Charles J. Precourt logged over 932 hours in space across four shuttle missions, serving as a pivotal figure in the collaboration between the United States and Russia. His career transitioned from operational military aviation to high-level management within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, where he eventually oversaw the preparation of all Space Shuttle and International Space Station flight crews.
Military Training and Early Flight
Born in 1955 in Waltham, Massachusetts, Precourt graduated from Hudson High School before attending the United States Air Force Academy. He earned a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering in 1977, supplementing his studies with an exchange program at the French Air Force Academy in 1976. By 1978, he completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese Air Force Base. His early military career involved instructing in T-37 aircraft and maintenance testing for the T-37 and T-38. He later flew F-15 Eagle aircraft at Bitburg Air Base in Germany from 1982 to 1984.
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Precourt attended the United States Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in 1985. Upon graduation, he served as a test pilot, accumulating flight experience in several aircraft including the F-15E, F-4 Phantom II, A-7 Corsair II, and A-37 Dragonfly. By the end of his active flying career, he had logged over 7,500 hours across more than 60 types of civil and military aircraft. He retired from the Air Force on March 31, 2000, holding the rank of colonel.
Space Shuttle Missions
Selected by NASA in 1990, Precourt became an astronaut in 1991. He served as a mission specialist on STS-55, a German-sponsored Spacelab D-2 mission launched in April 1993. As a pilot on STS-71, he participated in the first Space Shuttle docking with the Russian Mir space station. He subsequently commanded two missions, STS-84 and STS-91, the latter marking the final scheduled Shuttle-Mir docking mission and concluding the Phase I joint program.
NASA Leadership and Post-Flight Career
Beyond his flight duties, Precourt served as the director of operations at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia from 1995 to 1996. He acted as the Chief of the Astronaut Office from 1998 to 2002, managing crew preparations. Following this, he served as deputy manager for the International Space Station until his retirement from NASA in 2004. He later became a vice president at Orbital ATK in Utah.
Fast facts
- Born: 1955, Waltham, Massachusetts
- Military Rank: Colonel
- NASA Career: 1990–2004
- Chief of the Astronaut Office: 1998–2002
- Total Space Flight Time: Over 932 hours
- Inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame: 2012
Questions readers ask
What was Precourt's role in the Shuttle-Mir program?
He served as a pilot and commander on missions involving docking with Mir, and acted as director of operations at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.
What academic degrees does Charles Precourt hold?
He holds a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering, a Master of Science in engineering management, and a Master of Arts in national security affairs and strategic studies.
Achievements
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Legionnaire of Legion of Merit
- United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- Recorded as military officer, astronaut and aircraft pilot
