Stanley G. Love logged over 306 hours in space during the STS-122 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. This 2008 flight marked his first space mission, spanning 12 days, 18 hours, 21 minutes, and 39 seconds as the crew delivered the European Space Agency’s Columbus Laboratory module to the International Space Station.
Academic Background
Born in San Diego on June 8, 1965, Love graduated from Winston Churchill High School in Eugene, Oregon, in 1983. He attained a Bachelor of Science in physics from Harvey Mudd College in 1987. His postgraduate work occurred at the University of Washington, where he earned an M.S. in 1989 and a Ph.D. in astronomy in 1993.
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Before joining the space program, Love held various academic positions, including programming instruction at the University of Oregon and teaching graduate classes at the University of Washington. He engaged in postdoctoral research at the University of Hawaii in 1994 and received a California Institute of Technology prize in 1995. In 1997, he transitioned to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a staff engineer.
NASA Operations
Love entered NASA in June 1998. He served as a spacecraft communicator for numerous station expeditions and shuttle missions, including STS-104, STS-108, STS-112, and STS-132. During STS-122, he completed two spacewalks to prepare the Columbus module and retrieve a faulty gyroscope. Later, he served as lead spacecraft communicator for the Artemis II mission.
Undersea Exploration
In 2011, Love was assigned to the NEEMO 15 undersea mission, though it was curtailed by Hurricane Rina. He later participated in NEEMO 16 in June 2012, piloting the DeepWorker 2000 submersible. During this exercise, he experienced an incident where his vessel became pinned against the support ship Liberty Star.
Fast facts
- Born: June 8, 1965, San Diego
- Education: Harvey Mudd College, University of Washington
- First Spaceflight: STS-122, February 2008
- Spacewalks: 2
- Spaceflight Time: Over 306 hours
- Spouse: Jancy McPhee
- Professional Membership: American Astronomical Society
- Current Status: Management astronaut
Questions readers ask
What is Stanley G. Love's current role at NASA?
As of May 2019, he serves as a management astronaut, focusing on the development of cockpit displays and controls.
Which missions did Love serve as CAPCOM?
He served as spacecraft communicator for Station Expeditions 1 through 7, as well as missions STS-104, STS-108, STS-112, STS-132, and the Artemis II mission.
Achievements
- Educated at University of Washington, Harvey Mudd College and Winston Churchill High School
- Worked as astronaut and astronomer
