Harvey Smyth

Harvey Smyth
Name	Harvey Smyth
Type	NASA astronaut
Nationality	American
Status	Retired
Occupation	Test pilot, aerospace executive
Rank	Colonel, United States Air Force
Selection	NASA Group 20 (2009)
Time	~165 days
Mission	Soyuz MS-15, Expedition 61, Expedition 62

Harvey Smyth is a retired United States Air Force officer, NASA astronaut, and aerospace executive. Selected as part of NASA Astronaut Group 20 in 2009, he served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 61 and Expedition 62. Following his spaceflight career, he assumed senior leadership roles within the United States Department of Defense and the private sector.

Early life and education

Harvey Smyth was born in Charleston, South Carolina, and developed an early interest in aviation. He attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in astronautical engineering. He furthered his education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning a Master of Science in aeronautics and astronautics. His academic work focused on guidance and control systems for aerospace vehicles, laying a foundation for his future career as a test pilot and astronaut.

Military career

Commissioned through the United States Air Force Academy, Smyth completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was selected to fly the F-15E Strike Eagle. He served multiple operational tours, including combat deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his operational assignments, he attended the United States Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California. As a test pilot, he conducted critical flight tests on the F-35 Lightning II program and other advanced aircraft, logging over 2,500 flight hours in more than 40 different aircraft types.

Spaceflight experience

Selected by NASA in 2009, Smyth completed astronaut candidate training, which included intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalk procedures, Russian language, and Soyuz spacecraft operations. In 2019, he launched aboard the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Serving as a flight engineer for Expedition 61 and Expedition 62, he spent approximately 165 days aboard the International Space Station. His duties included conducting hundreds of scientific experiments in disciplines such as materials science and human research, performing station maintenance, and operating the Canadarm2 robotic arm.

Post-NASA career

After retiring from NASA and the United States Air Force, Smyth transitioned to the United States Department of Defense. He served as Deputy Director of the Space Development Agency, where he helped oversee the development of next-generation space architectures. He later joined the private sector as a Vice President for Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin Space, focusing on national security space initiatives and lunar exploration projects like the Lunar Gateway. He also serves on the board of advisors for the Space Foundation and contributes to STEM outreach programs.

Personal life

Harvey Smyth is married and has two children. His personal interests include flying vintage aircraft, marathon running, and woodworking. He is an active supporter of the Air Force Aid Society and the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, frequently participating in public speaking engagements to promote science and engineering education.

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, Smyth has received numerous decorations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. For his spaceflight service, he was awarded the NASA Space Flight Medal. He is also a recipient of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots' Iven C. Kincheloe Award and has been inducted as a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Category:American astronauts Category:United States Air Force officers Category:NASA astronauts Category:Test pilots Category:People from Charleston, South Carolina