Paul W. Richards

The Pistol Grip Tool, a self-contained, computer-controlled power device used on every NASA spacewalk since 1996, serves as the defining technical contribution of Paul W. Richards. Before joining the astronaut corps, Richards built a career as an engineer at the Goddard Space Flight Center, focusing on hardware development and robotics for orbital missions.

Early Career and Engineering Contributions

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1964, Richards completed his secondary education at Dunmore High School in 1982. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Drexel University in 1987, where he was a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity. He subsequently obtained a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1991. His professional tenure began at the Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station, where he worked from 1983 until his 1987 transfer to the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. At Goddard, he held roles in the Verification Office and the Electromechanical, Robotics, and Guidance and Controls branches. As a senior development engineer for the Hubble Space Telescope servicing project, he oversaw the budget, design, and fabrication of flight hardware.

The Pistol Grip Tool

Richards invented the Pistol Grip Tool, a battery-powered device featuring a 3/8-inch drive. Designed for mission-specific applications, the tool allows astronauts to program torque, speed, and turn limits. A light-emitting diode display provides real-time data on torque application, motor speed, and progress, while also flashing error messages when necessary. The tool functions in a motorized range of 2 to 25 foot-pounds of torque at speeds between 5 and 60 rotations per minute, with a manual override capability of 38 foot-pounds. This hardware logs operational data during extravehicular activities, ensuring precise control for every fastener encountered in space.

Astronaut Selection and Flight Experience

Selected by NASA in April 1996, Richards reported to the Johnson Space Center in August of that year. Following two years of training, he gained qualification as a mission specialist. His initial assignments involved software development for the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station, alongside support for the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory. In March 2001, he served as a mission specialist on STS-102 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. During this mission, which lasted 307 hours and 49 minutes, he performed an extravehicular activity lasting 6 hours and 21 minutes. He later served as a backup crew member for ISS Expedition-7 before retiring from the astronaut corps in February 2002.

Post-Flight NASA Projects

Richards returned to the Goddard Space Flight Center in 2004 as the Observatory Manager for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-R Series), a weather satellite partnership between NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In 2014, he transitioned to Deputy Project Manager for the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration project, which tests laser technology for satellite communication. In 2018, he worked as a Program Executive for the Satellite Communications and Navigation Program, concluding his tenure at the agency in 2019.

Fast facts

• Born: 1964, Scranton, Pennsylvania
• Education: Dunmore High School, Drexel University, University of Maryland
• Spaceflight: STS-102 (2001)
• Total time in space: Over 307 hours
• Total EVA time: 6.4 hours
• Key Invention: Pistol Grip Tool
• NASA Retirement: 2019

Questions readers ask

What was Richards' primary role on the Hubble Space Telescope project?

He served as the Senior EVA Tool Development Engineer and project manager for EVA crew aids, hardware, and tools.

What specific mission did Richards fly on as an astronaut?

He flew on the STS-102 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in March 2001.

Achievements

• Educated at Drexel University and Dunmore High School
• Worked as astronaut