October 1, 1985, marked the birth of Deniz Melissa Burnham at Incirlik Air Base in Adana, Turkey. A dual citizen of the United States and Turkey, she navigated a path from childhoods spent moving between military installations to a career as a United States Navy Reserve officer and NASA astronaut, culminating in her selection for long-duration space flight assignments.
Academic and Technical Background
Burnham attended Vanden High School in Fairfield, California, before pursuing higher education in engineering. She earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of California, San Diego, in 2007. Later, she obtained a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Southern California in 2017. During her graduate studies, she gained initial exposure to the space industry through an internship at the NASA Ames Research Center. Beyond her engineering degrees, she holds a private pilot license along with helicopter and instrument ratings.
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Before transitioning into full-time space exploration, Burnham spent more than a decade managing offshore oil drilling operations across the United States and Canada. She resided in Wasilla, Alaska, during this period of her career. Her commitment to military service continued through the United States Navy Reserve, where she serves as the executive officer of a shipyard operations unit based in Alameda, California.
NASA Astronaut Selection
On December 6, 2021, NASA identified Burnham as one of ten individuals selected for the Astronaut Group 23. This selection initiated a rigorous training program starting in January 2022. Along with cohort members Anil Menon and Marcos Berrios, she completed this training curriculum on March 5, 2024, qualifying for future mission assignments.
Expedition 75/76 and Spaceflight
Burnham serves as a designated crew member for upcoming International Space Station missions. In July 2026, NASA announced her assignment as a flight engineer for Expedition 75/76. She is scheduled to launch in March 2027 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard the Soyuz MS-30 spacecraft, working alongside cosmonauts Dmitry Petelin and Konstantin Borisov. During this planned seven-month mission, she will execute scientific investigations and technology demonstrations focused on supporting future exploration of the Moon and Mars. Prior to this, she was named as backup crew for the Soyuz MS-29 mission.
Fast facts
- Born: October 1, 1985, Adana, Turkey
- Citizenship: United States, Turkey
- Education: University of California, San Diego; University of Southern California
- Military Rank: Lieutenant, United States Navy Reserve
- Astronaut Group: NASA Astronaut Group 23
- Spacecraft Assignment: Soyuz MS-30
- Mission Duration: Approximately seven months
- Prior Occupation: Offshore drilling engineer
Questions readers ask
What is Deniz Burnham's role on the International Space Station?
She is a flight engineer for Expedition 75/76, focusing on scientific investigations and technology demonstrations.
When is her first scheduled spaceflight?
She is targeted for launch in March 2027 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
Achievements
- Affiliated with United States Navy
- Educated at University of California, San Diego, University of Southern California and Vanden High School
- Worked as astronaut
