Kathryn P. Hire

Kathryn P. Hire is a retired United States Navy captain, NASA astronaut, and accomplished engineer. She was selected for the NASA Astronaut Corps in 1994 and flew on two Space Shuttle missions, contributing to significant scientific research and International Space Station assembly. Hire's career is distinguished by her pioneering roles in naval aviation and space exploration, making her one of the first women to serve in several key military and aerospace positions.

Early life and education

Born in Mobile, Alabama, Hire developed an early interest in aviation and space. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and Management from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, becoming a member of one of the first classes to include women. She furthered her education with a Master of Science degree in Space Technology from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida. Her academic foundation was complemented by her commission as an officer in the United States Navy, where she began her distinguished service.

NASA career

Selected by NASA as part of NASA Astronaut Group 15 in 1994, Hire underwent extensive training at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Her technical assignments included roles in Space Shuttle and International Space Station operations, where she served as a spacecraft communicator, or CAPCOM, in Mission Control. She also contributed to the development of hardware and procedures for the Space Station Robotic Arm. Her expertise in Flight test engineering and systems management proved invaluable during her tenure supporting numerous Space Shuttle program missions leading up to her own flights.

Spaceflight experience

Hire's first spaceflight was as a Mission specialist on STS-90 aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1998. This mission, named the Neurolab mission, was dedicated to neuroscience research in microgravity, conducting experiments sponsored by NASA and several international space agencies. Her second and final flight was on STS-130 in 2010 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, a crucial assembly mission to the International Space Station. During this flight, the crew delivered and installed the Tranquility module and the Cupola observatory, significantly expanding the station's capabilities.

Post-NASA career and awards

Following her retirement from NASA and the United States Navy with the rank of Captain, Hire continued to work in the aerospace sector. She held leadership positions with Jacobs Engineering Group and served on the board of directors for the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Her numerous accolades include the NASA Space Flight Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. She has been inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame and the United States Naval Academy's Hall of Fame, recognizing her contributions to both military service and space exploration.

Personal life

An avid supporter of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, Hire frequently speaks to students and professional groups. She maintains strong ties to her home state of Alabama and is involved with organizations like the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Her career has inspired many, particularly in demonstrating the expanded roles for women in the United States Armed Forces and the NASA Astronaut Corps.

Category:American astronauts Category:NASA astronauts Category:United States Naval Academy alumni Category:People from Mobile, Alabama