Space Shuttle Discovery’s final mission, STS-133, carried Benjamin Alvin Drew Jr. into orbit as a mission specialist in February 2011. This flight marked the second of his two space journeys, cementing his role in American aerospace history as the final African American astronaut to serve aboard the historic Space Shuttle program before its eventual retirement.
Early Aspirations and Military Foundation
Born in Washington, D.C., in 1962, Drew spent his formative years in Lanham, Maryland, and Brookland. His interest in flight began early, solidified after watching the 1968 Apollo 7 launch on television. Following his graduation from Gonzaga College High School in 1980, he entered the United States Air Force Academy. He earned a dual B.S. degree in physics and astronautical engineering in 1984. He later obtained a master's degree in aerospace science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a master's in political science from the Air War College.
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Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1984, Drew completed helicopter pilot training at Fort Rucker in 1985. His initial military duties involved flying combat rescue missions in the HH-3E. He later piloted the MH-60G for the Air Force Special Operations Command, participating in operations Just Cause, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Provide Comfort. After qualifying as a fixed-wing pilot in 1993, he graduated from the United States Naval Test Pilot School in 1994. Throughout his 25-year military tenure, which concluded with his retirement in 2010, he commanded two flight test units and logged over 4,000 flight hours across 30 different aircraft types.
Space Shuttle Missions and Operations
Selected for NASA's Astronaut Group 18 in July 2000, Drew began formal training the following month. His debut mission, STS-118 in 2007, marked the first time a member of his astronaut class traveled to space. He later served as the director of operations at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonauts Training Center in Star City, Russia, for nearly a year. In 2011, during STS-133, he conducted two spacewalks, becoming the 200th person to perform an extravehicular activity in space on February 28.
Policy and Sustainability Roles
Beyond his flight experience, Drew has contributed to federal policy and technical management. He served as the assistant director for Aviation and Space Security in the Office of Science and Technology Policy from 2015 to 2016. He was also a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors from 2016 to 2020. Since late 2024, he has served as NASA's inaugural director for space sustainability, while simultaneously acting as the director of Cross-Directorate Technical Integration for the agency’s Space Operations Mission Directorate.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Washington, D.C.
- Education: United States Air Force Academy, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University
- Spaceflights: STS-118, STS-133
- Military Retirement: September 2010
- Spacewalk Milestone: 200th person to walk in space
- Professional Membership: Society of Experimental Test Pilots
- Aerospace Advocacy: Co-founder, Patti Grace Smith Fellowship
- Current Role: NASA Director for Space Sustainability
Questions readers ask
How many total hours did Alvin Drew log in space?
Between his two missions, STS-118 and STS-133, he logged more than 612 hours in space.
What is his current involvement with NASA?
He serves as the director of space sustainability and acting director of Cross-Directorate Technical Integration for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate.
Achievements
- Educated at United States Air Force Academy and Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University
- Worked as military officer and astronaut
