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 February 23, 1959) is a retired NASA astronaut. He launched into space on STS-117. On June 10, 2007, he joined the Expedition 15 crew on the International Space Station (ISS), taking the place of Sunita Williams.
Today, Mr. Anderson is an author and a speaker who inspires others. He also teaches at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. In 2022, he became the leader of the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum.
Contents
Education and Early Life
Clayton Anderson finished high school in Ashland, Nebraska, in 1977. He then went to Hastings College in Nebraska. In 1981, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. He continued his studies at Iowa State University. In 1983, he received a Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering.
Becoming a NASA Astronaut
NASA chose Clayton Anderson to become an astronaut in June 1998. He started his training in August of that year. His training included many things. He learned about the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS). He also trained for flying T-38 jets. Plus, he learned how to survive in water and in 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 was a "CAPCOM," which means he talked to astronauts in space from Mission Control. He also helped with the ISS electrical power system.
In November 2002, Anderson finished training for spacewalks. He was also a backup flight engineer for several ISS missions. These included Expedition 12, Expedition 13, and Expedition 14.
Underwater Training
In June 2003, Anderson took part in the NEEMO 5 mission. This mission happened in the Aquarius underwater laboratory. He lived and worked underwater for 14 days. This helped him prepare for living in space.
Missions in Space
Clayton Anderson spent 152 days living on the International Space Station. He traveled to the station on the Space Shuttle Atlantis. This was during the STS-117 mission on June 8, 2007. He then became part of the Expedition 16 crew.
He returned to Earth on the Space Shuttle Discovery. This was on the STS-120 mission on November 7, 2007. Two photos he took during his spacewalks were even featured in Popular Science magazine.
Fun on the Space Station
While on the ISS, Anderson continued a fun tradition. He held daily "trivia" contests with the Mission Control team on Earth. Another astronaut, Michael Lopez-Alegria, started this. He would play parts of songs or give movie quotes. Then, he would challenge the team to guess the song or movie.
Clayton Anderson put his own spin on it. He used a book of unusual questions. He also played song clips for the ground team. One time, he played "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams for his wife's birthday.
STS-131 Mission
Anderson was also a mission specialist on STS-131. This mission launched in April 2010. The main goal was to deliver supplies and equipment to the International Space Station. They used a special module called a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module for this.
Life After NASA
Clayton Anderson retired from NASA in January 2013. He had served as an astronaut for 15 years. After leaving NASA, he focused on education.
In May 2022, he became the president and CEO of the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum. This museum is located in his hometown of Ashland, Nebraska.
Personal Life
Clayton Anderson was born in Omaha, Nebraska. However, he considers Ashland, Nebraska his hometown. He is married to Susan Jane Anderson. They have a son and a daughter.
Like many astronauts, he is a licensed amateur radio operator. He used the radio station on the ISS in September 2007. He talked with school children from space.
Clayton 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.
Awards and Honors
- Author of Letters from Space (2020)
- Author of It's a Question of Space: An Ordinary Astronaut's Answers to Sometimes Extraordinary Questions (2018)
- Author of A is for Astronaut: Blasting Through the Alphabet (2018)
- Author of The Ordinary Spaceman: From Boyhood Dreams to Astronaut (2015)
- The Jason Award, Children's Square United States (2015)
- Tom Osborne Leadership Award, Leadership Hastings (NE) (2012)
- NASA Spaceflight Medal (2008, 2011)
- NASA Exceptional Service Medal (2008, 2011)
- Russian Federation Medal for Merit in Space Exploration (2011)
- Charles Bessey Medal, University of Nebraska (2010)
- Outstanding Alumnus, Iowa State University (2008)
- Honorary Doctorate Degree from Hastings College (2004)
- Distinguished Alumnus Award, National Council of Alpha Chi (2001)
- NASA Quality and Safety Achievement Recognition (QASAR) Award (1998)
- NCAA National Christian College Basketball Championships Official (1997, 1998)
- JSC Certificate of Commendation (1993)
- Outstanding Young Man of America (1981, 1985, 1987)
- Bronco Award Winner, Hastings College (1981)
See also
In Spanish: Clayton Anderson para niños
