Daniel C. Burbank serves as a Captain in the United States Coast Guard and holds the distinction of being the second Coast Guard astronaut in history. His career bridges military aviation and deep-space operations, including significant periods managing technical infrastructure aboard the International Space Station and contributing to the assembly of critical solar array components in orbit.
Military Foundation and Early Aviation
Born in 1961 in Manchester, Connecticut, Burbank attended Tolland High School and completed his freshman year at Fairfield University before moving to the United States Coast Guard Academy. After earning his commission in 1985, he completed flight training in 1987. His military service included roles as an instructor pilot stationed at Coast Guard air facilities in Elizabeth City, Cape Cod, and Sitka. He furthered his technical credentials with a master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
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Selected by NASA in April 1996, Burbank joined the Johnson Space Center later that year. His early assignments involved operational planning for the International Space Station and serving as a spacecraft communicator. He participated in two Space Shuttle missions, STS-106 and STS-115, logging over 23 days in space. During STS-115 in 2006, he conducted a seven-hour extravehicular activity to install the P3/P4 truss, which provided essential electrical power via new solar arrays.
Expedition Leadership and Academic Contributions
Burbank commanded Expedition 30, having arrived at the International Space Station in November 2011 alongside Anton Shkaplerov and Anatoli Ivanishin. His tenure included a significant duration in space, culminating in his return to Earth in April 2012. Between 2007 and 2009, he served as a professor of engineering at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. After retiring from NASA in 2018, he returned to the Academy in 2022 to work as a Professor of Practice in mechanical engineering.
Fast facts
- Born: 1961, Manchester, United States
- Education: United States Coast Guard Academy, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University
- Space Missions: STS-106, STS-115
- ISS Command: Expedition 30
- NASA Retirement: June 2018
- Awards: NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Air Medal
Questions readers ask
What is Burbank's educational background?
He attended Tolland High School and Fairfield University before graduating from the United States Coast Guard Academy and earning a master's degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Which Space Shuttle missions did he fly?
He served as a mission specialist on STS-106 and STS-115.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, United States Coast Guard Academy and Tolland High School
- Worked as astronaut, military officer and engineer
