Bob Behnken Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Behnken
Behnken in 2022
Born	Robert Louis Behnken (1970-07-28) July 28, 1970 (age 55) St. Ann, Missouri, U.S.
Space career
NASA astronaut
Rank	Colonel, USAF
Time in space	93d 11h 42m
Selection	NASA Group 18 (2000)
Total EVAs	10
Total EVA time	61h 10m
Missions	STS-123 STS-130 SpX-DM2 (Expedition 63)
Mission insignia

Robert Louis Behnken (born July 28, 1970) is an American engineer and a former NASA astronaut. He also used to be the Chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA.

Before joining NASA in 2000, Behnken was a colonel in the U.S. Air Force. He has a special degree called a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. He flew on two Space Shuttle missions: STS-123 in 2008 and STS-130 in 2010. During these missions, he spent over 708 hours in space. This included 55 hours doing spacewalks! He is married to another astronaut, Megan McArthur.

After the Space Shuttle program ended, Behnken became the Chief of the Astronaut Office from 2012 to 2015. In 2018, he was chosen for a special mission with the SpaceX Dragon 2 spacecraft. On May 30, 2020, he and fellow astronaut Doug Hurley made history. They were the first two astronauts to launch into space on a commercial spacecraft. This mission, called Crew Dragon Demo-2, took them to the International Space Station (ISS). They stayed there for 62 days. While on the ISS, Behnken did four spacewalks with NASA astronaut Christopher Cassidy.

Becoming an Astronaut
- Early Life and School
- Air Force Experience
NASA Missions and Roles
Personal Life
Awards and Recognition
Images for kids
See also

Becoming an Astronaut

Early Life and School

Robert Behnken went to Pattonville High School in Maryland Heights, Missouri. After high school, he studied at Washington University in St. Louis. In 1992, he earned two degrees: one in mechanical engineering and another in physics.

He then continued his studies at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). There, he earned a master's degree in 1993 and a PhD in 1997, both in mechanical engineering. Another future NASA astronaut, Garrett Reisman, had the same professor as Behnken at Caltech.

Air Force Experience

Before going to graduate school, Behnken was part of the Air Force ROTC program at Washington University. After finishing his studies, he joined the Air Force at Eglin AFB, Florida. He worked there as an engineer, helping to develop new munitions systems.

Later, Behnken attended the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in Edwards AFB, California. After graduating, he became a lead flight test engineer for the F-22 aircraft program. He helped plan and conduct test flights for the F-22. He also flew in F-15 and F-16 aircraft to support the F-22 tests.

NASA Missions and Roles

Behnken doing a spacewalk during the STS-130 mission

NASA chose Robert Behnken as an astronaut candidate in July 2000. He started his training in August 2000. After 18 months of training, he worked on supporting Space Shuttle launches and landings at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

In September 2006, Behnken also spent seven days living and working underwater. This was part of the NEEMO 11 mission, which took place in the Aquarius underwater laboratory.

Space Shuttle Missions

Behnken flew on two Space Shuttle missions:

STS-123: In March 2008, Behnken was part of the STS-123 mission. This mission delivered parts of the Japanese Experiment Module and a robotic arm called the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator to the International Space Station. Behnken performed three spacewalks during this mission.

STS-123 crew on board the ISS

STS-130: Behnken's second trip to space was on STS-130, which launched on February 8, 2010. This mission brought the Tranquility module and the Cupola (a special windowed dome) to the International Space Station. He completed three more spacewalks during this mission.

Leading the Astronaut Office

In July 2012, Robert Behnken was chosen to be the Chief of the Astronaut Office. This is a very important job where he was in charge of all the NASA astronauts. He held this position until July 2015. After that, he was selected to train for NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

Historic Commercial Crew Flight

In August 2018, Behnken was assigned to the first test flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, called SpX-DM2. He and fellow astronaut Douglas Hurley became good friends during their training.

The mission successfully launched on May 30, 2020. The Crew Dragon spacecraft docked with the International Space Station on May 31, 2020. Behnken and Doug Hurley joined the Expedition 63 crew on the ISS. They returned to Earth in the same capsule on August 2, 2020. Behnken's wife, K. Megan McArthur, later used the same seat in the Endeavour capsule for her own mission, SpaceX Crew-2.

Behnken retired from NASA on November 11, 2022.

Personal Life

Robert Behnken is married to astronaut K. Megan McArthur, and they have one son. He also has an amateur radio license with the call sign KE5GGX. His wife flew on the Crew-2 mission, using the same Dragon capsule and the same seat he used during his Demo-2 mission. She returned from the International Space Station on November 8, 2021.

Awards and Recognition

Robert Behnken has received many awards and honors for his achievements:

Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Senior, Washington University (1992)
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow (1993–1996)
Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate, Eglin AFB, Company Grade Officer of the Year (1997)
Air Force Achievement Medal (1997); Air Force Commendation Medal (1998, 2000)
Distinguished graduate from the USAF Test Pilot School Program (1999)
Recipient of the USAF Test Pilot School Colonel Ray Jones Award as the top Flight Test Engineer/Flight Test Navigator in class 98B.
In May 2021, SpaceX named two ships after Behnken and his Demo-2 crewmate, Doug Hurley. These ships, named Doug and Bob, help with recovering parts of rockets after launch.
On January 31, 2023, Behnken was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. This was for his important role in NASA's SpaceX Demonstration Mission-2 (Demo-2) to the International Space Station in 2020.

Images for kids

Robert Behnken departing the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building before Demo-2 launch.
ISS and Demo 2 crews after hatch opening
Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are seen inside Endeavour onboard GO Navigator after splashdown.
Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley prepare to depart their helicopter at Naval Air Station Pensacola
Robert Behnken gives a thumbs up to onlookers as he boards a plane at Naval Air Station Pensacola
Megan McArthur of Crew-2 Mission seen using same seat that Bob Behnken used in Demo-2 mission.jpg

Megan McArthur of Crew-2 Mission seen using same seat that Bob Behnken used in Demo-2 mission