Space Shuttle Atlantis carried Michael T. Good into orbit during the STS-125 mission, the final operation dedicated to servicing the Hubble Space Telescope. A colonel in the United States Air Force and a veteran NASA astronaut, Good transitioned from tactical aviation and flight testing to complex orbital maintenance before retiring from the space agency in 2019.
Early Education and Commissioning
Born in Parma, Ohio, in 1962, Good grew up in Broadview Heights and graduated from Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School in 1980. He pursued aerospace engineering at the University of Notre Dame, earning a Bachelor of Science in 1984 and a Master of Science in 1986. Following these academic milestones, he accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Aviation and Flight Testing
Good served as a flight test engineer at Eglin Air Force Base for the BGM-109 Gryphon cruise missile program. He earned his navigator wings in 1989 and subsequently flew the F-111 Aardvark with the 20th Fighter Wing based at RAF Upper Heyford. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in 1994, he accrued over 3,000 flight hours across 30 aircraft types, including the B-2 Spirit and F-15E Strike Eagle.
NASA Career and Orbital Missions
Selected as a mission specialist by NASA in 2000, Good became one of the few Air Force navigators to join the astronaut corps. Beyond his work on the STS-125 Hubble servicing mission, he served as mission specialist 2 for STS-132, which traveled to the International Space Station. He remained with the agency until his retirement on May 31, 2019.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Parma, Ohio
- Education: University of Notre Dame, M.S. Aerospace Engineering
- Military Rank: Colonel
- Space Missions: STS-125, STS-132
- Flight Experience: Over 3,000 hours in over 30 aircraft types
- NASA Retirement Date: May 31, 2019
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the STS-125 mission?
STS-125 served as the final mission dedicated to servicing the Hubble Space Telescope.
Did Michael T. Good serve in the Air Force?
Yes, he was a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of colonel.
Achievements
- Educated at U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, University of Notre Dame and Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
- Worked as military officer, military flight engineer and astronaut
