K. Megan McArthur facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Megan McArthur
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McArthur in December 2007
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| Born | August 30, 1971 |
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| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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212d 15h 21m |
| Selection | NASA Group 18 (2000) |
| Missions | STS-125 SpaceX Crew-2 (Expedition 65/66) |
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Mission insignia
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Katherine Megan McArthur (born August 30, 1971) is an amazing American oceanographer, engineer, and NASA astronaut. She helps astronauts in space by talking to them from Earth as a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM). Megan McArthur has traveled to space on two big missions. One was on the Space Shuttle and the other was on a SpaceX rocket. She is famous for being the last person to work directly on the Hubble Space Telescope using a robotic arm. She is married to another astronaut, Robert L. Behnken.
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Early Life and Education
Megan McArthur was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She grew up in California. She went to St. Francis High School in Mountain View, California.
After high school, she studied aerospace engineering. She earned her first degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1993. Later, in 2002, she earned a Ph.D. in oceanography. This was from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.
Exploring the Ocean
Before becoming an astronaut, McArthur was an oceanographer. At the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, she studied how sound travels underwater. She also learned how to process digital signals.
Her research helped scientists understand the ocean floor better. She led diving trips to collect samples from the sea floor. She also helped test and set up underwater instruments. McArthur even volunteered at the Birch Aquarium. There, she taught people about the California Kelp Forest.
Becoming a NASA Astronaut
NASA chose Megan McArthur to be a mission specialist in July 2000. She started her training in August 2000. She trained for two years to become a full astronaut.
After her training, she worked on technical issues for the Space Shuttle. She also supported the Expedition 9 crew. This crew spent six months living on the International Space Station (ISS). McArthur also worked as a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM). This meant she talked to astronauts from Mission Control on Earth. She was the CAPCOM for STS-116 in 2006 and STS-117 in 2007.
First Space Mission: STS-125
In 2009, Megan McArthur went on her first space mission, STS-125. This mission was very important. Its goal was to fix and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. McArthur was the flight engineer for the launch and landing. She also controlled the robotic arm for the mission.
The mission lasted almost 13 days. McArthur famously said before the flight, "I'll be the last one with hands on the Hubble Space Telescope." In 2019, she became the Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office.
Second Space Mission: Expedition 65/66
In July 2020, NASA announced McArthur would fly to space again. This time, it was on the SpaceX Crew-2 mission. She flew with NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough, JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet. She even used the same seat in the Crew Dragon capsule Endeavour that her husband, Bob Behnken, used on his mission.
Crew-2 launched in April 2021 and docked with the ISS. They stayed on the space station for six months. The crew returned to Earth in November 2021, splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico.
Awards and Recognition
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Megan McArthur has received special honors. In 2022, a SpaceX ship was named Megan after her. This ship helps recover SpaceX Dragon capsules after they return from space. Another ship was named Shannon after astronaut Shannon Walker. Her husband, Bob Behnken, also had a SpaceX ship named Bob in 2021.
Personal Life
Megan McArthur is married to fellow astronaut Bob Behnken. They have one son together. She also appeared as an animated version of herself in the TV show Blaze and the Monster Machines.
See also
In Spanish: K. Megan McArthur para niños
