March 24, 1951, marked the arrival of Kenneth S. Reightler Jr. at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Over a career spanning military aviation, orbital spaceflight, and corporate leadership, he transitioned from flight testing experimental aircraft to directing complex engineering operations, eventually returning to the United States Naval Academy to instruct the next generation of aerospace professionals.
Military Aviation and Test Flight
After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1973, Reightler received his designation as a Naval Aviator at Corpus Christi, Texas. His early deployments included missions in Iceland and Sicily as part of Patrol Squadron 16. In 1978, he began a tenure as a test pilot at the Naval Air Test Center, evaluating the capabilities of P-3, S-3, and T-39 aircraft. Following service aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, he returned to the Test Pilot School as chief flight instructor, building a foundation of over 5,000 hours in 60 different aircraft types.
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Selected for the astronaut program in 1987, Reightler served as pilot on two Space Shuttle missions. During STS-48 in 1991, he assisted in the deployment of the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, contributing to the Mission to Planet Earth project. In 1994, he served as pilot on STS-60, which involved the first joint United States and Russian mission, utilizing both the Wake Shield Facility and SpaceHab-2. His technical roles at NASA included lead spacecraft communicator and Chief of the Astronaut Office Space Station Branch.
Corporate and Academic Tenure
Upon retiring from the Navy as a captain in 1995, Reightler joined Lockheed Martin, where he managed significant engineering contracts for the Johnson Space Center. He eventually became president of Lockheed Martin Space Operations, playing a central role in securing the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle contract. In 2011, he moved to ATK Space Systems before accepting a position at the United States Naval Academy in 2012, where he currently holds the Tig H. Krekel, Class of '75, Distinguished Chair in Space Science.
Fast facts
- Born: March 24, 1951, Patuxent River, Maryland
- Education: United States Naval Academy, 1973
- Military Rank: Captain, United States Navy
- NASA Selection: June 1987
- Space Missions: STS-48, STS-60
- Total Space Flight Time: Over 327 hours
- Awards: Eagle Scout, Legionnaire of Legion of Merit
- Current Position: Distinguished Chair in Space Science, U.S. Naval Academy
Questions readers ask
What was the objective of the STS-48 mission?
The mission supported the Mission to Planet Earth program and focused on deploying the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite to collect data on atmospheric chemistry.
What role did Reightler play in the STS-60 mission?
He served as the pilot for the first joint United States and Russian Space Shuttle mission, which lasted eight days.
Achievements
- Legionnaire of Legion of Merit
- Eagle Scout
- Recorded as military officer and astronaut
