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| Eric A. Boe | |
|---|---|
| Name | Eric A. Boe |
| Birth date | July 28, 1964 |
| Birth place | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation | Test pilot, United States Air Force officer, NASA astronaut |
| Rank | Colonel, United States Air Force |
| Selection | NASA Group 19 |
| Missions | STS-126, STS-133 |
Eric A. Boe is a retired United States Air Force Colonel (United States) and former NASA astronaut. A native of Miami, Florida, he served as a United States Air Force Test Pilot School graduate, operational fighter pilot, and NASA pilot on two Space Shuttle missions. His career spans assignments with units associated with Air Combat Command, Vandenberg Air Force Base, and Johnson Space Center.
Boe was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Cary, North Carolina, attending Iredell-Statesville Schools before graduating from Apex High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from California Institute of Technology. During his education he engaged with programs linked to Air Force ROTC, Air University, and academic partnerships with NASA research centers.
Boe served as a fighter pilot flying aircraft such as the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon with assignments at bases associated with Air Combat Command and training at the United States Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base. He deployed in support of operations tied to Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and participated in exercises with units from NATO and the Pacific Air Forces. As a test pilot he worked on flight test programs involving aircraft from manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and Boeing, conducting sorties over ranges managed by Air Force Materiel Command and collaborating with personnel from NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.
Selected in NASA Group 19 as an astronaut candidate, Boe completed astronaut training at Johnson Space Center and was assigned technical duties supporting Space Shuttle mission planning, crew systems, and training with the Mission Control Center teams. He served in roles interfacing with the International Space Station program, participating in planning with international partners such as Roscosmos, European Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Canadian Space Agency. Later he contributed to programs coordinating between Orbital Sciences Corporation, SpaceX, and traditional aerospace contractors during transition phases of the Human Spaceflight Program.
Boe flew as a pilot on two Space Shuttle missions. He served as pilot on STS-126 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, a logistics and assembly flight to the International Space Station focused on hardware delivered to truss and habitation modules. He later flew as pilot on STS-133 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery, which delivered components to station elements including payloads associated with NASA Glenn Research Center and European Space Agency experiments. These missions coordinated with station program activities involving modules such as the Harmony (Node 2), Kibo, and the Destiny (ISS module) laboratory, and engaged with crews trained at Johnson Space Center and supported by Mission Control Center operations.
During his United States Air Force service and NASA tenure, Boe received decorations and recognitions including the Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and honors from organizations such as the National Aeronautic Association and Society of Experimental Test Pilots. His achievements were recognized by institutions including the United States Air Force Academy and professional societies connected to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Boe is married and has family ties to communities in Texas and North Carolina. Outside his professional duties he has participated in outreach with organizations like Boy Scouts of America, university aerospace programs at institutions such as Purdue University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and public engagement events at venues including Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Category:American astronauts Category:United States Air Force officers Category:1964 births Category:Living people