Kjell Lindgren launched to the International Space Station on July 22, 2015, aboard the Soyuz TMA-17M spacecraft to begin his tenure as a flight engineer during Expedition 44 and 45. His mission involved critical maintenance of station infrastructure and established a unique cultural milestone when he performed on the Great Highland bagpipes while in orbit.
Early Life and Academic Preparation
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1973, Lindgren spent much of his youth in England before moving to the United States to complete his secondary schooling at James W. Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia. He pursued a rigorous multidisciplinary education, earning a Bachelor of Science in biology from the United States Air Force Academy in 1995. His academic background expanded into physiology and medicine, with a Master of Science in cardiovascular physiology from Colorado State University in 1996 and a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Colorado in 2002. He later earned a Master of Health Informatics from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Public Health from the University of Texas Medical Branch.
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Lindgren joined NASA in 2007 at the Johnson Space Center. His initial contributions included supporting station training operations in Star City, Russia, and serving as deputy crew surgeon. In June 2009, he was selected for NASA Astronaut Group 20. Over the following years, his training encompassed T-38 flight operations, survival techniques, and extravehicular activity. Between flight assignments, he served as the lead spacecraft communicator for Expedition 30.
Expedition 44 and 45 Missions
During his stay on the International Space Station in 2015, Lindgren conducted two spacewalks alongside Scott Kelly. On October 28, the pair replaced an insulating unit and performed maintenance on the Canadarm-2. A second excursion on November 6 lasted seven hours and 48 minutes, during which they restored the station's cooling system to its primary configuration. He returned to Earth on December 11, 2015, after spending 141 days in space, with the Soyuz capsule touching down on the Kazakh Steppe.
Underwater and Commercial Crew Operations
In 2017, Lindgren served as commander of the NEEMO 22 mission, an underwater habitat project situated off the coast of Florida. This mission acted as an analogue for deep space exploration, focusing on technology for equipment tracking and spaceflight countermeasures. Subsequently, Lindgren supported the commercial sector as a backup crew member for the SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2 and SpaceX Crew-1 missions.
Fast facts
- Born: 1973, Taipei
- Education: United States Air Force Academy, 1995
- NASA Selection: June 2009
- Expedition 44/45 Launch: July 22, 2015
- NEEMO 22 Mission Commander: 2017
- Awards: NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- Languages: English
Questions readers ask
What medical qualifications does Kjell Lindgren hold?
He holds a Doctorate of Medicine, a Master of Health Informatics, and a Master of Public Health.
Which missions did Lindgren support as a backup crew member?
He served as a backup for the SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2 and SpaceX Crew-1 missions.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at Colorado State University, University of Minnesota and United States Air Force Academy
- Worked as military officer, astronaut and surgeon
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