12 Facts About Kenneth Cockrell

Kenneth Cockrell served as Chief of the Astronaut Office from 1997 to 1998.

Kenneth Cockrell graduated from Rockdale High School in nearby Rockdale, Texas, in 1968.

Kenneth Cockrell earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1972 and received his commission in the United States Navy that same year.

Kenneth Cockrell earned a master's in aeronautical systems from the University of West Florida in 1974.

In 1987, Kenneth Cockrell resigned from the Navy and joined the Aircraft Operations Division of Johnson Space Center as a research pilot.

Kenneth Cockrell served as Assistant to the Chief of the Astronaut Office for Shuttle operations and hardware, Chief of the Astronaut Office Operations Development Branch, and Chief of the Astronaut Office.

Kenneth Cockrell served one year as Director of Operations, Russia, in Star City, Russia.

Kenneth Cockrell served as the liaison between the Astronaut Office and the training organization at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City.

Kenneth Cockrell is currently the Assistant Director, Flight Crew Operations, for aircraft operations.

Kenneth Cockrell served as a mission specialist on STS-56, was the pilot on STS-69, and was the mission commander on STS-80, STS-98, and STS-111.

Kenneth Cockrell was reassigned in February 2006 to Flight Crew Operations' Aircraft Operations Division at Ellington Field, as the WB-57 High Altitude Research Program Manager.

Kenneth Cockrell manages NASA's two WB-57F research airplanes and serves as pilot for research flights.