Doug Hurley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doug Hurley
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Hurley in July 2018
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Douglas Gerald Hurley
October 21, 1966 Endicott, New York, U.S.
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| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
| Rank | Colonel, USMC |
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Time in space
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92d 10h 38m |
| Selection | NASA Group 18 (2000) |
| Missions | STS-127 STS-135 SpX-DM2 (Expedition 63) |
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Mission insignia
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| Retirement | July 16, 2021 |
Douglas Gerald Hurley (born October 21, 1966) is an American engineer, a former Marine Corps pilot, and a former NASA astronaut. He is famous for piloting two Space Shuttle missions. These were STS-127 in July 2009 and STS-135 in July 2011. STS-135 was the very last flight of the Space Shuttle program.
Doug Hurley launched into space a third time as the commander of Crew Dragon Demo-2. This was the first time astronauts launched into space from American soil since STS-135. He and Bob Behnken were the first astronauts to fly on a commercial spacecraft. He was also the first Marine pilot to fly the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet jet. His call sign, or nickname, is "Chunky."
Contents
Becoming an Astronaut: Doug Hurley's Journey
Early Life and School
Doug Hurley was born on October 21, 1966, in Endicott, New York. He grew up in Apalachin, New York. He finished high school at Owego Free Academy in Owego, New York in 1984.
In 1988, he graduated with high honors from Tulane University. He earned a degree in civil engineering. He also did very well in Tulane's Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program. This program helps college students become officers in the Navy or Marine Corps. He also excelled at the USMC Officer Candidates School.
Marine Corps Pilot Career
In 1988, Hurley became a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He joined through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at Tulane University. After college, he went to special training schools for Marine officers.
He started flight training in Texas in 1989. He was a top graduate of the U.S. Navy Pilot Training program. He officially became a Naval Aviator, or military pilot, in August 1991.
Hurley then trained to fly the F/A-18 Hornet jet. He went on three trips to the Western Pacific with his squadron, VMFA(AW)-225. During this time, he also took advanced courses in aviation safety and tactics.
Later, Hurley was chosen to attend the United States Naval Test Pilot School. He started this course in January 1997 and finished in December 1997. As a test pilot, he flew many different types of tests. He became the first Marine pilot to fly the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. Before becoming an astronaut, he had flown over 5,500 hours in more than 25 different types of aircraft.
Joining NASA as an Astronaut
NASA chose Doug Hurley as a pilot astronaut in July 2000. He began his training in August 2000. After two years of training, he worked on important tasks in the Astronaut Office. He helped prepare for Space Shuttle missions STS-107 and STS-121. He also helped with the Space Shuttle landings. He was part of the team that helped investigate the Columbia accident.
He also worked in Russia as the NASA Director of Operations. This role was at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia.
First Space Mission: STS-127
In July 2009, Doug Hurley was the pilot for STS-127. This mission helped build the International Space Station (ISS). The crew delivered parts like the Japanese-built Exposed Facility (JEM-EF) to the ISS. The mission lasted for 15 days, 16 hours, and 45 minutes.
Final Space Shuttle Mission: STS-135
In July 2011, Hurley went to space again on STS-135. This was the very last flight of the Space Shuttle program. He flew on the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The mission delivered supplies and equipment to the International Space Station. It also tested a system to refuel spacecraft robotically. The STS-135 mission lasted 12 days, 18 hours, 27 minutes, and 56 seconds.
After returning to Earth, he worked on new programs for NASA's Flight Crew Operations. In August 2014, he became the Assistant Director for the Commercial Crew Program. This program works with private companies to send astronauts to space.
First Commercial Crew Flight: SpaceX-DM2
In July 2015, NASA announced that Hurley would be one of the first astronauts for U.S. commercial spaceflights. He trained with companies like Boeing and SpaceX. In August 2018, Hurley was assigned to SpaceX-DM2. This was the first test flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. After a successful test, Hurley was confirmed as the flight's commander.
Hurley and his fellow crewmember, Bob Behnken, were often compared to the fictional brothers Bob and Doug McKenzie. This was because of their friendship during the mission. The Crew Dragon successfully launched on May 30, 2020. It docked with the International Space Station on May 31, 2020. The crew joined the ISS Expedition 63 crew. This included NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Russian cosmonauts Ivan Vagner and Anatoli Ivanishin.
The Crew Dragon undocked from the ISS on August 1, 2020. It returned to Earth on August 2, 2020. It splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola, Florida.
Retirement from NASA
On July 16, 2021, NASA announced that Doug Hurley was retiring. He had served the agency for 21 years. NASA administrator Bill Nelson praised Hurley's leadership and expertise. He said Hurley's impact on NASA's space program was very valuable.
Awards and Recognition
Doug Hurley has received many awards for his service. He earned the Stephen A. Hazelrigg Memorial Award. He also received the Meritorious Service Medal. He was given two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals. He also received several NASA Superior Accomplishment Awards.
In May 2021, SpaceX named two of its recovery ships after Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken. These ships, named Doug and Bob, help recover parts of rockets after launch.
On January 31, 2023, Hurley was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. This high honor was given for his role in NASA's SpaceX Demonstration Mission-2 (Demo-2) in 2020.
Personal Life
Doug Hurley is married to Karen Nyberg, who is also a NASA astronaut. They have one son. The family lives in League City, Texas.
Images for kids
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Douglas Hurley, departing the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building before Demo-2 launch.
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ISS and Demo 2 crews after hatch opening
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Robert Behnken, and Douglas Hurley are seen inside Endeavour onboard GO Navigator after splashdown.
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Douglas Hurley prepares to depart a helicopter at Naval Air Station Pensacola.
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Douglas Hurley waves to onlookers as he boards a plane at Naval Air Station Pensacola.
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See also
In Spanish: Douglas G. Hurley para niños
