NAME: Steven R. Swanson
NASA Astronaut (Mission
Specialist)
PERSONAL DATA: Born December 3, 1960 in Syracuse, New York, but considers Steamboat Springs, Colorado to be his hometown. Married
to the former Mary Drake Young of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. They have three
children.
He enjoys mountain biking, basketball, skiing, weight
lifting, running, woodworking and spending time with his family. His parents,
Stanley and June Swanson, reside in Boise, Idaho. Her parents, Chan and Martha
Young, reside in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in 1979; received a bachelor of
science degree in engineering physics from the University of Colorado in 1983, and a master of applied science in computer systems from Florida Atlantic University in 1986, and a doctorate in computer science from Texas A&M University in 1998.
SPECIAL HONORS: Recipient of the NASA Exceptional
Achievement Medal, the JSC Certificate of Accommodation, Flight Simulation
Engineering Award, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
EXPERIENCE: Prior to coming to NASA, Steve
worked for GTE in Phoenix, Arizona as a software engineer working on the
real-time software of telephone system multiplexer/demultiplexers.
NASA EXPERIENCE: In 1987, Steve joined NASA as a systems engineer in the Aircraft
Operations Division of JSC working on the Shuttle Training Aircraft. The
Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) is a complex airborne shuttle simulator, which
models the flight characteristics of the Shuttle from 35,000 ft. to main gear
touchdown.
In 1989, Steve also became a flight simulation
engineer on the STA. During his time with the STA, Steve worked on the
improvement of the STA's navigation and control systems and the incorporation
of a real-time wind determination algorithm.
In May of 1998, Steve was selected as an Astronaut
Candidate and started training in August of 1998.
After completing Astronaut Candidate training, which
includes intensive instruction in Shuttle
and International
Space Station systems, Steve was assigned to the Astronaut Office Space
Station Operations Branch.
Steve has also worked in the Astronaut Office
Robotics Branch and is now currently assigned as a CAPCOM (spacecraft
communicator). Steve has also completed the advance training for EVA, the
Shuttle and ISS robotic arms, and Shuttle rendezvous. He is assigned to the crew
of STS-117.
Last updated: February 2006
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