Susan J. Helms
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| Susan J. Helms | |
|---|---|
| Name | Susan J. Helms |
| Caption | Helms in NASA portrait |
| Type | NASA Astronaut |
| Status | Retired |
| Nationality | American |
| Birth name | Susan Jane Helms |
| Birth date | 26 February 1958 |
| Birth place | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Alma mater | United States Air Force Academy (BS), Stanford University (MS) |
| Occupation | Test pilot, engineer |
| Rank | Lieutenant General (Ret.), United States Air Force |
| Selection | 1990 NASA Group |
| Time | 211 days 23 hours 14 minutes |
| Mission | STS-54, STS-64, STS-78, STS-101, Expedition 2 |
| Retirement | July 2014 |
Susan J. Helms is a retired United States Air Force officer, engineer, test pilot, and former NASA astronaut. A veteran of five Space Shuttle missions and a long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station, she set a world record for the longest single spacewalk. Following her spaceflight career, Helms served in high-level command positions within the United States Space Command and NORAD.
Early life and education
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Helms graduated from Parkrose High School in Portland, Oregon. She entered the United States Air Force Academy in 1976, becoming a member of the second class to include women, and graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. She subsequently earned a Master of Science degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University in 1985. Her early military assignments included serving as a weapons separation engineer on the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon programs at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
NASA career
Selected by NASA as part of Astronaut Group 13 in 1990, Helms completed her initial training at the Johnson Space Center. She served in various support roles, including as a spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in Mission Control Center for several Space Shuttle flights. Her technical assignments included work on the Space Shuttle's robotic arm, known as the Canadarm, and software development for the International Space Station. Helms was also a member of the astronaut support team at the Kennedy Space Center responsible for Space Shuttle launch preparations.
Spaceflight experience
Helms first flew into space as a mission specialist aboard STS-54 on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in January 1993, a mission that deployed a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite. She served on STS-64 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 1994, which conducted LIDAR experiments. As the payload commander on STS-78, the Life and Microgravity Spacelab mission on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1996, she oversaw a suite of life science experiments. She helped prepare the International Space Station for its first crew during STS-101 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2000.
Her most notable flight was as a member of Expedition 2, launching on STS-102 in March 2001. During her 167-day stay on the International Space Station, she and fellow astronaut James S. Voss performed a record-breaking 8-hour, 56-minute spacewalk to complete assembly tasks on the station's Quest Joint Airlock. This mission also included operations with the Space Shuttle STS-100 and STS-105 crews and extensive scientific research.
Post-NASA career and awards
Returning to the United States Air Force after leaving NASA in 2002, Helms held several key command positions. She served as Director of Plans and Policy at United States Strategic Command and later as Commander of the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base. In 2009, she was promoted to Lieutenant General and served as Vice Commander of United States Space Command and later as Commander of the Joint Functional Component Command for Space at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Her final assignment was as Commander of the 14th Air Force and Commander of Joint Force Space Component Command for NORAD and United States Strategic Command. She retired from active duty in 2014.
Her numerous decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal, and NASA Distinguished Service Medal. She was inducted into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2018.
Personal life
Helms, who is unmarried, enjoys flying, hiking, and reading. She has been an advocate for STEM education and frequently speaks about her experiences in space and leadership in the military. Since retirement, she has served on the board of directors for the Space Foundation and remains involved in aerospace advisory roles.
Category:1958 births Category:American astronauts Category:NASA astronauts Category:United States Air Force generals Category:Living people Category:People from Charlotte, North Carolina Category:Stanford University alumni Category:United States Air Force Academy alumni