Over 12.1 million miles were logged by Brent W. Jett across four space missions during his career as a NASA astronaut. A veteran of the Space Shuttle program, he served as a pilot on two flights before transitioning to command roles, ultimately accumulating over 41 days in space throughout his time with the agency.
Military Aviation and Test Pilot Career
Born in 1958 in Pontiac, Michigan, Jett graduated first in his class of 976 students at the United States Naval Academy in 1981. After earning his designation as a Naval Aviator in 1983, he trained at VF-101 and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean aboard the USS Saratoga. His technical expertise grew through attendance at the Navy Fighter Weapons School and the United States Naval Test Pilot School. By the early 1990s, he operated as a project test pilot, evaluating diverse aircraft including the F-14 Tomcat and A-7E, eventually recording over 5,000 flight hours and 450 carrier landings.
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Selected by NASA in 1992, Jett reported to the Johnson Space Center for technical assignments. His flight experience began as pilot of STS-72 in 1996 and STS-81 in 1997. He later served as commander of STS-97 in 2000 and the STS-115 mission in 2006. Between 1997 and 1998, he managed NASA operations at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Following his final flight, he held administrative roles, including Director of Flight Crew Operations and Deputy Manager for the Commercial Crew Program, before retiring from NASA in 2013.
Mission Objectives and Technical Contributions
Jett’s missions were critical to the development of the International Space Station. During STS-72, he participated in assembly technique testing, while STS-81 facilitated vital logistics exchanges with the Russian Mir space station. His command missions focused on heavy hardware installation; STS-97 delivered solar arrays and cooling radiators, and STS-115 provided the P3/P4 truss structure to the orbital laboratory. These contributions were recognized with various honors, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Fast facts
- Born: 1958, Pontiac, Michigan
- Education: United States Naval Academy, 1981
- Flight Hours: Over 5,000
- Carrier Landings: Over 450
- Space Missions: STS-72, STS-81, STS-97, STS-115
- Time in Space: 41 days, 18 hours, 1 minute
- NASA Retirement: January 2013
- Military Rank: Captain, USN
Questions readers ask
What was the focus of Jett's final space mission?
STS-115 involved the delivery and installation of the P3/P4 truss structure and a solar array to the International Space Station.
Did Jett work with international space agencies?
Yes, he served as NASA Director of Operations at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia from 1997 to 1998.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at United States Naval Academy, Naval Postgraduate School and United States Naval Test Pilot School
- Worked as military officer, astronaut and aircraft pilot
