19 Facts About Rick Husband

Richard Douglas Husband was an American astronaut and fighter pilot.

Rick Husband traveled into space twice: as pilot of STS-96 and commander of STS-107.

Rick Husband is a recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

Rick Husband was born on July 12,1957, in Amarillo, Texas.

When he was 17, Rick Husband earned his pilot's license while flying out of Tradewind Airport.

Rick Husband graduated with honors from Amarillo High School in 1975.

Rick Husband earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University in 1980 after five years of study.

Rick Husband earned his Master of Science degree from Fresno State University.

Rick Husband underwent pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, in Enid, Oklahoma.

Rick Husband was assigned to a squadron at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia, flying the F-4E.

Rick Husband then transferred to George AFB, in Victorville, California in December 1985, where Husband became an F-4 instructor.

In December 1987, Rick Husband was assigned to Edwards Air Force Base in California, where he attended the USAF Test Pilot School class 88A along with future Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield.

In June 1992, Rick Husband was assigned to the Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment at Boscombe Down, England, as an exchange test pilot with the Royal Air Force.

Rick Husband logged over 3,800 hours of flight time in more than 40 different types of aircraft.

Rick Husband was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in December 1994, the same week he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

Rick Husband reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995 to begin a year of training and evaluation.

Rick Husband eventually served as Chief of Safety for the Astronaut Office.

Rick Husband flew as pilot on STS-96 in 1999, and logged 235 hours and 13 minutes in space.

Rick Husband was later assigned to command the crew of STS-107, which was launched early in 2003.