The pilot seat of the Space Shuttle Columbia was occupied by Duane G. Carey on March 1, 2002, during a mission dedicated to servicing the Hubble Space Telescope. This flight, designated STS-109, marked the pinnacle of a long career involving tactical aviation and aerospace engineering, cementing his transition from a military test pilot to a specialized member of the NASA flight corps.
Early Education and Military Foundations
Born in Saint Paul in 1957, Carey attended Highland Park High School before enrolling at the University of Minnesota. He secured a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics in 1981, followed by a Master of Science in the same field in 1982. He gained his military commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1981 and completed Undergraduate Pilot Training by 1983.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Tactical Flight Experience
Carey conducted early operational tours flying the A-10A Thunderbolt II at England Air Force Base and Suwon Air Base in the Republic of Korea. In 1988, he transitioned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, eventually serving at Torrejon Air Base in Spain. By 1991, his performance led to his selection for the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base. Upon graduating in 1992, he served as an experimental test pilot and System Safety Officer, eventually accumulating over 4,300 flight hours across more than 35 different aircraft types.
NASA Service and STS-109
Selected as an astronaut candidate in April 1996, Carey reported to the Johnson Space Center that August. After two years of training, he qualified for flight assignments. During the 2002 STS-109 mission, he piloted the shuttle for over 262 hours, during which the crew completed 165 orbits of Earth and traveled 3.9 million miles. The team executed five days of extravehicular activity to install a new camera, solar arrays, and power unit onto the Hubble Space Telescope. Carey supported these operations by documenting the spacewalks with video and still photography. He left NASA in October 2004.
Fast facts
- Born: 1957, Saint Paul
- Military Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Education: University of Minnesota
- Flight Hours: Over 4,300
- Shuttle Mission: STS-109
- Space Time: Over 262 hours
- NASA Retirement: October 2004
- Notable Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross
Questions readers ask
What was Carey's primary role on the STS-109 mission?
He served as the pilot of the Space Shuttle Columbia.
What major military aircraft did Carey fly?
He flew the A-10A Thunderbolt II and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at University of Minnesota, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and Highland Park High School
- Worked as air force officer and astronaut
