25 Facts About Susan Helms

Susan Jane Helms was born on February 26,1958 and is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general and NASA astronaut.

Susan Helms was the commander, 14th Air Force ; and commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Susan Helms officially retired from the United States Air Force in 2014.

Susan Helms was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, but considers Portland, Oregon, to be her hometown.

Susan Helms enjoys piano and other musical activities, jogging, traveling, reading, computers, and cooking.

Susan Helms graduated with a bachelor of science in aeronautical engineering from the US Air Force Academy in 1980.

Susan Helms received her commission and was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, as an F-16 weapons separation engineer with the Air Force Armament Laboratory.

Susan Helms received a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University in 1985 and was assigned as an assistant professor of aeronautics at the US Air Force Academy.

Susan Helms was managing the development of a CF-18 flight control system simulation for the Canadian Forces when selected for the astronaut program.

Susan Helms then served as deputy director of operations for Air Education and Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas.

Susan Helms served on the Return To Flight task group after the Columbia accident.

Susan Helms was promoted to brigadier general in June 2006 and became commander of the 45th Space Wing on the same day of her promotion.

Susan Helms served as the director of plans and policy, US Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

Susan Helms was directly responsible to the US Strategic Command commander for the development and implementation of national security policy and guidance; military strategy and guidance; space and weapons employment concepts and policy; and joint doctrine as they apply to the command and the execution of its missions.

Susan Helms was responsible for the development of the nation's strategic war plan, strategic support plans for theater combatant commanders and contingency planning for the global strike mission.

In January 2011, Susan Helms was promoted to lieutenant general and assumed duties as commander, 14th Air Force, Air Force Space Command and commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, US Strategic Command.

In 2013, Susan Helms was nominated by President Barack Obama to become vice commander of the Air Force Space Command.

Susan Helms flew on STS-54, STS-64, STS-78, STS-101 and served aboard the International Space Station as a member of the ISS Expedition 2 crew.

On this flight, Susan Helms served as the flight engineer for orbiter operations and the primary RMS operator aboard Space Shuttle.

STS-78 Columbia, June 20 to July 7,1996, Susan Helms was the payload commander and flight engineer aboard Columbia, on the longest Space Shuttle mission to date.

Expedition 2 March 8 to August 22,2001, was a mission to the International Space Station and Susan Helms was a member of the second crew to inhabit the International Space Station Alpha.

Susan Helms spent a total of 163 days aboard the space station.

Susan Helms returned to Earth with the STS-105 crew aboard Discovery on August 22,2001.

Susan Helms was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 2004.

Susan Helms was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2018.