19 Facts About Kent Rominger

Kent Vernon "Rommel" Rominger was born on August 7,1956 and is an American former astronaut, former NASA Chief of the Astronaut Office at Johnson Space Center, and a captain in the United States Navy.

Kent Rominger joined ATK Launch Systems Group in 2006 as Vice President of Advanced Programs.

Kent Rominger was born August 7,1956, in Del Norte, Colorado.

Kent Rominger graduated from Del Norte High School in 1974.

Kent Rominger received his commission through the Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program in 1979, and was designated a Naval Aviator in September 1980.

Kent Rominger has logged over 5,000 flying hours in over 35 types of aircraft and 685 carrier landings.

Kent Rominger completed one year of training and qualified for assignment as a pilot on future Space Shuttle flight crews.

Kent Rominger was initially assigned to work technical issues for the Astronaut Office Operations Development Branch.

Kent Rominger served as Chief of the Astronaut Office Shuttle Operations Branch, and Deputy Director, Flight Crew Operations.

Kent Rominger flew as pilot on STS-73 in 1995, STS-80 in 1996 and STS-85 in 1997, and was crew commander on STS-96 in 1999 and STS-100 in 2001.

Kent Rominger served as Chief of the Astronaut Office and professional head of the NASA Astronaut Corps from 2002 to 2006, responsible for the mission preparation activities of all Space Shuttle and future International Space Station crews and their support personnel.

In completing his first space flight, Kent Rominger orbited the Earth 256 times, traveled over 6 million miles, and logged a total of 15 days, 21 hours, and 52 minutes in space.

In completing his second space flight, Kent Rominger orbited the Earth a record 278 times, traveled over 7 million miles and logged 17 days, 15 hours and 53 minutes in space.

Kent Rominger is a member of the Association of Space Explorers, the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Association of Naval Aviation, The Mars Generation, and the Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Society.

Kent Rominger has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.

Kent Rominger is a Distinguished Graduate of the US Naval Test Pilot School and was the Naval Air Test Center Test Pilot of the Year in 1988.

Kent Rominger received the Society of Experimental Test Pilots Ray E Tenhoff Award in 1990, the Jack Northrop Award in 1996, and the Colorado State University Distinguished Service Award in 1997.

Kent Rominger was named West Coast Tomcat Fighter Pilot of the Year in 1992 and was listed in the Top Ten Carrier Landing Distinction in Airwings Two and Nine.

Kent Rominger is an inductee into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.