Expedition 27 concluded on May 23, 2011, when Catherine Coleman returned to Earth after completing a 159-day tenure aboard the International Space Station. A scientist and military officer, she built a career at the intersection of chemical research and space exploration, transitioning from terrestrial laboratories to orbital operations while serving in the United States Air Force.
Academic and Military Foundation
Born in 1960 in Charleston, Coleman pursued rigorous scientific training. She attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning a Bachelor of Science in chemistry in 1983. During this time, she joined the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. She later completed her doctorate in polymer science and engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1991 under the guidance of Professor Thomas J. McCarthy. Throughout her doctoral studies, she served as a second lieutenant and eventually entered active duty at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1988 as a research chemist. Her military service spanned over two decades, culminating in her retirement as a colonel in November 2009.
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Selected by NASA in 1992, Coleman participated in significant scientific missions. Her first flight, STS-73 in 1995, utilized the Spacelab module to conduct experiments in biotechnology, combustion science, and fluid physics. In 1999, during STS-93, she served as lead mission specialist, managing the deployment of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Beyond shuttle operations, she functioned as Chief of Robotics for the Astronaut Office, overseeing training for the robotic arm systems used on the shuttle and the space station. In 2004, she expanded her operational experience by participating in the NEEMO 7 mission, living and working for eleven days within the Aquarius underwater laboratory.
Long-Duration Exploration
Coleman participated in extended spaceflight during the Expedition 26 and 27 missions. Launching aboard Soyuz TMA-20 on December 15, 2010, she integrated into the International Space Station crew. During this deployment, she maintained an interest in communication and culture, playing multiple flutes from orbit and conducting a duet with musician Ian Anderson to mark the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s flight. She remained active in the scientific community after retiring from NASA on December 1, 2016, engaging in guest speaking and educational outreach programs like Saturday Morning Science at the Baylor College of Medicine.
Fast facts
- Born: 1960, Charleston
- Education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology; University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Military Rank: Colonel, United States Air Force
- Space Missions: STS-73, STS-93, Expedition 26/27
- NASA Selection: 1992
- Total Space Duration: 159 days (Expedition 27)
- Amateur Radio Callsign: KC5ZTH
Questions readers ask
What was the focus of her scientific research?
Her expertise centered on polymer science and engineering, which she applied during her time as a research chemist and as a surface analysis consultant for NASA.
Did she participate in missions beyond orbital flight?
Yes, she served as an aquanaut during the NEEMO 7 mission, which involved living and working in the Aquarius underwater laboratory for eleven days.
Achievements
- Educated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Carter G. Woodson High School
- Worked as chemist, air force officer and astronaut
