Franklin Story Musgrave occupies a singular position in space exploration history as the only astronaut to have completed missions aboard all five Space Shuttle orbiters. Born in 1935 in Boston, he transitioned from a military background to a career defined by intensive academic pursuit, holding six degrees and accumulating extensive flight experience across diverse civilian and military aircraft.
Academic and Military Foundation
Musgrave enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1953, serving as an aviation electrician and aircraft crew chief in Japan, Korea, and Hawaii. His formal education began in earnest following his military discharge. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and statistics from Syracuse University in 1958, followed by a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1959. His academic trajectory continued with a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from Marietta College in 1960 and a Doctor of Medicine from the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1964. He further secured a Master of Science in physiology and biophysics in 1966 and a Master of Arts in literature in 1987 from the University of Houston–Clear Lake.
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Selected as a scientist-astronaut in August 1967 as part of NASA Astronaut Group 6, Musgrave contributed to the design and development of the Skylab Program. He served as the backup Science Pilot for Skylab 2. His engineering focus extended to the Space Shuttle program, where he participated in the development of extra-vehicular activity equipment, including spacesuits, airlocks, and Manned Maneuvering Units.
Flight Operations and Spacewalks
Musgrave’s flight record includes six spaceflights spanning from 1983 to 1996. During his first mission, STS-6, he conducted the first spacewalk performed from a Space Shuttle. Throughout his career, he accumulated over 53 days in space and nearly 27 hours of extra-vehicular activity. He served as a mission specialist on STS-6, STS-51-F, STS-33, STS-44, and STS-80, and as the payload commander on STS-61. By the time of his retirement from NASA in 1997, he held the record for the oldest person in orbit at age 61.
Fast facts
- Born: 1935, Boston
- Education: Six academic degrees
- Selected as Astronaut: August 1967
- Spaceflights: Six
- EVA time: Nearly 27 hours
- Orbiters flown: Five
- Retired from NASA: 1997
Questions readers ask
How many degrees does Story Musgrave hold?
He holds six academic degrees in fields including mathematics, chemistry, medicine, physiology, and literature.
Is he the only person to fly on all five Space Shuttles?
Yes, he is the only astronaut to have served on missions aboard all five Space Shuttle orbiters.
Achievements
- United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- International Space Hall of Fame
- National Aviation Hall of Fame
- Recorded as astronaut, statistician and aircraft pilot
