategic Partnerships office at the University of Nebraska system. Anderson is also a sought-after public speaker and author, having written a memoir titled *The Ordinary Spaceman*. He has been an advocate for STEM education, frequently giving talks at schools and universities. He has also served as a consultant for aerospace projects and media productions related to human spaceflight.
Personal life
He is married and has two children. An avid runner, he has completed multiple Boston Marathon races. Anderson is also a musician and plays the saxophone. He remains active in the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and other organizations that promote science and exploration. His awards include the NASA Space Flight Medal and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.
Category:American astronauts Category:NASA astronauts Category:International Space Station personnel Category:People from Omaha, Nebraska