Mark T. Vande Hei concluded a 355-day mission aboard the International Space Station in 2022, marking a significant milestone in long-duration spaceflight research. A physicist and retired United States Army colonel, he transitioned from a military career involving combat engineering to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, where he served as a flight engineer across five separate expedition missions.
Early Education and Military Service
Born in 1966 in Falls Church, Vande Hei attended Benilde-St. Margaret's High School, graduating in 1985. He pursued higher education at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Physics in 1989. He later obtained a Master of Science in Applied Physics from Stanford University in 1999. Commissioned into the United States Army through the ROTC program, he served as a combat engineer in Operation Provide Comfort and later during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His military tenure included an appointment as an assistant professor of physics at the United States Military Academy at West Point and service with the 1st Space Battalion at Peterson Air Force Base. He retired from military duty in October 2016.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →NASA Career and Expedition Missions
Vande Hei joined the Johnson Space Center in 2006 as part of the Army contingent, serving as a communications officer for the International Space Station. Selected for NASA Astronaut Group 20 in 2009, he completed training in 2011. In 2014, he participated in the NEEMO 18 undersea exploration mission aboard the Aquarius laboratory. His first spaceflight, Expedition 53/54, launched in September 2017 via Soyuz MS-06. During this mission, he conducted two spacewalks to maintain the Canadarm2, totaling over 13 hours outside the station. He returned to Earth in February 2018.
Long-Duration Spaceflight and Records
In April 2021, Vande Hei launched on Soyuz MS-18 for a mission that would extend into Expeditions 64, 65, and 66. Originally scheduled for a standard rotation, his stay was extended to support research on the physiological effects of long-term space travel. He ultimately spent 355 consecutive days in space, at that time establishing a record for the longest single spaceflight by an American astronaut. His presence on the station provided operational continuity for NASA during the transition between Crew-2 and Crew-3 personnel. He returned to Earth on March 30, 2022, following the mission.
Fast facts
- Born: 1966, Falls Church, United States
- Education: Saint John's University, Stanford University
- Military Rank: Colonel (Retired)
- NASA Selection: 2009 (Astronaut Group 20)
- Longest Mission Duration: 355 days
- Awards: Legion of Merit, NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal
- Spouse: Julie Vande Hei
Questions readers ask
How long did Mark Vande Hei stay on the International Space Station during his longest mission?
He spent 355 days on the station during his mission that spanned from 2021 to 2022.
What subjects did Vande Hei study during his university education?
He majored in physics at Saint John's University and specialized in applied physics during his master's studies at Stanford University.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration and United States Military Academy
- Educated at Stanford University, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University and Benilde-St. Margaret's
- Worked as astronaut and physicist
