Clayton Anderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clayton Anderson
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Anderson in 2009
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Clayton Conrad Anderson
February 23, 1959 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
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| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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166d 21h 10m |
| Selection | NASA Group 17 (1998) |
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Total EVAs
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6 |
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Total EVA time
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38h 28m |
| Missions | Expedition 15/16 (STS-117 / STS-120) STS-131 |
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Mission insignia
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Clayton Conrad Anderson, born on February 23, 1959, is a retired NASA astronaut. He flew into space on the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2007. He joined the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Expedition 15 crew. Today, he writes books, gives inspiring talks, and teaches at Iowa State University. In 2022, he became the head of the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum.
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Becoming an Astronaut
Clayton Anderson finished high school in Ashland, Nebraska, in 1977. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Hastings College in 1981. Later, he received a Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University in 1983.
Joining NASA
Anderson was chosen as an astronaut candidate by NASA in June 1998. He started his training a couple of months later. This training was very thorough. It included learning about the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS). He also had to learn how to fly a T-38 jet and practice survival skills in water and the wilderness.
Before flying to space, Anderson worked on important projects. He helped develop a new warning system for the Space Shuttle. He also supported the Expedition 4 crew on the ISS from the ground. He even worked as a CAPCOM, which means he was the main communicator between astronauts in space and mission control on Earth.
In November 2002, Anderson completed special training for spacewalks (EVAs). He was also a backup flight engineer for several ISS expeditions.
Underwater Training
In June 2003, Anderson became an aquanaut for the NEEMO 5 mission. He lived and worked underwater for 14 days in the Aquarius underwater laboratory. This training helped him prepare for spacewalks. It was similar to working in space because of the challenging environment.
Living and Working in Space
Clayton Anderson spent 152 days aboard the International Space Station. He launched to the ISS on the Space Shuttle Atlantis for the STS-117 mission in June 2007. He then became a member of the Expedition 15 and later the Expedition 16 crews. He returned to Earth on the Space Shuttle Discovery in November 2007.
During his time on the ISS, he performed six spacewalks. These spacewalks totaled over 38 hours. He helped with important tasks outside the station. Some of the photos he took during his spacewalks were even featured in Popular Science magazine.
Fun on the ISS
Anderson continued a fun tradition on the ISS. Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria started daily "trivia" contests with the mission control team on the ground. Lopez-Alegria would play movie quotes or parts of songs. The ground team had to guess the movie or complete the song line.
Clayton Anderson put his own spin on this tradition. He used a book called "Book of Answers" for his trivia questions. He also played song clips for the ground control team. One time, he played a song by Bryan Adams for his wife on her birthday.
After Space Travel
After his amazing career at NASA, Clayton Anderson retired in January 2013. He had served as an astronaut for 15 years. He now focuses on education and inspiring others. In May 2022, he became the president and CEO of the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum. This museum is in his hometown of Ashland, Nebraska.
Personal Life
Clayton Anderson was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but he considers Ashland, Nebraska, his hometown. He is married to Susan Jane Anderson. They have two children, a son and a daughter.
Like many astronauts, he is a licensed amateur radio operator. In September 2007, while on the ISS, he used the amateur radio station to talk with school children on Earth.
Anderson is the first and only astronaut from Nebraska. He is well-known for being rejected by NASA 14 times before finally being accepted in 1998. This shows his incredible determination!
Awards and Honors
Clayton Anderson has received many awards for his work and achievements:
- Author of several books, including:
- Letters from Space (2020)
- It's a Question of Space: An Ordinary Astronaut's Answers to Sometimes Extraordinary Questions (2018)
- A is for Astronaut: Blasting Through the Alphabet (2018)
- The Ordinary Spaceman: From Boyhood Dreams to Astronaut (2015)
- The Jason Award (2015)
- Tom Osborne Leadership Award (2012)
- NASA Spaceflight Medal (2008, 2011)
- NASA Exceptional Service Medal (2008, 2011)
- Russian Federation Medal for Merit in Space Exploration (2011)
- Outstanding Alumnus, Iowa State University (2008)
- Honorary Doctorate Degree from Hastings College (2004)
Images for kids
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STS-107 patch.svg
The patch for the STS-107 mission.
See also
In Spanish: Clayton Anderson para niños
