Astronaut Biography: Lee Archambault

NASA astronaut Lee Archambault, shuttle pilot, poses for an official portrait. CREDIT: NASA.

NAME: Lee Joseph Archambault (Colonel, U.S. Air Force)
NASA Astronaut (Pilot)

PERSONAL DATA: Born August 25, 1960 in Oak Park, Illinois, but considers Bellwood, Illinois to be his hometown. Married to the former Kelly Renee Raup. They have three children. Recreational interests include bicycling, weightlifting, golf, and ice hockey. His parents, Lee and Mary Ann Archambault, reside in Addison, Illinois. Her parents, Linda Post and Henry Raup reside in Royal, Illinois and Tavares, Florida, respectively.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Proviso West High School, Hillside, Illinois in 1978. Earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Aeronautical/ Astronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois-Urbana, in 1982 and 1984, respectively.

ORGANIZATIONS: Order of Daedalians (fraternity of military pilots), University of Illinois Alumni Association, University of Illinois Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering Department Academic Advisory Committee.

AWARDS: Military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Aerial Achievement Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), Commendation Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Force Achievement Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, and various other service awards.

SPECIAL HONORS: Distinguished Graduate and Liethen-Tittle Award (top graduate) from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. Distinguished Graduate from the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School. Graduated with Honors from the University of Illinois. University of Illinois Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering Outstanding Recent Alumnus. Proviso West High School Hall of Fame inductee.

EXPERIENCE: Archambault received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force from the Air Force Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, in January 1985. Upon completion, he attended the Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training Program at Sheppard AFB, Texas, and earned his pilot wings in April 1986.

He then reported to Cannon AFB, New Mexico, where he served as a combat ready F-111D pilot in the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing until April 1990. In May 1990, he transitioned to the F-117A Stealth Fighter in the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing at Nellis AFB/Tonopah Test Range, Nevada. From November 1990 through April 1991, he deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and flew twenty-two combat missions in the F-117A during the Gulf War.

He served a second F-117A tour in Saudi Arabia from August 1991 through December 1991 in support of post-Desert Storm peacekeeping efforts. In August 1992, Archambault was reassigned to Holloman AFB, New Mexico, where he served as an F-117A instructor pilot and operational test pilot for the 57th Wing. Archambault attended the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, California, from July 1994 until June 1995.

In July 1995, he was assigned to the 46th Test Wing at the Air Force Development Test Center, Eglin AFB, Florida. There, he performed weapons developmental flight tests in all models of the F-16. Archambault was the assistant operations officer for the 39th Flight Test Squadron when he was selected for the astronaut program.

He has logged over 4,250 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in June 1998, he reported for training in August 1998.

Astronaut Candidate Training includes orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness survival techniques. In June 1999, Archambault was assigned to the Astronaut Office Shuttle Operations Branch, where he worked on flight instrument upgrades that were incorporated into the Shuttle in 2003.

In September 2001, Archambault was also assigned within the Shuttle Branch to serve as an Astronaut Support Person. In this role, Archambault supported launch and landing operations at the Kennedy Space Center, and was the lead in this role for STS-111 and STS-114. Beginning in October 2004, he picked up duties as a CAPCOM and will serve in this role during daily orbit shifts for STS-121. Archambault is assigned as the pilot on the crew of STS-117.

Last updated: March 2006

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