Over 750 hours in space were logged by Richard James Hieb during his tenure as a NASA astronaut. Born in 1955 in Jamestown, North Dakota, Hieb transitioned from engineering roles in ground-based mission operations to serving as a mission specialist and payload commander on three distinct Space Shuttle flights between 1991 and 1994.
Academic and Early Engineering Career
Before his selection by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Hieb completed his undergraduate studies at Northwest Nazarene College in 1977, earning a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and physics. He continued his education at the University of Colorado Boulder, obtaining a Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering in 1979. Following his graduate studies, he worked on crew activity planning and procedures development. His operational experience included supporting the STS-1 mission from the Mission Control Center, specifically working within the ascent team and during orbital rendezvous phases.
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Hieb became an astronaut candidate in June 1985 and achieved qualification in July 1986. His first spaceflight, STS-39, launched on April 28, 1991. During this mission, he operated the Infrared Background Signature Satellite from the payload bay using the Remote Manipulator System. His second mission, STS-49, marked the maiden voyage of the Space Shuttle Endeavour in May 1992. On this flight, Hieb and Pierre Thuot performed three extravehicular activities to capture the stranded Intelsat VI F3 satellite. The third spacewalk, which included Tom Akers, lasted 8 hours and 29 minutes, making it the first three-person spacewalk and a record-holder for duration at the time. His final mission, STS-65 in July 1994, saw Hieb serve as payload commander for the International Microgravity Laboratory, facilitating over 80 life sciences and materials experiments.
Post-NASA Professional Life
After departing from the space agency, Hieb pursued a career in the aerospace industry. He held positions at AlliedSignal and Orbital before moving to Lockheed Martin, where he spent 14 years as an executive. Currently, Hieb serves as a faculty member in the Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Fast facts
- Born: September 21, 1955, Jamestown, North Dakota
- Education: Northwest Nazarene College (BA), University of Colorado Boulder (MS)
- NASA selection: June 1985
- Space missions: STS-39, STS-49, STS-65
- Total time in space: Over 750 hours
- EVA duration: Over 17 hours
- Total distance traveled: Over 13 million miles
- Current role: Faculty member at University of Colorado Boulder
Questions readers ask
How many spacewalks did Richard Hieb conduct?
He participated in three spacewalks, all of which occurred during the STS-49 mission in 1992.
What was the purpose of the STS-65 mission?
It was the second flight of the International Microgravity Laboratory, focusing on over 80 experiments in materials and life sciences research.
Achievements
- Recorded as astronaut, engineer and university teacher
