A decorated naval aviator and NASA astronaut who flew on four Space Shuttle missions, including the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.
Scott Altman is a renowned American astronaut, engineer, and naval aviator, best known for his outstanding contributions to the NASA space program, particularly his role in the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. With a career spanning over three decades, Altman has accumulated an impressive list of achievements, including four Space Shuttle missions and over 38 days in space.
Born on August 15, 1959, in Lincoln, Illinois, Altman grew up with a passion for flight and engineering. He graduated from Pekin Community High School in 1977 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the University of Illinois in 1981. During his time at the university, he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
Altman furthered his education by earning a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1990. His academic achievements paved the way for an illustrious career in the Navy and NASA.
After being rejected by the United States Air Force for being too tall, Altman joined the United States Navy in 1981. He was commissioned as an ensign and received his Naval Aviator wings in February 1983. As a member of Fighter Squadron 51, Altman completed two deployments to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, flying the F-14A Tomcat from the USS Carl Vinson.
In August 1987, he was selected for the Naval Postgraduate School/Test Pilot School Coop program and graduated with Test Pilot School Class 97 in June 1990 as a Distinguished Graduate. This marked the beginning of his association with NASA, where he went on to participate in four Space Shuttle missions, including STS-90, STS-106, STS-109, and STS-125.
Throughout his NASA career, Altman accumulated over 38 days in space, logging over 224 hours of spacewalk time. He has also been awarded the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, among other honors.
After retiring from NASA in 2010, Altman went on to become the president of the Space Operating Group for ASRC Federal. He is married to Jill Shannon Loomer and has three children. In 2010, the Pekin District 108 school board honored Altman by naming Scott Altman Primary School in his hometown of Pekin, Illinois.
Altman is also a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and has a sister, Sarah Beardsley, who is the publisher of Venus Zine, a women's music, DIY, and culture multimedia company.
Scott Altman's contributions to the field of space exploration and astronomy have been immense. His involvement in the Hubble Space Telescope missions has greatly expanded our understanding of the universe, and his dedication to the NASA space program has inspired generations of scientists and engineers.
As a testament to his legacy, Altman's name has become synonymous with excellence in astronautics, and his achievements will continue to inspire future generations of space explorers.
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