Ronald M. Sega

Ronald M. Sega is an American engineer, academic administrator, and former NASA astronaut. A veteran of two Space Shuttle missions, he later held prominent leadership roles within the United States Department of Defense and academia. Following his government service, Sega served as a professor and held executive positions within the Colorado State University System and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Early life and education

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Sega graduated from Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and mathematics from the United States Air Force Academy in 1974. He then earned a Master of Science degree in physics from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1975. After serving as an instructor at the United States Air Force Academy, he returned to the University of Colorado Boulder, completing a Doctor of Philosophy in electrical engineering in 1982. His early career included research roles at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory and teaching positions at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

NASA career

Selected by NASA in 1990, Sega became an astronaut in 1991. His technical assignments included work in the Space Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory and supporting roles for Space Shuttle *Endeavour*. He served as a mission specialist on two flights. His first mission was STS-60 in 1994 aboard Space Shuttle *Discovery*, the first joint NASA-Russian mission featuring the Wake Shield Facility experiment. His second flight was STS-76 in 1996 aboard Space Shuttle *Atlantis*, which docked with the *Mir* space station and delivered supplies. He logged over 17 days in space.

Post-NASA career and academia

After leaving NASA in 1996, Sega returned to the United States Air Force, where he rose to the rank of major general. He served as the Director of Defense Research and Engineering within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, overseeing the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and other research entities. He later became the first Under Secretary of the Air Force for a unified period, managing the Air Force and Space Force research portfolios. Following his military retirement, he entered academia, serving as Vice President for Energy and the Environment at the Colorado State University System and as a professor of electrical engineering. He was appointed as the interim chancellor, and later the permanent chancellor, of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Awards and honors

Sega's decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the NASA Space Flight Medal, which he received twice. He is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. His academic honors include distinguished alumni awards from the United States Air Force Academy and the University of Colorado Boulder.

Personal life

Sega is married and has children. His interests include flying, having maintained his status as a command pilot in the United States Air Force, and outdoor activities. He remains active in professional societies related to aerospace engineering and higher education administration.

Category:American astronauts Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:University of Colorado Boulder alumni Category:United States Air Force Academy alumni