Alan G. Poindexter served as a captain in the United States Navy and a pilot for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Selected for the astronaut program in 1998, he participated in two Space Shuttle missions before transitioning to a leadership role at the Naval Postgraduate School. His career spanned decades of military flight operations and orbital research.
Early Education and Naval Commissions
Born in Pasadena in 1961, Poindexter graduated from Coronado High School in 1979. He earned an associate degree from Pensacola Junior College in 1983 before attending the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he received a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 1986. Following his graduation, he was commissioned into the United States Navy. He completed flight training in Pensacola and became a Naval Aviator in 1988. He transitioned to the F-14 Tomcat and completed two deployments to the Persian Gulf, including participation in Operation Southern Watch.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Test Pilot and NASA Career
Poindexter attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and graduated in 1995 with a Master of Science in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. As a test pilot at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, he served as the lead pilot for the F-14 Digital Flight Control System. In June 1998, NASA selected him for the G17 astronaut group. Over his career, he logged more than 4,000 flight hours across 30 aircraft types and completed over 450 carrier landings.
Spaceflight Missions
Poindexter served as a pilot on STS-122 in February 2008, which utilized the Atlantis shuttle to deliver the Columbus Laboratory to the International Space Station. In April 2010, he commanded STS-131 aboard Discovery, a resupply mission that transported over 13,000 pounds of hardware and supplies to the station. He also served as a CAPCOM for both the STS-125 mission to the Hubble Space Telescope and the STS-127 mission.
Post-NASA Service and Death
After retiring from the NASA Astronaut Corps in 2010, Poindexter returned to the U.S. Navy. He served as dean of students and executive director of programs at the Naval Postgraduate School. On July 1, 2012, Poindexter died in Pensacola, Florida, following a water scooter accident in Little Sabine Bay. He was posthumously recognized for his service, which included the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Fast facts
- Born: 1961, Pasadena
- Died: 2012, Pensacola
- Education: Georgia Tech, Naval Postgraduate School
- Military Rank: Captain
- Space Missions: STS-122, STS-131
- Notable Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit
Questions readers ask
Which Space Shuttle missions did Alan G. Poindexter fly?
He flew as a pilot on STS-122 in 2008 and as the commander of STS-131 in 2010.
What was his role after retiring from NASA?
He returned to the U.S. Navy to serve as the dean of students and executive director of programs at the Naval Postgraduate School.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Naval Postgraduate School
- Educated at Georgia Tech, Naval Postgraduate School and United States Naval Test Pilot School
- Worked as military officer, astronaut and aircraft pilot
