USA

Kathryn Hire

(Kathryn Patricia "Kay" Hire)

(Aug 26, 1959)

Astronaut 376

Astronaut of the USA 236

Woman-astronaut 34

Spaceflights 2

Spaceflights

On February 28, 2019, astronaut Kathryn Hire concluded her 30-year career at NASA.

Hire began her career at NASA in 1989. She served as a space shuttle (orbiter) mechanical systems engineer and test engineer, and managed the maintenance of shuttle mechanical systems and rotating access structures at the Kennedy Space Center launch pad. Hire participated in preparing shuttles for flight—spanning the post-landing and ground processing phases through the pre-launch countdown—for more than 40 missions.

In 1995, Hire arrived at the Johnson Space Center as a member of the 15th astronaut class, becoming the first astronaut selected from the Kennedy Space Center workforce. She flew her first space mission in 1998 as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-90), a 16-day mission (Spacelab Neurolab). The seven-person crew served as both test subjects and operators for 26 life sciences experiments studying the effects of microgravity on the brain and central nervous system.

In 2010, Hire flew her second space mission as a crew member on Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-130), a mission dedicated to the assembly of the International Space Station. Together with other crew members, she delivered and outfitted the Node 3 module (also known as Tranquility) and the Cupola—a seven-window observation module that became a key element of the station following its installation. Serving as a mission specialist, Hire operated robotic arms, managed the transfer of 4,500 pounds (approximately 2,040 kg) of cargo, and participated in the installation of water recovery, air purification, and cooling systems, as well as crew exercise equipment, within the Node 3 and Cupola modules.

Between spaceflights, Hire performed various mission support tasks: she served as a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) at Mission Control, was part of the astronaut support team (assisting astronauts with seating and strapping in aboard the shuttle prior to launch), and acted as an astronaut coordinator, helping to develop procedures for commercial spacecraft delivering cargo to the ISS.

Hire also worked at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and the Goddard Space Flight Center, where she was responsible for coordinating interactions with the Department of Defense.

A native of Mobile, Alabama, Hire graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and qualified as a naval aviator. She participated in international airborne oceanographic research missions, flying to 25 countries.

In 1993, Hire became the first woman in the U.S. military to serve on a combat flight crew; she was assigned to Patrol Squadron 62 (VP-62) to fly the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft. During her Navy career, Hire held various leadership positions involving operational missions, research and development, and new technology development. She served in the Navy for a total of 35 years, attaining the rank of Captain.

Hire logged over 3,400 flight hours in various types of aircraft and spent more than 711 hours in space.