Robert Behnken

Astronaut

Birthday July 28, 1970

Birth Sign Leo

Birthplace Missouri

Age 53 years old

#198574 Most Popular

About

After ascending to the rank of Colonel in the United States Air Force, this military test pilot worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a Mission Specialist for the March, 2008 STS-123 flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. He also participated in a later Endeavour mission, STS-130.

Before Fame

After receiving degrees in mechanical engineering and physics from Washington University in St. Louis, he earned a doctorate from the California Institute of Technology.

Trivia

He was the recipient of an Air Force Achievement Medal and two Air Force Commendation Medals.

Family Life

He married Hawaiian-born oceanographer and fellow NASA astronaut K. Megan McArthur.

Associated With

In 2012, he succeeded Peggy Whitson as Chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA.