During two space shuttle missions, Winston E. Scott logged over 24 days in orbit and performed three spacewalks spanning nearly 20 hours. A career United States Navy Captain, he transitioned from piloting helicopters and fighter jets to serving as a mission specialist for NASA, eventually contributing to the assembly techniques used for the International Space Station.
Early Education and Musical Roots
Born in Miami in 1950, Scott attended George Washington Carver Senior High School before finishing his secondary education at Coral Gables Senior High School in 1968. He was a dedicated trumpet player during his high school years. In 1972, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Florida State University, where he joined the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity.
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Scott entered the Navy via Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1972, becoming a designated Naval Aviator two years later. His military service included flying SH-2F helicopters and F-14 Tomcat fighter jets. He later earned a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1980. As a research and development project pilot, he flew various aircraft including the F/A-18 Hornet and A-7 Corsair II.
NASA Missions and Spacewalks
Selected by NASA in 1992, Scott served on STS-72 in 1996 and STS-87 in 1997. During his first flight, he participated in satellite retrieval and station assembly testing. On his second mission, he executed a manual capture of a Spartan satellite and tested the AERCam Sprint. Across these two voyages, he traveled millions of miles and completed three extravehicular activities.
Public Service and Academic Leadership
Following his 1999 retirement from the Navy and NASA, Scott served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Florida State University and as Executive Director of the Florida Space Authority. He advised state leadership on civil and commercial space policy, advocating for the merger of multiple state agencies into Space Florida. He later held executive roles at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Fast facts
- Born: 6 August 1950, Miami
- Military Rank: Captain
- Flight Hours: Over 5,000
- Space Missions: STS-72, STS-87
- Total Time in Space: 24 days, 14 hours, 34 minutes
- Education: Florida State University, Naval Postgraduate School
- Awards: Order of Merit (Ukraine), 3rd class
Questions readers ask
What aircraft did Winston E. Scott fly?
He piloted 20 different military and civilian aircraft, including the SH-2F helicopter, F-14 Tomcat, F/A-18 Hornet, and A-7 Corsair II.
What was his role in Florida space policy?
As Executive Director of the Florida Space Authority, he consolidated state space organizations into a single entity now known as Space Florida.
Achievements
- Order of Merit (Ukraine), 3rd class
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at Florida State University, Naval Postgraduate School and George Washington Carver Senior High School
- Worked as military officer, astronaut and aircraft pilot
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