Richard M. Linnehan logged over 59 days in space across four missions, accumulating more than 42 hours of extravehicular activity. A veterinarian by training, he bridged the gap between biological research and space flight, contributing to the development of microgravity experiments while serving as a mission specialist and payload commander for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Early Education and Veterinary Training
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1957, Linnehan graduated from Pelham High School in New Hampshire. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences from the University of New Hampshire in 1980, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 1985. He later completed an internship in exotic animal medicine and comparative pathology at the Baltimore Zoo and Johns Hopkins University.
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In 1989, Linnehan joined the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps as a captain. Assigned to the Naval Ocean Systems Center in San Diego, he served as the chief clinical veterinarian for the U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Program. His research focused on drug pharmacokinetics, orthopedics, and anesthesia techniques for cetaceans and pinnipeds to support mobile marine mammal systems in California, Florida, and Hawaii.
NASA Career and Spaceflight
Selected by NASA in 1992, Linnehan trained as a mission specialist at the Johnson Space Center. His flight experience began with the STS-78 Life Sciences and Microgravity Spacelab mission in 1996. He served as payload commander for the STS-90 Neurolab mission in 1998. In 2002, he participated in the fourth Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission, STS-109, and in 2008, he acted as the lead spacewalker during the STS-123 mission to the International Space Station.
Post-Flight Contributions
After completing his final mission, Linnehan transitioned to a management role within NASA, working within the Exploration and Integration branches. He served on the NASA Institutional Review Board and various flight, animal care, and use committees. He also obtained a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2009 and holds an adjunct professor position at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Fast facts
- Born: 1957, Lowell, Massachusetts
- Education: University of New Hampshire, Ohio State University, Harvard Kennedy School
- Primary Occupations: Astronaut, Veterinarian
- NASA Flight Missions: STS-78, STS-90, STS-109, STS-123
- Total Time in Space: Over 59 days
- Total Spacewalks: 6
- Total Spacewalk Time: 42 hours and 11 minutes
- Major Awards: NASA Distinguished Service Medal (2009)
Questions readers ask
What was Linnehan's role during the fourth Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission?
He was a member of the four-man EVA crew on STS-109 and performed three of the five spacewalks, totaling 21 hours and 9 minutes.
How did his veterinary background influence his NASA career?
He participated in missions dedicated to life sciences, such as the STS-78 microgravity Spacelab mission and the STS-90 Neurolab mission, and served on various NASA animal care and use committees.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration and North Carolina State University
- Educated at John F. Kennedy School of Government, Ohio State University and University of New Hampshire
- Worked as astronaut and veterinarian
