Gregory Chamitoff launched his career as a mission specialist on STS-124, marking the beginning of a six-month tenure on the International Space Station. His technical background as an engineer, cultivated through rigorous academic training at MIT and Caltech, provided the necessary foundation for managing complex aerospace systems and performing critical spacewalks during his tenure with NASA.
Academic and Early Engineering Career
Born in 1962 in Montreal, Chamitoff pursued extensive education in engineering, earning a B.S. from California Polytechnic State University, an M.S. from the California Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During his early years, he interned at companies including Atari and IBM. At Draper Labs, he contributed to stability analyses for the Hubble Space Telescope and designed autopilot upgrades for the Space Shuttle. He later served as a visiting professor at the University of Sydney, conducting research on autonomous flight vehicles.
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Joining the Johnson Space Center in 1995, he developed software for spacecraft attitude control. Selected as an astronaut in 1998, he qualified as a mission specialist by 2000. During his 2008 mission, he served as a flight engineer and science officer for Expeditions 17 and 18. In 2011, he participated in STS-134, the final flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, where he executed two spacewalks to finalize construction on the US Orbital Segment.
Post-NASA Contributions
Following his time with NASA, Chamitoff transitioned to academia, becoming a professor of Engineering Practice in the Aerospace Engineering Department at Texas A&M University. He continues to instruct students on human spaceflight operations and aerospace vehicle dynamics. His career has been marked by numerous accolades, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the Great Immigrants Award, and recognition as an Eagle Scout.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Montreal
- Education: Cal Poly, Caltech, MIT, University of Houston–Clear Lake
- NASA Career Start: 1995
- Space Shuttle Missions: STS-124, STS-126, STS-134
- Awards: NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Great Immigrants Award
- Current Position: Professor, Texas A&M University
Questions readers ask
What major roles did Chamitoff hold at NASA?
He worked in the Motion Control Systems Group, served as a mission specialist on multiple flights, and was a crew member for the NEEMO 3 undersea research mission.
What is his current occupation?
He is a professor of Engineering Practice at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at California Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Polytechnic State University
- Worked as astronaut and engineer
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