Christopher Cassidy began his career in the United States military, graduating from BUD/S class 192 as an honor man before completing four six-month deployments. After transitioning to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, he participated in multiple spaceflight missions, culminating in his command of the International Space Station during Expedition 63 in 2020.
Military Service and Special Operations
Before joining NASA, Cassidy served for ten years as a Navy SEAL. His military background included operations in Afghanistan and the Mediterranean Sea, where he served as a Ground Assault Force Commander. He gained extensive experience in combat diving, underwater explosives, and navigation as a SEAL Delivery Vehicle platoon commander. His contributions during Operation Enduring Freedom earned him a Bronze Star Medal with V device for leading a mission at the Zhawar Kili cave complex.
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Selected by NASA in May 2004, Cassidy completed his candidate training in February 2006. This instruction covered technical briefings for Space Shuttle and International Space Station systems alongside T-38 Talon flight training. His first mission, STS-127, launched on July 15, 2009, aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. During this deployment, he conducted three spacewalks to install the Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility and replace batteries on the P6 Truss.
Expedition Operations and Station Leadership
Cassidy served as a flight engineer during Expedition 35, launching on Soyuz TMA-08M in March 2013. During this period, he performed unplanned spacewalks to address coolant leaks. In 2020, he returned to the station as part of Expedition 62, subsequently serving as the commander for Expedition 63. His mission concluded with a landing in Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on October 21, 2020.
Administrative and Post-NASA Roles
From July 2015 to June 2017, Cassidy held the position of 15th Chief of the Astronaut Office. Following his retirement from the Navy and the NASA Astronaut Corps in 2021, he became the President and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. He also serves on the boards of the Navy SEAL Foundation and the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, while advising the New Vista Acquisition Corp.
Fast facts
- Born: 1970, Salem, United States
- Military Rank: Lieutenant commander
- Education: United States Naval Academy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- NASA Mission Assignments: STS-127, Expedition 35, Expedition 36, Expedition 62, Expedition 63
- Chief of the Astronaut Office: 2015-2017
- Awards: NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Space Flight Medal, Bronze Star Medal
Questions readers ask
What missions did Christopher Cassidy command?
He served as the ISS commander for Expedition 63 in 2020.
What is his professional background outside of NASA?
He is a former Navy SEAL who achieved the rank of captain in the U.S. Navy and served in various operational and leadership roles, including SEAL Delivery Vehicle platoon commander.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States Naval Academy and York High School
- Worked as astronaut
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