Gregory Chamitoff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gregory Chamitoff
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| Born |
Gregory Errol Chamitoff
6 August 1962 |
| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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198d 18h 2m |
| Selection | NASA Group 17 (1998) |
| Missions | STS-124/126 (Expedition 17/18) STS-134 |
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Mission insignia
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Aeronautics |
| Thesis | Robust Intelligent Flight Control for Hypersonic Vehicles (1992) |
Gregory Errol Chamitoff (born August 6, 1962) is a Canadian-born American engineer and former NASA astronaut. He has traveled to space twice. He spent six months living on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2008. He also flew for 15 days on STS-134 in 2011. This mission was the very last flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. On this flight, the crew delivered the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and finished building the American part of the ISS.
Contents
Becoming an Astronaut
Early Life and Inspiration
Gregory Chamitoff was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on August 6, 1962. When he was just six years old, he watched the Apollo 11 Moon landing. This amazing event inspired him to dream of becoming an astronaut himself.
Education and Early Work
Chamitoff studied at several top universities. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University in 1984. He then received a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 1985. Later, he earned a Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1992. He also has a Master of Science in Physical Sciences from the University of Houston–Clear Lake.
During his studies, Chamitoff worked on many exciting projects. He helped design flight control systems for the Space Shuttle. He also worked on the control system for the Space Station Freedom, which was a plan for an earlier space station. From 1993 to 1995, he was a professor in Australia. There, he led a team that developed self-flying vehicles.
Joining NASA
In 1995, Chamitoff joined NASA at the Johnson Space Center. He worked on software that helped control spacecraft. NASA chose him to become an astronaut in 1998. He completed his training in 2000 and became a mission specialist.
He worked in the Space Station Robotics branch. He also served as a CAPCOM for ISS Expedition 9. A CAPCOM is the person on Earth who talks directly to the astronauts in space. In 2002, Chamitoff spent nine days living in an undersea research habitat called Aquarius. This was part of the NEEMO 3 mission, which helps astronauts train for space by living in extreme environments.
Missions in Space
Living on the ISS: Expeditions 17 and 18
Gregory Chamitoff spent six months living and working on the International Space Station. He launched into space on Space Shuttle mission STS-124. While on the ISS, he was a flight engineer and science officer for Expedition 17 and Expedition 18. He returned to Earth on Space Shuttle mission STS-126.
During his time in space, Chamitoff brought some unique items with him. He carried 18 sesame seed bagels from his cousin's bakery into space! He also brought a special chess set with velcro. He played chess games against people on Earth, and these games became quite competitive. In 2008, he even voted from outer space.
While on the ISS, Chamitoff and astronaut Richard Garriott filmed the first magic show in space. They also made a science-fiction movie called Apogee of Fear with other crew members. After his mission, Chamitoff started the Zero Robotics competition. This program allows high school students to program robots that fly in space.
Final Space Shuttle Mission: STS-134
Chamitoff flew on STS-134, which was the second-to-last Space Shuttle mission ever. On this mission, he performed two spacewalks. His last spacewalk completed the construction of the International Space Station. This was a huge achievement!
Life After NASA
Today, Gregory Chamitoff is a Professor of Engineering Practice. He teaches aerospace engineering at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. He teaches students about designing spacecraft, human spaceflight, and how vehicles move in space. He has also been a professor in Australia.
Awards and Honors
Gregory Chamitoff has received many awards for his amazing work:
- California Astronaut Hall of Fame
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- NASA Exceptional Service Medal
- NASA Space Flight Medal
- NASA Silver Snoopy award
- Eagle Scout
Personal Life
Gregory Chamitoff is married to Alison Chantal Caviness. They have two children.
He enjoys many hobbies, including scuba diving, backpacking, flying, skiing, racquetball, Aikido, juggling, magic, and playing the guitar. He is also a certified divemaster and a pilot. He loves chess and enjoyed playing games with people on Earth while he was living on the ISS.
Images for kids
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Gregory Chamitoff on the International Space Station (ISS), early November 2008.
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Expedition 17 crew portrait B
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Chamitoff during the final spacewalk of the STS-134 mission.
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STS-134 Mark Kelly, Roberto Vittori and Greg Chamitoff during a break in the Unity node
See also
In Spanish: Gregory Chamitoff para niños
